Dream Doorbegins with low-key tension.
Newlyweds Jillian (Maria Sten) and Tom (Brandon Scott) are settling into domestic life.
They were childhood friends, but Jillian moved away after her fathers philandering led to her parents divorce.
Credit: SYFY
IsDream Doora frightfest about marriage?
Dontgaslightme, Jillian demands in episode 1, invokingthe grandparent of all domestic freakouts.
And then, also: The Door.
SYFY
Well, what wouldyoudo if a door just arrived in your house one day?
E.L. Katz, who directed all six episodes, has some fun staging their meticulous reactions.
Toms best friend Jason (Nicholas Tucci) arrives with a hammer.
SYFY
When that fails, he grabs a shotgun.
Jillian had an imaginary friend when she was young, a clown-like contortionist named Pretzel Jack.
And now, somehow, Pretzel Jack is real and real scary.
The demon-mime makeup job is a marvel, halfway between human and lab experiment.
James had a role on the previousChannel ZeroinstallmentButchers Block, and hell play villainous Rag Doll next month onFlash.
Even buried under makeup and splatters of slasher blood, his performance is a funny-freaky delight.
The story moves outward.
Theres Jillians peevish psychiatrist (Steven Weber).
Theres a great performance by horror favorite Barbara Crampton as a mysterious woman.
Like allChannel Zeros iterations,The Dream Dooris based on internet-y short stories.
Creator Nick Antosca has transformed that tale into a weirdening twisty-turn narrative.
Best not to overthink it, especially when the gooey-gloopy effects work coughs up memorable body-horror set pieces.
Beyond Pretzel Jacks appearances, some of the early episodes move a bit too gradually.
The budgetary seams show, though past a certain point thats part of the fun.
I hope theres more.
Pretzel Jack needs friends!
Just look at him!
Seriously, LOOK AT HIM.
The first episode ofChannel Zero: The Dream Dooris currently streaming on Syfy.
The premiere airs Friday at 11 p.m. on Syfy, with new episodes released nightly through Halloween.
