The fantasy genre has been beloved for generations, as escapes into magical worlds create some of the most captivating and enthralling stories. Audiences have also been enraptured by theheart-racing thrills of horror, finding twisted enjoyment in challenging their fears and entering the unknown. Few can challenge the popularity of crime procedurals, with shows likeNCISandLaw and Orderstanding as some of the most enduring series on television. While these three genres seem entirely separate from one another, fans aren’t as likely to be so unilateral in what they watch. Most viewers often have to decide whether they’ll be tuning in to aLord of the Ringsmarathon, aStephen Kingfeature, or a long-running detective series — but what if someone wants an experience that includes a bit of each? Fans of all these mediums should be excited to discover thatthereisa show that combines all the best features of these genres into one exciting package. One of the more underrated television series from the mid-2010s,Grimmcombines fantasy and horror elements with a classic police procedural formatto make for one of the most memorable and unique network television shows ever made. But be warned; much like the fairy tales this series takes inspiration from, there are hard lessons and challenging reflections for those who discover the world of the Wesen.
The Grimm Protect the Balance Between the Mortals and Wesen
Set in gorgeously woodsy Portland, Oregon,Grimmfollows Nick Burkhardt (David Giuntoli),a homicide detectivewhose life becomes far more complicated when he discovers that he isa Grimm, an ancestral line of monster hunters tasked with protecting humans from Wesen, magical creatures that can take the form of humans. As if his day job weren’t complicated enough, throughout the series, Nick must manage his career as a homicide detective alongside his newfound responsibilities as a Grimm; a task further complicated by the many gray areas that Wesen inhabits, as they are not always guaranteed to be the bad guys in the story. Though many Wesen (which means “creatures” or “beings” in German) live alongside humans without most people ever knowing,there are those that have more nefarious desires and vicious instincts. Faced with the mercurial challenge of protecting human lives while discerning friend from foe, Nick’s most heroic qualities are demanded, lest he fall prey to darkness himself.
As the show’s title suggests, the series takes heavy inspiration from the Brothers Grimm, a pair of German authors who chronicled and published countless folklore and stories that have since been entrenched in public knowledge. Fairy tales such asCinderella,Hansel and Gretel, andLittle Red Riding Hoodall owe the publication of their stories to the two writers. In homage to these iconic stories,each episode in the series begins with a quote from a fairy tale that corresponds with the type of Wesenfeatured in the episode, giving a hint to the viewer about what magical creature awaits Nick in the shadows. While these fables have become part of the cultural zeitgeist thanks to their moresanitizedDisneyadaptations,Grimmtakes an approach far more similar to the German writers with some of its more brazen brutality. This stark difference is best exemplified by arguablytheDisney Princess herself,Cinderella, whose early folkloric origins involve her step-sisters literally cutting off parts of their feet in attempts to fit into the glass slipper. And when their ruse is uncovered, the step-sisters' cruelty is paid back in like as they are blinded by Cinderella’s doves. Even if the message of these fables is ultimately for children, they carry an overarching aura of danger that islost in their animated adaptations but brought to life in striking detail inGrimm.
The Wesen Are Inspired by Grimm’s Fairy Tales and Other Folk Creatures
The fantasy element of the show is centered around the Wesen. However, when using their powers or experiencing intense emotions, Wesen naturally “woge” back into their supernatural form. This provides two complications for most humans, as only Grimm can see Wesen, and the creature’s bodies naturally revert into human form when they pass, maintaining the secrecy of their existence. While some of the computer special effects can look dated at times,the majority of the Wesen fully hold up with modern series, continuing to appear as menacing and unnerving as originally intended.The special effects team used a combination of prosthetics, sculpting, and real fake hairto create the Wesen costumes. The practical costuming is a horror fan’s dream, as the sheer variety of different approaches to the monsters are quite creative and notable artistic achievements. One Wesen might have rubbery leather skin, another bristling spines, and another might still be swaddled in fur. The Wesen have a tactile feel to their design, which keeps the series grounded in live-action but makes the creatures feel even scarier. Even more impressively, they designed and built these costumes each within a few days, outpacing other production teams to keep up with the number of Wesen needed for such an expansive series.
The majority of Wesen inthe series are based on European folklore, most of which are inspired by the creatures inGrimms' Fairy Tales, such as theBlutbaden, based on the wolf fromLittle Red Riding Hood. However, in the canon of the show, however, it’s the Wesen that inspired the Brothers Grimm, the inverse of our own reality. Amusingly, the Grimm siblings weren’t monster hunters themselves, but they nonetheless compiled stories that they had learned about these creatures with such effectiveness that they still became the namesake of Nick’s ancestral line. Though most of the Wesen are inspired by European stories, they are not exclusive to that part of the world. Several otherWesen are inspired by mythical creatures from around the globe, such as theAswang, a terrifying blood-sucking creature from the Philippines, or theAnubis, a powerful jackal creature based on Egyptian mythology.
While the folklore origins of these creatures represent the fantasy element of the show, they are also the reason that the show is as terrifying as any other horror on TV. The Wesen are creepy, full stop.The designs of the Wesen aredark and twisted imaginings of their origins, with appearances that range from furry to scaly to leathery, all serving to make a myriad of creepy and terrifying creatures. Even the “cutest” Wesens have a degree of uncanny otherworldliness that makes them unnerving to look at. However, despite most of their nightmare-inducing appearances, the series goes to great lengths to emphasize thatnot all Wesen are cold-hearted, murderous creatures. The Wesen adhere to rules set by a council and can otherwise coexist alongside humans. The Grimms' responsibilities aren’t actually to exterminate all Wesen, but rather to protect the balance with humanity and keep people safe from the violent exceptions.
The 40 Best Horror TV Shows on Netflix Right Now
Looking for a streaming scream? You’ve come to the right place.
‘Grimm’ Combines Fantasy and Horror with Detective Drama
By combining elements from both fantasy and horror,Grimmbecame an incredibly successful, albeit underrated, television series from the mid-2010s.Grimmran for 6 seasons and hadover 100 episodes, developing a catalog of Wesen that is as extensive as it is terrifying. One of the ways it accomplished such a feat was through its framing as a detective drama. Nick’s career as a homicide detective isn’t just a simple day job that he waves away, but an integral part of his character and one of the main pathways he uses to protect people from violent Wesen. Paired with his partner Hank (Russell Hornsby), Nick bridges the gap between a traditional cop procedural with eerie fantasy folklore. Butthe world ofGrimmdoesn’t just stick to a “monster of the week” format, however, with new factions and a plethora of new characters expanding the scale of the series to a far greater degree than its earliest episodes. Nick becomes fully immersed in the world of the Wesen; one that spans the entire globe. Though the series is still mostly set in the Pacific Northwest, there are plenty of international visitors that make the Wesen’s world feel truly expansive and ancient.
While much of the show’s success can be credited to its appeal to fans of multiple genres, the heart of the series is Nick and his relationship with the Wesen. Though Grimms are feared by the Wesen,Nick is unique among the lineage of monster huntersbecause he develops genuine, positive relationships with many of the creatures.Nick’s goal isn’t to exterminate all the Wesen, but rather ensure that they can coexist with humans. He’s far more likethe AvatarfromAvatar: The Last Airbenderthan a traditional monster slayer. One of Nick’s earliest allies is a Wesen, who remains one of his most steadfast friends and even asks him to be the best man at his wedding.The nuance and variety of these creatures extend beyond their mythical inspirations, and the willingness of the main character to speak with them adds another layer of things to like about this series. It’s human nature to be fearful of the unknown, but Nick’s camaraderie with the Wesen reminds viewers not to be trapped behind such limiting preconceptions. It’s also human nature to learn, grow, and connect, all of which Nick experiences alongside the Wesen as he becomes their protector.
‘Grimm’ Isn’t Afraid To Get Scary
Some of the computer special effects of the Wesen may initially appear dated, butGrimm’smost terrifying horror aspects aren’t compromised at all. The series doesn’t have the most audacious amounts of gore, but it makes up for the quantity of blood with just how viscerally scary each creature is portrayed. All the Wesen are humanoid creatures which, admittedly, could be because of production costs, but it also creates a familiarity with audiences that proves to be unnerving rather than comforting. The eerie, uncanny valley nature of the Wesens' designs not only creates more of an overarching unease for viewers but also helps giveGrimma recognizable atmosphere that separates it from other shows. The Wesen come with various terrifying traits, each seemingly plucked from a person’s nightmare, ensuring that even the most daring horror aficionados will have something to fear.
The combination of supernatural Wesen horror and homicide crime drama makes the show uniquely scarier than each individual genre. A kidnapping or a murder is already inherently terrifying for audiences to watch, but mixing in the supernatural makes it a multi-faceted experience. There are plenty of creatures reminiscent of traditional monsters like werewolves and vampires, butthe series is daring enough to go further than any other network television show.Take, for example, the Aswang, one of the Wesen based on an Asian folkloric creature.The Filipino mythrecounts that the creature not only enjoys the taste of blood but has a gut-wrenching preference for the fetuses in pregnant women. It’s one of the most blood-curdling monster myths in existence, establishing the caliber of horrorGrimmis willing to inhabit. If your standard visceral murder isn’t scary enough, thenGrimm’ssupernatural gore is the next escalation of television horror. Whether you’re a fan of horror, fantasy, or a classic detective show, viewers are sure to find something to love aboutGrimm.
Grimmis available to watch on The CW in the U.S.
Watch on The CW
