Devs by Alex Garland, creator of Ex Machina and Annihilation, is the first contender for series of the year.

Alex Garland, who has become one of the most inventive directors of live-action cinema in the last decade, decided to try his hand at the series format. The result is not quite a series, but a captivating 8-hour film, cleverly divided into episodes, titled Devs. Did the director of Ex Machina and Annihilation manage to once again surprise viewers with a blend of science fiction, drama, and philosophy? Spoiler: he absolutely did.

Detective Setup

At the center of the plot is a high-tech company called Amaya, where lovers Sergei (Karl Glusman) and Lily (Sonoya Mizuno) work. The company is run by an eccentric genius with a Christ-like appearance, Forest (Nick Offerman), who one fine day invites Sergei to become part of a secret division called Devs. Instead of being happy for her loved one, the girl begins to feel anxious, as her partner disappears without a trace on the second day of his new job.

Deceptive Simplicity

To captivate viewers, Garland, who personally wrote and directed all 8 episodes of the show Devs, spins a detective intrigue from the very beginning. But this move should not mislead you, as the main intrigue in this story does not hinge on finding the answer to the question: "Who is to blame?" The author seems to try to hook the viewer with simple methods, and then offer them the main course, the ingredients of which you will want to explore on your own.

From Science to the Impossible in One Step

Alex Garland invites viewers to dive into a world of science fiction, where every seemingly impossible step has a quite convincing justification in the form of scientific theories. You may not be familiar with the names Everett, de Broglie, and Bohm before watching the series, but after seeing it, you will likely want to familiarize yourself with their works, as their thoughts and ideas appear extremely fascinating.

The creator of the series, through the words and actions of the characters, reflects on complex and expansive topics, such as the principles of determinism, questions of free will and religious beliefs, or the existence of multiverses. We are repeatedly offered appetizing food for thought without obvious conclusions from the narrator.

Some characters agree with the theories and assumptions put forward, while others do not take them on faith, trying to find common sense in everything. The same is suggested to the audience, especially those tired of the superficial chewing gum seen in every second sci-fi series.

Obligatory Symbolism

The unhurried narrative chosen by Garland is not only an excellent way to create an anxious and almost hypnotic atmosphere but also a wonderful opportunity to fill the frames with symbolism. Here and there, you can notice the author's "wink" to attentive viewers. Let's be honest, even the project's title contains an "inside joke." Such moments may irritate some, but on the other hand, the symbolism here is presented unobtrusively and does not play a key role in understanding what is happening, but merely frames the story, adding extra touches to it.

Mesmerizing Spectacle

The series Devs (also known as "Programmers" in the Russian localization) was shot by cinematographer Rob Hardy, a regular collaborator of Alex Garland, who filmed the aforementioned Ex Machina and Annihilation. Here, he once again managed to create a uniquely beautiful image that contributes to shaping the necessary mood no less than the ambient music that plays from time to time.

Hardy skillfully alternates perfectly symmetrical shots with close-ups, inventive camera flyovers with static scenes. Literally, every frame in this series could be used as stylish desktop wallpaper.

The frequent use of close-ups also helped the actors to fully reveal their potential. Nick Offerman excelled the most, shedding his traditional comedic persona from Parks and Recreation and creating one of the most remarkable characters on TV in recent years.

Should You Watch the Series Devs?

If the previous lines have not convinced you, let's be blunt: Devs is the best series of spring 2020, initially a bit difficult to grasp, but delivering immense pleasure by the end of the last episode, which dots all the i's but leaves room for personal conclusions and reflections.

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