“Stan Against Evil” (2016-2018) is a hidden gem that ran for 3 seasons, 24 episodes on cabel/internet channel IFC. Set in the fictional town of Willard’s Creek, New Hampshire where massive witch burnings took place in the 1700’s by the Sheriff/Constable who was actually the only witch/warlock himself and the innocent souls he sacrificed put a curse upon the towns Sheriffs and kills each one as revenge. The one exception is Sheriff Stan Miller (John C. McGiley) who somehow escapes the souls/ demons curse. At the funeral of his wife who died of mysterious circumstances Stan is the only one who sees a demon trying to attack him, defends himself but since no one else sees it he is thought crazy and forced to resign. A new town sheriff is hired, Evie Barrett (Janet Varney) who begins to learn that there is an evil trying to overtake the town and works with Stan to try and defeat it. Stan eventually learns that the only reason why he was the only surviving Sheriff was that his dead wife Claire (Susan Savole) was protecting him from the demons that resulted in her death. Filled with guilt, and his love for his wife, Stan is determined to defeat the evil and find a way to bring his wife back from dead even if it may cost him his own life.
Battling Internal and Externa Demons to Save A Town
Though the premise of the show may seem dark, what make it a fun well done little classic that take these themes and takes on the genres of horror, monster, science fiction of movies and TV to the absurdist level while still touching on the conflicting nature some real people face in their own lives. Fighting their own demons internally and externally. Stan’s guilt over causing the death of his wife, widowed with his incredibly immature daughter Denise (Deborah Baker Jr.). Evie, a divorced single mom with a daughter she trying to raise while trying to fulfill her role Sheriff and saving the town from destruction with Stan and the continue annoyance and interference of her loser ex-husband. What makes the show great is that it is done with a comical absurd sense that parodies classic monster/ horror movies/TV that can be a bit over-the-top without being a formulated dramedy.
What Makes the Show Great
The cast does a solid job and mesh together well. Stan, a cruder modern day Archie Bunker/Dr. Cox. Evie, nailing it playing a career mom and keeping things cohesive. Deputy Drinkwater (Nate Mooney) a parody of Barney Fife and Reno 911. Stan’s daughter Denise comically obtuse and Kevin the Gravedigger, Denise’s love interest (show creator Dana Gould) adds a sympathetic figure doing a dark job. The scripts and production are executed well. They take on cartoonish exaggerated parody of monster/horror movies and TV. Demons, witches cults, mutant horses, spiders, goats, X-Files, Godzilla vs Mothra, possessed puppets, and other TV, cultural tropes. Let’s not forget to mention the classic creation of “Bill the Demon Plumber” and for the hockey fans Bobby Orr’s stick episode. It’s a cool binge watch. Enjoy.
My name is Stan and I approved this post. If you don’t like it just ask Sheriff Stan Miller his thoughts.
