One of the biggest cult horror comedy favorites from the '80s is Gremlins, which debuted as a feature film directed by Joe Dante in 1984. A prequel animated series is coming to Max to help launch the rebranded premium streaming service this May, titled Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai. Vibrantly animated and voiced by an all-star cast, Secrets of the Mogwai is a family-friendly gateway into the Gremlins franchise while retaining the same charm of the classic movies.
Set in 1920s Shanghai, Sam Wing and his family encounter a wayward Gremlin named Gizmo, separated from his community in the unexplored regions of China. Determined to reunite Gizmo with his family, Sam and a streetwise orphan named Elle escort the Gremlin across the countryside and meet other living elements of Chinese folklore. However, Sam and Elle's journey is far from safe, with a villainous industrialist named Riley Greene pursuing the trio with his own ravenous set of corrupted Gremlins to recover Gizmo for his own nefarious purposes.
Led by Izaac Wang as Sam, Secrets of the Mogwai features an impressive regular and guest cast across its inaugural season, including an impromptu Mulan reunion with the fan-favorite animated movie's stars Ming-Na Wen, B.D. Wong and James Hong voicing other members of the Wing family. Everyone does a solid job in their respective performances and, as with the movies, one can't help but fall for the unfailingly adorable Gizmo, voiced by A.J. Locascio. As for the more human characters, Hong's grandfatherly role is right in the venerable actor's wheelhouse, and he helps propel the story out the gate before the series shifts to the perspective of its younger protagonists.
The animation style perfectly suits the sensibilities and tone of Gremlins, CG animation with borderline cel-shaded coloration that pops on-screen. Every episode has at least one major set piece, and running at approximately 22 minutes each, never outstay their welcome. When Secrets of the Mogwai has to dial up the menace, it does so accordingly -- but never at the same level of violence as the 1984 original film.
One of the more effective elements by showrunner Tze Chun is that Secrets of the Mogwai more organically and respectfully incorporates Chinese culture into its narrative in stark contrast to the movies. The Gremlins films are very much a product of their time, with its use of Chinese mysticism feeling forced whereas Secrets of the Mogwai is a quiet celebration of Chinese culture, from its depiction of every day 1920s society to its incorporation of Chinese folklore. The show doesn't beat its audience over the head with its cultural influences, but its inclusion feels more natural and authentic than it ever has before.
Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai is perfectly accessible to those who may have missed the classic movies while continuing plenty of nods to those already familiar to the franchise. Delivering a little action, adventure and the occasional scare, there's a lot to love as Gremlins positions itself for a new generation of fans. Tightly crafted and well-written, with engaging and fluid animation, Secrets of the Mogwai gives Gremlins an overdue comeback and expansion of its mythos while helping shore up Max's launch.
Developed for television by Tze Chun, Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai premieres May 23 on Max.