‘Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin’ Review: A Horror Romp That Will Leave You Hooked

Before all the twins and bizarre supernatural spinoffs, Pretty Little Liars answered a base audience desire. People love to watch seemingly prim and proper women behaving badly, particularly when those women in question are young and conventionally attractive. The ABC Family — and later Freeform — series delivered that in spades. It’s that same basic premise that HBO Max’s Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin emulates, only this time around, there is a slasher twist. Original Sin may not be as instantly addicting as its predecessor, but anyone who loves high school thrillers about pretty girls being mean is going to be hooked. It’s The Breakfast Club meets Scream, and it’s a breezy blast that’s perfect for summer.

This time around, the mean girl mysteries are twofold. In modern day, five girls from different walks of life find themselves targeted by a slew of odd texts from someone only known as “A.” Assuming these messages originated from their school’s queen bee bully Karen Beasley (Mallory Bechtel), they band together to take Karen down. But the more time this group spends scheming and rallying against “A,” the more they realize”A” may actually be related to a tragic night that haunts each of their mothers. The series proceeds from there, flipping between our lying protagonists trying to piece together this puzzle and flashbacks to past versions of their mothers doing much of the same thing.

There’s no doubt that Original Sin is more interested in horror than the original series. In the first five episodes that were provided to critics, “A” appears several times, always as a hulking, masked figure lurking in the distance. There are also near constant horror references, often coming from the mouth of film fanatic Tabby (Chandler Kinney). A timely double screening of Jordan Peele’s Get Out and Us becomes a major series plot point. Characters often quip about Michael Myers and Carrie White as they sneak through deserted houses and hide in darkened corners. These references often serve to undercut the tension of Original Sin’s scarier moments, infusing it with a sweeter, comedic undercurrent that makes the entire series feel snappy.

Yet it’s the dynamics of the central group that makes this new series so interesting. The original Pretty Little Liars revolved around a group of former friends bound by their leader, who disappeared. Even when things got thorny, there was a central basis of trust for Aria (Lucy Hale) and the gang. Original Sin doesn’t have that. Instead, what it gives viewers are five young women who are initially only connected through their mutual hatred of Karen: Tabby, the film nerd; Noa (Maia Reficco), the track star right out of juvie; Imogen (Bailee Madison), the pregnant teenager with a recently deceased mom; Faran (Zaria), a determined ballerina; and Mouse (Malia Pyles), an internet-obsessed loner. It’s not exactly a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess, and a criminal, but it’s close.

With the exception of Tabby and Imogen’s relationship, starting with these characters as acquaintances rather than friends serves two purposes. Instantly, it makes the dynamic of this new friend group interesting. Each little liar in Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Lindsay Calhoon Bring’s thriller is distinct enough that you immediately understand her worldview. That turns each hurdle and conflict into a strategy game of sorts. Who’s going to get mad at who? What unlikely friendships will form? Who will emerge as the leader, and who will eventually challenge her?

But more than that, this newly developed friend group casts an air of uncertainty over the entire series. Sure, these women may be joking and threatening to end Karen now. But when things heat up, as they always do in this franchise, the different personalities that make this group an effective team starts to backfire. When potential murder is at stake, how much can you trust your new vengeful friends? This question looms large over the series, infusing even the silliest scenes with dread.

In the grand television tapestry of manipulative teen girls, Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin isn’t revolutionary. But it is fun. Original Sin reworks the central themes and mysteries of the first series just enough to turn this tried-and-true premise into an all-out horror romp. No lie.

The first three episodes of Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin premiere on HBO Max Thursday, July 28.