Plot: “Mrs. Davis” is the world’s most powerful Artificial Intelligence. Simone is the nun devoted to destroying Her. Who ya got?
Review: It takes a lot to catch me off guard. I have seen countless movies and television series over the years that have been billed as shocking or revolutionary, game-changing, and even unlike anything that has ever been seen before. Few of these have actually delivered on the hyperbole used to market them, but every now and then, I am truly surprised by the originality that is still possible. Mrs. Davis is one of those series that truly earns the distinction of being unlike anything else ever made. With the distinctive creative talents of Tara Hernandez and Damon Lindelof behind the scenes, Mrs. Davis echoes the satirical brilliance of Terry Gilliam’s Brazil with a modern technological flair for a hilarious, action-packed story and thought-provoking series about faith, control, and magic. With many great supporting players, Betty Gilpin and Jake McDornan command a series that has absolutely no equal on the air.
As the trailers allude, Mrs. Davis centers on a nun named Simone (Betty Gilpin), who has spurned the titular artificial intelligence and devoted her life to Jesus Christ. But, Mrs. Davis enlists Simone in a quest to find the Holy Grail by saying she is the only person on the planet who can find it. Joining forces with her childhood love, Wiley (Jake McDorman), Simone heads out on an epic journey around the globe that includes German terrorists, a high-tech resistance movement, rodeos, Excalibur, the Pope, baked goods, horses, crossbows, skydiving, and much more. While that is a bizarre mix of items and locations, it does not do justice to the scope and strange tone that Mrs. Davis evokes across its eight-episode season. In part science-fiction and part metaphorical comedy, Mrs. Davis is at once as much of a spiritual journey as an indictment of our reliance on technology.
Mrs. Davis is a very difficult series to describe and does not align with a single genre, style, or tone. Damon Lindelof brings the same deft look at contemporary society that he brought to the elegiac The Leftovers and the slightly surreal and skewed alternate history of Watchmen to Mrs. Davis. Partnering with Tara Hernandez (The Big Bang Theory, Young Sheldon), the pair successfully tell a story about religion and faith that AMC’s Preacher did not quite capture. That sacrilegious look at the Catholic Church and God himself was a graphic novel masterpiece that became a decent series. But, even Preacher struggled to find an audience despite a built-in fan base from the comic books. Mrs. Davis is a wholly original creation that will reel audiences from the bold first episode or turn them off immediately. Within the first fifteen minutes, I knew that Mrs. Davis was the most excitingly original series of 2023 and possibly since the debut of Westworld.
While Mrs. Davis’ bizarre story is intriguing, the series relies on the charismatic lead actors. Betty Gilpin, who became popular for her role in Netflix’s GLOW, has found what could be her signature role as Simone. Echoing her performance in Blumhouse’s thriller The Hunt, Gilpin is perfectly cast as the nun who shuns the global A.I. for Jesus and is not afraid to search for the Holy Grail and drop some profanity-laden tirades. Gilpin makes a nun’s habit look badass as she delivers every conceivable reaction, from dumbfounded confusion to eye-rolling lamentation. A lead performance has not as immediately entranced me as I was with Gilpin as Simone in a long time. Equally as good is Jake McDorman, who is more nuanced and interesting than the trailers may let on. Both actors get substantial backstories peppered through the season, which aids in the audience rooting for them to defeat everyone in their path. Gilpin and McDorman deliver these characters’ dramatic and comedic elements time and again through the season and the dialogue-heavy moments in the action sequences.
Mrs. Davis is full of recognizable actors having a blast in their supporting roles. From Elizabeth Marvel and David Arquette to Margo Martindale and Ben Chaplin, this cast is full of great performances that run the gamut from funny to unexpectedly dramatic. The always fantastic Chris Diamantopoulos gives his character, JQ, an off-the-wall Australian accent and the inability to wear a shirt with fastened buttons. There is also Tom Wlaschiha as Father Ziegler, whose menacing accent is greatly used. There is also Andy McQueen as Jay, who helps Simone on her mission and will surely hit it big after audiences see him in this series. Lindelof and Hernandez assembled a great writing staff who boldly explore a vast mythology across this season, visualized by directors Owen Harris, Alethea Jones, and Frederick E.O. Toye. The helmers use large title cards featuring tongue-in-cheek text and a bright palate that makes Mrs. Davis look enticing yet slightly off in a wonderful way.
There is nothing else like Mrs. Davis anywhere on the big or small screen. So many new series debut these days that it becomes harder and harder for audiences to invest in something they know nothing about. I can tell you that Mrs. Davis cannot be summarized or condensed into a worthy review without revealing details you deserve to discover as you watch the series. But I can tell you that if you check out the first four episodes premiering this week, you will be hooked for the four airing weekly after that. This is going to be everyone’s favorite new show. It is weird, wild, hilarious, and profanely brilliant, and I cannot wait for everyone to check it out. Whether you call her Mum, Madonna, or Mrs. Davis, this algorithm has hit all the right notes with me, and I am completely on board.
Mrs. Davis premieres on April 20th on Peacock.