Introduction
Channel Zero: No-End House prompts viewers to acknowledge the darker parts of human life that they would rather [ironically] forget.
Season 2 of Syfy’s Channel Zero, a Creepypasta-based horror anthology series, centers around Margot (Amy Forsyth), a young woman that has been traumatized by memories of her father’s death.
Accompanied by her recently reacquainted friend, Jules (Aisha Dee), and two others that leave with them after a party, Margot drives to the No-End House, a haunted attraction that allegedly travels around the world, avoiding the majority of the public eye.
Upon descending further into the rooms, however, it soon becomes apparent that the No-End House is by no means “just a haunted house,” nor is it safe.
Please note that the following review contains spoilers.
Review of Channel Zero: No-End House
If you had the choice, would you rather remember the past or forget all about it?
Channel Zero: No-End House introduces viewers to the distorted world of the No-End House, where intrigued tourists find themselves seemingly trapped and drained of their memories (in the event that they decide not to use one of the early exits).
Those who make it to the sixth room are deceived into believing that they have reached the conclusion of the experience; however, in reality, they have just entered a dangerous replica of their own world — a replica that contains potentially hostile versions of individuals from their own lives.
Each of these individuals, increasingly starving for memories if left unfed, are likely to drain their hosts of their real-world pasts.
Shortly after reaching the sixth and final room of the No-End House, Margot meets The Father, a physically identical replica of her real, recently deceased father, and subsequently becomes attached to him.
Despite her attachment, however, Margot discovers that in order for The Father to adequately live its life, it must feed on her memories.
Ultimately, this introduces somewhat of a moral dilemma to viewers: is it wrong and/or selfish to abandon a living creature that essentially depends on you for survival?
Although the answer to this question within the season’s context may initially seem apparent, it becomes more complicated.
Towards the conclusion of the season, The Father, despite his cannibalistic nature, is revealed to have a humane side.
Margot’s troubling relationship with The Father aside, the season also addresses a scenario that some viewers may have experienced in their own lives: the return of a friend that intentionally disappeared.
Early into the season, viewers learn that Margot’s friend, Jules, hasn’t spoken to her for a long duration of time.
As a result, Margot was forced to deal with the death of her father without the support that she would have benefited from.
That being said, circumstances relating to the No-End House arise in which Jules is provided with an opportunity to either pursue Margot or leave her behind [again].
Directly related to The Father, these circumstances eventually lead to an appropriately emotional conclusion for these three characters.
Pumpkin Rating & Conclusion
4 / 5 Pumpkins
Despite some issues with overall pacing and character development due to the season’s focus on Margot, Channel Zero: No-End House provides viewers with an entertaining and purposeful experience that addresses real-world issues in the context of the horror genre.
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Channel Zero Twitter: @ChannelZeroSYFY
Image Reference: Bloody Disgusting