Quick Info
If you’re after mystery with a capital “M,” The OA is honestly one of the most ambitious and puzzling shows I’ve watched in recent years. The story starts with a young blind woman, Prairie Johnson, who comes back home after disappearing for seven years—only now she can see. From there, the show plunges you into a web of strange memories, secret experiments, and reality-twisting theories, all wrapped in haunting visual sequences. It’s hard to describe the plot without giving away too much, but it’s a slow unravel of secrets rather than cheap thrills.
What really stands out is how The OA mixes genres: it’s part supernatural thriller, part philosophical puzzle, and part emotional family drama. The show is constantly throwing you curveballs, both in the storytelling and through its unique, almost dreamlike atmosphere. The cinematography is gorgeous, especially when it leans into those surreal sequences—the unsettling, muted palette often makes mundane scenes look otherworldly.
The performances are solid, with Brit Marling (who is also the co-creator and writer) delivering a mesmerizing mix of vulnerability and haunting conviction. Jason Isaacs is particularly compelling as the antagonist—layered and odd in a way that’s hard to pin down. Some of the supporting cast take a few episodes to find their footing, but over time, their characters grow on you.
On the downside, The OA occasionally gets a bit too caught up in its own mythos. There are moments where the pacing slows, and the show’s eccentricities threaten to turn into self-indulgence. It asks a lot of patience from the viewer, and not every payoff might land for everyone. A few subplots meander without clear resolution, but in a way, that’s part of its charm—it’s more about the questions than the answers.
You would enjoy this if you like your mysteries layered with a dose of metaphysical weirdness and emotionally resonant characters. If you loved shows like Twin Peaks or Dark, and you don’t mind having more questions than answers at the end, The OA will absolutely get its hooks into you.
