Sam Raimi and Quibi offer a fresh take on horror series with the project "50 States of Fright."

The platform Quibi is gradually gaining momentum, and one of the most notable projects released on its platform is the web series Sam Raimi's "50 States of Fright".

As you might guess, the episodes of the show are dedicated to individual states of America, specifically the folk tales of each region. We tell you how interesting and fresh it all looks.

Compact Storytelling

Since "50 States of Fright" is a web series, its episodes have a short runtime. Even the longest episodes here last no more than 10 minutes.

Why such a decision? Perhaps it is due to the pace of modern life and the current speed of content consumption, where 15-second videos on social media set the tone. Maybe the authors wanted to pack bright and catchy stories into the tightest possible framework, without wasting time on trifles. Either way, it works.

Memorable Stories

The creators of the show have achieved a lot — a swift but not rushed plot delivery, truly gripping cliffhangers, not the most clichéd "boo" moments, but most importantly — interesting stories. They don't shine with super originality and in some ways resemble Stine's "Goosebumps" or some Stephen King stories, but they turned out to be strange in places, bright and memorable in others. Where else in the modern world will you see a story about a girl with a golden hand or a taxidermist meeting a human-like monkey? Add to this local American folklore and you get an intriguing recipe for an effective horror.

Sam Raimi Returns to His Roots

One of the creators and ideological inspirations of the project was Sam Raimi, who made a name for himself making horror films. In the series "50 States of Fright," the iconic director personally wrote (together with his brother Ivan) and directed the debut episode, dedicated to a Michigan tale about a girl with a golden hand prosthesis. In this episode, Raimi fans will notice his signature style from the time of "The Evil Dead," thanks to which what happens on screen is both frightening and funny.

Star Casting

Despite the atypical runtime for big stars, the project "50 States of Fright" managed to attract actors such as:

• Travis Fimmel ("Vikings," "Warcraft");
• Rachel Brosnahan ("The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel");
• Asa Butterfield ("Sex Education," "The Time Keeper");
• Ming-Na ("Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.");
• Taissa Farmiga ("American Horror Story," "The Mule").   

Is "50 States of Fright" Worth Watching?

The Quibi project is a specific product. Very short episodes, stories stretched over 2 or 3 episodes, different directors, different atmospheres — all this suggests that recommending the reviewed series to someone is not the most rewarding task. At the same time, fans of Sam Raimi, lovers of a good scare, and connoisseurs of unambiguous but vivid stories may find the series "50 States of Fright" to their taste.

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