Throng

The hype is true: TV2's The Cult really is an incredible TV show.

A group of us sat down tonight to watch the pilot and we were all in agreement: this is going to be the next big show on TV.

Here's three reasons why:

Beautiful cinematography: an understatement

This is one of the most beautifully shot TV shows I've ever seen.  Watching the show on a projector, we felt like we were watching a film which would win awards for its style.  I can already envisage "The Cult" tours to the gorgeous locations and people wanting to know where the sweeping shots were filmed.  New Zealand's bush has never looked more green or lush.

The attention to style is outstanding.  From the opening moments showing an ultra-close up of a typewriter, to the sleek minimal modern architecture reminding me of sci-fi film like Gattaca to the international-looking supermarket (Nosh) and the black and white costumes: everything firmly said international, big budget, and dare I say it in relation to television: art.

Oh and even the product placements (Nokia phone and Mercedes car) were extremely tastefully done.

The mystery

While we all found the first ten minutes confusing and disjointed, by the end we were firmly hooked and wishing we had episodes 2 and 3 to continue watching.  We were left with plenty of questions and already had debates about our theories as to what's going on. The show could explore so many different tangents and back stories for the characters.  There's a very real haunting and a little scary atmosphere.

There's been lots of comparisons to Lost and I can see why.  What's really going on?  Who is that?  Where did he go?  Where did she come from?  Who sent that?  How long has this been going on?  What's their plan?  Will they succeed? What's the story with that relationship?  Ew, why did that do that?  Oh and what the?!

The solid casting

If you're like me and still pine for Dr. Craig (Renato Bartolomei) from Shortland Street, you'll be pleased to know he's one of the stars of the show.  There's even some eery comparisons to his time on Shortland Street (cue hospital scene and scenes reminicient of his death on the show).

Other Shortland Street alumni include Dwayne Cameron (Gerald's gay friend Lindsey Reynolds), Danielle Cormack (Alison Rayner Warner), Kip Chapman (Eltham Wilson) and William Wallace (Aiden Sullivan).

Other fantastic actors include Lisa Chappell, Sara Wiseman, Kate Elliot and Scott Wills.

Overall thoughts

The show is stunning visually and incredibly intriging.  If anything, it starts off a little slow and confusing but is well worth your time.  There's no cringe factor and, aside from the scenery, just doesn't feel like a Kiwi production: this is a world-class production from start to finish.

Kiwis celebrate: The Cult is going to recruit masses.

The Cult starts Thursday September 24 at 8:30pm on TV2.

Update: here's two "promos" on YouTube:

And two more