Stephen King Meets Lost In This Terrifying Sci-Fi Horror Series
This show has quietly become one of TV's most gripping sci-fi horror stories, and its deep ties to both Lost and Stephen King explain exactly why.
In 2022, the sci-fi horror series From premiered on EPIX (now MGM+). Despite never becoming a major pop culture phenomenon, it has garnered a dedicated following due to its consistent quality and ingenuity. Set in an isolated town filled with monstrous creatures, the show is often compared to the 2000s show Lost, as both feature a town-like setting and a focus on character-driven mystery.
The similarity to Lost is further emphasized by the shared involvement of Harold Perrineau, who plays a major character in both series. Additionally, two of From's creators, Jeff Pinkner and Jack Bender, had previously worked on Lost, lending credence to the comparison. Pinkner, a former developer for Lost, emphasized the importance of pacing and the deliberate deployment of answers in both shows, stating, "Having a very purposeful deployment of those answers and making sure those answers lead to new questions."
While Lost received mixed reactions due to its controversial finale, From has been praised for its consistent scares, with Stephen King himself tweeting about the show's "wonderful concept" in May 2023. King also expressed enthusiasm, writing, "If you're a horror fan and not watching FROM, you should get with it. Scary shit." Fans have noted the show's similarity to Stephen King's novels, such as Salem's Lot and Under the Dome, praising the in-depth characterization and focus on psychological depth in the characters.
From's creator, John Griffin, echoed the importance of character-driven storytelling, noting, "You can have the most clever twist or story or puzzle and the most ingenious mythology or mystery, and none of it matters if you don't care about the characters." Griffin emphasized that the writing team kept character development at the forefront, a shared trait between the creators of From and Lost.
Despite the show's potential for a controversial finale, similar to the infamous ending of Lost and King's The Stand, Griffin assured fans that From is a journey with a purpose, promising an engaging experience for viewers.
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