Apr 12, 2025
The Terror's cinematography is absolutely breathtaking.
So many shots have compositions that look like they could be paintings in a museum exhibit on 19th Century Realism. Obsessed with the purposeful use of blocking to portray the class divide and the mundane but backbreaking labor of sailing.
Also, I love how, as a historical drama, it leans heavily into the camera language of sci-fi and horror to create this otherworldly and ominous feeling without having to be so on the nose. It's all about the light and framing--everything is stark or slightly offkilter like the glacial landscape slowly killing the characters.
Only two episodes in and this show might beat out even Severance when it comes to my favorite visual storytelling of 2025.
