Ravenswood

Ravenswood is a captivating suspense-horror television series that first aired on FreeForm, formerly known as ABC Family, from 2013 to 2014. The plot primarily revolves around five strangers, all mysteriously brought together by a series of supernatural events rooted in the dark past of the eerie town of Ravenswood, Pennsylvania.

Tyler Blackburn stars as Caleb Rivers, the character that came and served as a link for the audiences transitioning from the Pretty Little Liars universe, another popular Freeform program, to this dark spin-off. Initially, Caleb travels to Ravenswood to solve a mystery but soon finds himself ensnared in the town's spiritual phenomena. Blackburn balances his portrayal of the familiar intelligent, caring, and brave young man from Pretty Little Liars, along with the added fear and curiosity his character faces in Ravenswood.

Rounding out the primary cast is the ever-talented Merritt Patterson, who plays Olivia Matheson, a once popular girl dealing with a family tragedy. The third character is Luke Matheson, played by Brett Dier. Luke is Olivia's twin brother, a former golden boy whose life goes down a spiral after a devastating loss. Adding another complexity to the mix is Remy Beaumont, played by Britne Oldford, whose unique ability to put the pieces of the puzzle together bridges the information gap for fellow characters. Finally, there's Haley Lu Richardson as Miranda Collins, a foster kid seeking answers about her family's history.

The narrative is laden with supernatural elements, with unexpected plotlines and surprising character developments, enveloping the town and its inhabitants in an ominous cloud. The central characters are all tied together by a deadly curse lingering over Ravenswood for generations.

Meg Foster and Henry Simmons star in supporting roles, adding depth and further mystery to the storyline. Meg Foster plays the part of Mrs. Grunwald, who possesses her eccentric knowledge about the world of the paranormal while Henry Simmons portrays Simon, a hard-working man with a strong tie to the Mathesons.

Additional characters weaving in and out of the series, Ashley Benson appears as popular Pretty Little Liars character Hanna Marin, while Laura Allen, Sophina Brown, Nicole Anderson, Justin Bruening, Jay Huguley, and Griff Furst all add to the talent-filled ensemble, playing an array of roles with varying connection links to the haunting dilemmas the town faces.

Forming a group with unexplainable ties to one another, each character finds themselves drawn to the town's dark history and unfolding paranormal phenomena. As outsiders, they also have to face the scepticism and dread of the long-time residents of Ravenswood who are fearful of breaking the curse.

Ravenswood strikes a balance between delivering fright-filled, suspenseful storytelling and exploring the emotional depth of its characters. It is not just a horror show but also a coming-of-age story of five teens who are flung into an adult world of supernatural dangers and mysteries needing immediate unraveling. The unexpected friendships, romance, and heartbreaks encountered by these characters on their journey give the audience plenty of emotional plotlines to invest in while being constantly kept on the edge by the suspense.

Visually, the series set itself apart from its parent show, Pretty Little Liars, by portraying a darker, chiller atmosphere symbolic of the twisted physics of Ravenswood. The production design, cinematography and the background score of the show perfectly evoke the sinister feel, suspense and slow-burning horror that is inherent in the town of Ravenswood.

Although short-lived, Ravenswood hooked viewers due to its complement of complicated characters stuck in an intriguing premise that just kept getting darker and stranger. Mysteries tangled with a cursed history, secrets buried, the constant unnerving suspense, and the unexpected thrills, Ravenswood was a show that consistently kept its audience guessing about what secrets the town and its inhabitants held in their deeply rooted past. It is a unique addition to not just the teen horror genre, but also in its exploration of complex relationships and the human heart when faced with the fear of the unknown.