In the post-apocalyptic landscape of Twisted Metal, anything, including a seemingly benign ice cream truck, can be one of a handful of weapons of mass destruction, and your friendly neighborhood clown is likely to be a psychotic murderer. One of the most highly anticipated live adaptations of an iconic PlayStation franchise, Twisted Metal, will hit the screens later this month, and it looks like it will completely live up to the expectations based on the source material.
A recently released trailer is revving up fans by providing them with an extensive peek into what they can expect from the game-turned-television series that will premiere on July 27.
The trailer is an unfiltered, deep dive into the post-apocalyptic world of Twisted Metal, a realm marked by vehicular chaos, sinister clowns, and vast walled cities standing like beacons amidst the desolate wasteland. The trailer promises a wild ride, blending the eerie tones of a dystopian world with the unpredictability of the series’ signature irreverent humor.
Anthony Mackie takes the wheel as John Doe in the TV show, a motor-mouthed outsider making a living as a courier in this unforgiving world. The once-United States is now a hodgepodge of fortified cities, barren wastelands, and the dangerous stretch of roads that link them together. Mackie’s character, entrusted with the perilous task of delivering goods between these cities, navigates the risky roads that few dare to tread. His fortunes take a turn when he’s given an assignment by a certain character, played by Neve Campbell, that might just offer him the chance to finally settle down in a secured city.
Complementing Mackie’s character is a host of colorful personalities including Stephanie Beatriz’s character, a car thief, and Thomas Haden Church’s law enforcer, as well as the intriguing cast of Will Arnett and Joe Seanoa voicing and performing the movements respectively for the deadly clown, Sweet Tooth.
The highlight of the trailer – and likely the series – centers around the dynamic between the chaotic, fast-paced vehicular warfare, and the character-driven narrative that navigates through this madness. The show’s self-aware tone, reminiscent of the Deadpool franchise, permeates the show, enhancing the humor, absurdity, and unexpected moments of levity amidst a bevy of intense, life-threatening chases. Be it Mackie’s character doing donuts around a shopping mall or a character in awe of the artistic flair in Sweet Tooth’s latest beheading, the trailer promises an uncanny blend of violence and absurdity.
The series, penned by Michael Jonathan Smith of Cobra Kai fame and based on an original take by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, has already started to divide fans. Some have embraced the show’s not-so-serious tone, arguing it perfectly suits the frenzied destruction-derby universe. In contrast, others have expressed their skepticism towards the tongue-in-cheek writing. Nonetheless, the consensus seems to be that signature elements, such as the menacing Sweet Tooth, have been faithfully recreated. Will Arnett’s rendition of the character’s voice has also been praised as being uncannily accurate, adding to the overall anticipation for the show.
The Twisted Metal universe is a hybrid mix of Mad Max-like dystopia with a quirky ’90s-inspired humor, creating a surreal yet highly engaging experience. It’s definitely not The Last of Us, but it is an ambitious venture that dares to bring together action, comedy, and video game nostalgia in one high-octane package.
With its array of outlandish characters, the blend of bleak yet humorous dialogue, and the promise of explosive vehicular mayhem, Twisted Metal is teetering on the precipice of uncharted territory in the gaming-to-series landscape. If the trailer is any indication, the show seems set to live up to the memorable chaos of the game, albeit through a fresh lens.
Fingers crossed, Twisted Metal will do half as well as The Last of Us did on HBO. If that happens, we’re pretty sure Sony will have no choice but to speed up the development of the long-rumored Twisted Metal reboot.
Twisted Metal is part of a strong lineup of first-party Sony exclusives that are getting live-action adaptations, which includes Horizon, God of War, more seasons of The Last of Us, and, quite possibly, a sequel to Uncharted.
