To See or Not to See: SYFY’s Hunters

Tonight marks the premiere of SYFY’s Hunter—airing at 10/9c. The excitement for the show has been building since the announcement of Gale Anne Hurd (The Walking Dead) and Natalie Chaidez’s (12 Monkeys) involvement. And, the network’s resurgence with shows like The Magicians and The Expanse further add to the hype. But, does Hunters exceed expectations?

Inspired by the best-selling novel by Whitley Strieber, Hunters follows the story of FBI agent Flynn Caroll (Nathan Phillips, Wolf Creek). After his wife is abducted, he encounters the highly-classified government organization—the Exo-Terrorism Unit (ETU). Reluctantly, he joins, hoping to find his wife. He’s partnered with Regan (Britne Oldford, American Horror Story), a valuable ETU operative with a past. Their job is to track and fight alien terrorists. And, of course, to find Flynn’s wife.

The sci-fi conspiracy thriller will likely satisfy the intended audience. It doesn’t try to re-invent the wheel—which makes the series seem a bit predictable. But, there’s are bright moments for fans of the genre. The creators aren’t shy about showing the alien dissection. And, it’s graphic. Or, I’m a prude. But I’m sure viewers will enjoy it. The sonic weaponry is inventive, as well as the Spotify integration. But, what makes this show intriguing is its characters. Their relationships—particularly Flynn and his family—will appeal to a wider audience. Each character has a complicated past. And, that mystery may be worth tuning in for.