Joe Barton’s adaptation of the Half Bad novel series is a mouthful and a bloody, witchy, Netflix gem.

Netflix's The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself is a fantasy show based on The Half Bad Trilogy by Sally Green. And in true YA fashion, there's a prophecy about a chosen one and a love triangle - which The Bastard Son handles far better than the trite YA love triangles.

The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself follows Nathan (Jay Lycurgo, Titans' Tim Drake), the son of an infamous witch as he's repeatedly monitored, profiled and shunned (even by his sister) over the circumstances of his birth. He later embarks on a journey with his friends - Annalise(Nadia Parkes), a newly-minted witch with explosive power and also his maybe girlfriend; and Gabriel (Emilien Vekemans) a very queer alchemist who's to be their guide. 

 While The Bastard Son is a story about warring witch clans, there is no good side and bad side but simply a matter of whose dinner table you're sitting on while the story is told. The proclaimed big bad wolf is loved by his people while the proclaimed good guys make innocent teenagers sleep in a cage, are highly motivated by hate and are also very easy to hate.

With just eight episodes in the first season, the plot of The Bastard Son is engaging and the pacing is adequate. The show does seem to have a shaky stance on goriness - just how far is it willing to go and what are they willing to show? In one scene, the pummeled face of Niall (Misia Butler)is hidden from the viewer and in the next couple of episodes, we're repeatedly shown the full beauty of Annalise's very bloody power. (Her victims look a little like the Colossal Titan from Attack on Titan just before they go splat on the floor).




Parting Words

Everything comes easy in Netflix's The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself; including, love, enemies and memories that should have been a lot harder to recall. The love story on the show (including the teased poly one!) - which is getting praise for being "unapologetically queer" - is also quite simplistic. Two characters can go from being platonic to suddenly being in love without as much as a wistful look or stolen glances.

Still, it's an interesting watch with an abundance of flashy power and characters we just love to hate. Spanning just 6 hours, it's a good fantasy watch for the weekend and an easy binge.

Rating: 7/10



The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself is currently streaming on Netflix and with the cancellation of fan-favourites Fate; The Winx Saga and First Kill, fans are hoping The Bastard Son doesn't get the axe.