If you had superpowers, what would they be? Fans of all things superhero-related probably have a well-thought-out answer to that question. But let’s say you are granted superpowers, but it’s against your will. That’s the premise behind the “coming-of-rage” story, The Imperfects, from the brilliant minds of Dennis Heaton and Shelley Erikson, the creators of the Netflix show The Order.
The Imperfects is a superhero sci-fi series that debuted on Netflix on September 8, 2022. The series provides a much-needed, refreshing, and somewhat bizarre take on what it means to have superhuman powers. The Imperfects may have only run for one season, but that doesn’t mean it’s not bingeworthy (in fact, with its brevity, it’s even more so). Here is why The Imperfects should be your Netflix binge.
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The Imperfects Has a Unique Plot
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One of the best things The Imperfects has going for it is that it gives its viewers a new and refreshing take on YA fiction from the usual adolescent storylines often seen on Netflix. The horror/sci-fi folklore plot follows three college students, Tilda (played by Morgan Taylor Campbell), Abbi (played by Rhianna Jagpal) and Juan (played by Inaki Godoy). Tilda, Abbi and Juan were once part of a gene therapy experiment conducted by Dr. Alex Sarkov (played by Rhys Nicholson), a scientist who provided them with medication to keep the side effects of the gene experiments at bay. However, the trio run out of medication and start developing mutant-like powers that are specifically suited to each of them.
Their new powers are not only unique to them but are based on mythical creatures. Abbi, whose ambition is to be an Oxford scientist, releases pheromones that attract anyone around her, just like a succubus. Needless to say, this wreaks havoc on her life, as all she wants is to be left alone to tend to her studies. Tilda, the lead singer in a punk band, develops a banshee-like shriek and super hearing that results in her not being able to perform. Finally, Juan, who wants to be a graphic novel designer, starts turning into the Chupacabra. When their lives start falling apart, the trio start searching for Dr. Sarkov so that he can provide them with a cure.
Dr Sarkov, however, is nowhere to be found; instead, they find his old partner, Dr. Sydney Burke (played by Italia Ricci), who explains to them that the lab has been closed for years. Dr. Burke is willing to help them, but she can only do it with Sarkov’s help. While visiting Dr. Sarkov’s lab, Abbi, Tilda, and Juan discover that they are not the only ones Dr. Sarkov was experimenting on. The show follows the trio and Dr Burke on their quest to find Dr. Sarkov while battling the government and other monsters. The Imperfects is action-packed, and the twists will keep viewers wondering if the trio will manage to cure themselves, or if they will embrace their new mutant life.
The Perfect Cast of The Imperfects
The Imperfects features a talented cast that makes the show all the more intriguing. Morgan Taylor Campbell, who fans might recognize from her roles in Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, Spooksville, and Power Rangers, plays Tilda Webber. Tilda is a talented singer who develops powers similar to that of a banshee- a mythical creature from Irish folklore that produces a deadly scream. In addition to her banshee scream, Tilda also develops superhuman hearing. Inaki Godoy, who played Bruno in Netflix’s series Who Killed Sara?, plays Juan Ruiz, a fantasy graphic novel artist who turns into the Puerto Rican mythical creature, the chupacabra. When his powers develop, Juan starts killing small animals and his worry that he will eventually kill a person grows.
Rhianna Jagpal, who might be recognized from the movie To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before 3, rounds up the trio of mutants as Abbi Singh. Abbi, whose only focus is to study genetics at Oxford University, becomes a succubus, a mythical creature known to have immense seductive power over men. Her new powers make her release pheromones that attract everyone around her, disrupting her life.
Rhys Nicholson takes on the role of Dr. Alex Sarkov, the scientist responsible for the mutations Abbi, Tilda, and Juan develop due to the experiments he illegally performed on them. However, Dr. Sarkov is not just interested in the trio; he also continues to experiment on other test subjects. Canadian actor Italia Ricci, who starred in Netflix’s political drama Designated Survivor and played Siobhan in Supergirl, takes on the role of Dr. Sydney Burke, a geneticist who helps Abbi, Juan, and Tilda manage their superpowers.
The VFX in The Imperfects Is Not Bad
Visual effects (VFX) are a huge part of storytelling, and they can usually break a TV show no matter how good the plot is. If the effects look terrible, it doesn’t matter how good the script is or how interesting the plot is. These days, the bar is set quite high when it comes to special effects, now that people are used to the awesome visuals of movies like Avatar.
The Imperfects may not be Avatar, but it does a decent job with its VFX. Of course, not everything is perfect, but keep in mind it could have been a lot worse. The series’ visuals are good enough to prevent any eye-rolls and to maintain that suspension of disbelief.
Why Was The Imperfects Canceled After Only One Season?
Season one of The Imperfects ended on a cliffhanger, but unfortunately, fans will be left having to use their imagination as to how the show might have continued. Netflix decided to cancel the show after only one season. There is some speculation as to why the show was canceled, one being that it did not have enough viewership. The Imperfects seemed to do well when it aired, managing to stay in the top 10 of the most-watched English titles for three weeks, but it was all downhill from there. By the fourth week, The Imperfects was no longer in the top 10. Netflix did not market the show well enough, so users might not have known about it.
Despite the mixed reviews the Imperfects has received, it has the makings of a bingeworthy show with its compelling plot, talented cast, and good VFX. All episodes of The Imperfects are available for streaming on Netflix.