Science fiction is a genre on the rise, and Prime Video is home to a couple of standout shows. Art books have been a special source of inspiration, with Electric State on Netflix recently taking its cues from a conceptual text of its own. Prime Video has equally found a source of promise, one that is packed full of stunning stories to tap into.
Tales From the Loop, which provides inspiration for the streaming service’s 2020 TV show, with the visionary Matt Reeves taking on the tall task of bringing these images to the screen. Fans of the sci-fi genre should make their way to Prime Video to check out a series that both respects the history of this storytelling style and brings something new to the table with a visually-led spectacle.
Tales From the Loop Explores a Classic Sci-Fi Art Book
Tales from the Loop artwork by Simon StalenhagImage via Free League Publishing
Back in 2015, Simon Stålenhag released an art book titled Tales From the Loop. It imagined an alternative history, one where robotics were prevalent throughout civilization. The art book would form the inspiration for a role-playing game, which opened up the world further with Stålenhag’s gorgeous illustrations, prompting plenty of narrative scenarios. The name might actually sound familiar, considering it is Stålenhag, who is also behind The Electric State.
In 2020, a single season of Tales From the Loop was commissioned for Prime Video, a focused narrative that brought this imagined world to life. The show was clearly dead set on recreating many of the images on the page, and the cinematography was truly stellar. Many of the shots looked as if they were paintings in their own right, the series taking its time and often leaning into the ‘show, don’t tell’ rule. Those looking for a series driven by conceptual promise would likely find a lot to love here, with Tales From the Loop working at a slower pace.
The show itself is set in the fictional town of Mercer, in Ohio. It follows the interconnected lives of the town’s residents, who live in fear and amazement of the Loop facility operating in their area, which seeks to make the impossible possible. The show asks questions about the role of technology in modern life, while acting, partially as a mystery piece, as residents learn more about the experiments. Some sci-fi shows are about the world-building and the ideas themselves. Tales From the Loop is far more about the reaction to those concepts. As the mysteries of the universe reveal themselves, there is much to be said about the impact that has on ordinary lives.
Matt Reeves Is In His Element With Tales From the Loop
A robot outside a house in Tales from the LoopImage via Prime Video
Tales From the Loop features a cast of veteran performers who bring a sense of depth and nuance to the piece. Rebecca Hall, Paul Schneider, Daniel Zoghadri, and the legendary Jonathan Pryce are just some examples of the leads. In a show like this, reaction shots are key, and each performer is able to capture a genuine sense of dread, curiosity, and excitement about the things they are witnessing. These are ordinary, human characters dealing with the extraordinary, and that balance must be well-struck.
Nathaniel Halpern helped develop the show and is backed by an executive producer who has quickly made a name for himself by defining modern science fiction. Because it is Matt Reeves who lends his own helping hand here, guiding the show into safe waters. His Planet of the Apes movies, for example, were able to ask big questions of humanity, and some of those moral dilemmas resurfaced in Tales From the Loop.
Matt Reeves is in his element here, a master of the genre, truly understanding the niche avenues that still require exploration. Tales From the Loop was rightfully given critical acclaim, with an 87% on Rotten Tomatoes highlighting its widespread appeal. Comparables might be the likes of Westworld, but Tales From the Loop is also totally singular in its design. It is a show that invites more content to contemplate its own questions. Although there are plenty of intriguing character arcs, the most mesmerizing thing is how the show has made such a coherent statement about such bizarre and interesting art pieces.
