TV Series Review: Bright Falls (2010)

Alan Wake was an action-adventure horror game developed by Remedy Entertainment and released on the Xbox 360 in May 2010. The story followed a best-selling novelist who has travelled to the town of Bright Falls with his wife for a much-needed break. When she goes missing, and the events of his latest unfinished novel start to play out in real-time, Alan has to dig into the depths of Bright Falls to solve the mystery.

It’s a great game, with a ton of mystery and chilling horror littered throughout. So popular was it, that it was remastered and re-released in 2021, and the long-awaiting sequel has been announced.

We’re not here to talk about the game though, as much as we love it. We’re here to talk about the 6-part live action mini TV/web-series that premiered in April 2010. Serving as a prequel to the events of the game, the series was co-written and directed by Phillip Van.

The 6 episodes vary in length, but in total the show is around 30-minutes long. In it, Christopher Forsyth plays Jake Fischer. A writer and journalist who has travelled to Bright Falls to interview Dr. Hartman about his work with struggling artists. However, before he even gets a chance to speak with the doctor, strange events occur and he hits a deer that seems to be have an adverse reaction to light.

Jake starts to black out and lose large amounts of time and his memory. Each time, when he wakes, he finds himself in places and having done things that he can’t remember. Just what is going on in Bright Falls?

As a prequel to Alan Wake, Bright Falls is a well-made short slice of horror. Tight, and to the point, while also not revealing too much of the detail that the game would unveil.

It being a live-action show is a massive bonus and fans of the game will certainly delight in seeing locations and character portrayals they are familiar with. Even Wake himself makes a brief cameo right at the very end of the show.

This isn’t his story though, it’s Jake’s story and it is a good one. In a short amount of time, Christopher Forsyth gives the character a lot of life both in the present and the past. Something that is alluded too, adds more weight to his personal issues, and ties into the overall Alan Wake/Bright Falls lore.

The supporting cast are also very good, a number of individuals adding a sense of dark atmosphere to the show. They help make this series feel like the world of Alan Wake.

Which is exactly what it is. There’s not much here that is going to appeal to those who have no knowledge of the game. The Twin Peaks-vibes and the overall mystery might encourage a person to seek out more details, but most will shrug and move on. It’s for fans only, but that’s fine because that is exactly what it is supposed to be.