On the surface, Night Sky had me initially intrigued by a science fiction show starring JK Simmons and Sissy Spacek, and what the show ended up delivering throughout the season was nothing you could have ever expected. It feels like Stranger Things season 1, minus the horror and 80s throwbacks. The first season is a slow burn that has you itching for more when it ends, with some twists and turns you truly do not see coming and a payoff that is more than welcomed. Night Sky is the absolute definition of a slow burn, but there is so much to love and appreciate throughout this series that it becomes a must watch.
Night Sky focuses on Franklin played by the incomparable J.K. Simmons and his wife Irene Sissy Spacek, as they’re living out their twilight years in their house off the beaten path. As they’re both in their golden years, Irene’s health is unfortunately starting to fade. Now nothing seems out of the ordinary about this elderly couple, aside from the fact that under their shed they’re hiding a machine that allows them to teleport to a distant unhabituated planet.
Without giving away too much of the plot, and avoiding spoilers all together, their natural demeanor and resistance to change sets off red flags to their family and neighbours as well as the doctors as to what they’re hiding with their adamant refusal to change. This sets off a series of events that progresses throughout the entire show, with a side storyline that ends up piecing together some of the biggest questions proposed throughout the show. There is so much to unwrap and unpack throughout eight episodes, but due to spoilers and the alike there is only so much that can be said before giving away too much information.
J.K. Simmons and Sissy Spacek have never been better full stop. Their chemistry throughout the show and their performances are sure to garner some Emmy award attention as they deliver absolute magnificent performances. It helps that they are both veterans of the craft and certainly helps elevate the premise and final product that Night Sky delivers too. The way they portray their characters going through every emotion possible is truly captivating and their performances are more than enough to convince anyone to watch the final product as well.
Night Sky is the perfect blend of science fiction, fantasy and mystery that is like an emergency candle throughout a 72 hour blackout. Sure, it takes a while to get there but at the end of its eight hour wick there is so much to be appreciated and loved throughout it all that you’re left in amazement and wanting more by the end. Night Sky delivers everything one could want and then more.
