In an unintended comparison to Master Blaster, Joe Seanoa (aka Samoa Joe) and Bill Hader team up to embody Sweet Tooth, a murderous clown wandering the ruins of Lost Vegas; the former occupying the physical role with Hader lending his voice talents to the John Wayne Gacy-esque serial killer. Joe Seanoa occupies this role completely and kudos to Peacock for casting a wrestler that combines physicality and showmanship in such a complete package. 

Neve Campbell is our quest giver as Raven, a duplicitous COO of New San Francisco. With limited screen time, it’s hard to get a sense for the character, and as such, she comes off as a bit mustache-twirly, but knowing Neve’s acting leads one to believe she will have an increased role in season 2 and will not disappoint. Hopefully, we’ll get to see her behind the wheel of a car.  

Jason Mantzouka is in a role he was born to play as Preacher and Chloe Fineman as Bloody Mary, where her SNL chops are on full parade. They  are a surprisingly delightful pairing, and they steal the screen every time they are on it. 

Thomas Haden Church does a solid job with a fairly stock part of a misguided lawman trying to bring order to a lawless world. Church fully commits to the role and does as much as he can with the material as given. 

Mike Mitchell turns in a surprisingly empathetic performance as Stu, a misguided deputy to Stone finds himself flip-flopping loyalties and teaming up with Sweet Tooth. Stu has perhaps the most transformative arc of the entire show and he does miles with what he’s given on the page. 

“Did You Come for the Show?”  

Let’s be honest—Twisted Metal is a show about vehicular mayhem, so engagement is based on a few things: cars and guns with a heavy side helping of psychotic murder clown. Anything else is icing on the cake. So did it deliver? Yes, yes it did—in spades. 

Twisted Metal tows the line between full of Mad Max and a network comedy. It takes advantage of the many and varied landscapes, from the airy deserts of Lost Vegas to the fortress of New San Francisco. The series finale takes place at a racetrack, which becomes a satisfying battle arena as cars whiplash around the track unloading magazines, firing missiles, and hurling insults at each other. 

If you are a fan of practical stunts and effects, this show has got you covered. Except a few clear CGI elements, this show looks and feels like a smash derby on steroids. Stunts are real and visceral and captured. The show had a reasonable budget of $45 million and it shows on screen; not since The Blues Brothers have this many cars been smashed iron derby style (outside of perhaps The “Mad Max” franchise.

Final Rating 

This adaptation takes a high road above its schlocky origins with plenty of road ahead for season 2, and it deserves a five-star rating. 

Twisted Metal is now streaming on Peacock.