Season 3: Devil in Silver - 6 episodes (2026)
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Created by: Victor LaValle
Starring: Dan Stevens, b, Hampton Fluker, John Benjamin Hickey, Judith Light, Aasif Mandvi, CCH Pounder, Stephen Root
Rated: TV-MA
Watch the trailer
Plot
In this supernatural, semi-historical horror anthology series, the first two seasons were inspired by different infamous or mysterious real-life historical tragedies while the third season is contemporary fiction.
In the season three, rudderless musician Pepper is wrongfully committed to the decrepit New Hyde Psychiatric Hospital.
Verdict
It's not a bad premise though certainly not unique. This never manages to develop anything interesting. The best parts are when it's referencing something else, and that's not a compliment. None of the characters are developed farther than generic stereotypes. Initially I questioned what this was before then wondering how it would end, and eventually I just wanted it to be over.
Skip it.
Review
This must be inspired by One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975), putting a horror spin on it. The series directly references the movie. Pepper (Dan Stevens) is the divisive new patient that will either bring them together to fight the entity or become consumed himself.
The first episode establishes Pepper's lack of judgement. He's jobless, planning to start teaching students to play the drums. To do that he buys a four-thousand dollar drum set after his girlfriend tells him not to. Then he loses his temper at the sight of his girlfriend's ex, flying into a rage and attacking the man. He also attacks the three plain clothed cops that step in to break up the fight. It's ridiculous, an extreme reaction precisely to get him arrested. The cops, wanting to avoid paperwork, take him to a mental institution, New Hyde. Pepper was supposed to be held for two days, but ends up unconscious for four. After an outburst, the doctor wants to keep him for another two weeks. New Hyde is full of odd patients, one even telling Pepper he's been summoned.
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| E1: Dan Stevens plays Pepper Coffin |
To further isolate Pepper, his girlfriend is contacted by his estranged son she didn't know about. She cuts ties as Pepper learns the facility is truly haunted. He's attacked, and no one seems to care. The staff attribute it to self harm. The other residents know what it is, but they're unconcerned. We know something is strange about the building, but half way in it's unclear what's going on. A person we saw killed approaches Pepper for no other reason than to add intrigue. The core of this mystery seems to reside behind the "silver door." There's a patient locked in that room.
Pepper initially plans an escape before he decides to fight this 'devil' that plagues the facility. Patient Dorry (Judith Light) cautions Pepper against any kind of attack. The facility's original doctor, Dr. Walter is or is part of the entity. He lures Pepper into a trap to try and gain control over him. This entity is trapped and wants out. Pepper is the way, using him as a new host.
Episode five is Dorry's backstory to mostly fill time. By the end of the season, we get answers to what's going on but by that time I didn't really care. It's a big show down between the residents, staff, and the entity.
This doesn't develop the characters well. Other than Pepper, everyone in this facility is content with staying put. This entity is trapped in the building, but it's only goal is to get out. If we knew more about what it would do after escape that would add some tension. This show took the inherent fear factor of being trapped and isolated in a mental institution and failed to go anywhere with that idea. The concept smolders for most of the season before finally going out.
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