Raised by Wolves is refreshing for going back to the basics of sci-fi storytelling

The Ringer

The Ridley Scott-produced HBO Max series from creator Aaron Guzikowski "is a somewhat awkward fit for HBO Max’s original programming, which otherwise aims to complement HBO proper by marketing itself more towards streaming-native younger women," says Alison Herman. "Raised by Wolves is sandwiched between the reference-laden satire of Search Party and the can-do quarantine cooking show Selena + Chef, and its desaturated mix of far-future and quasi-medieval aesthetics stands out like a human settlement on an empty tundra. The contrast makes more sense upon learning Raised by Wolves was first ordered to series at TNT in 2018 before getting tractor-beamed into WarnerMedia’s new digital flagship. But the odd fit is also not especially relevant, except to owners of Roku and Amazon devices who won’t be able to stream the latest Ridley Scott space epic on their actual TVs. Slipped into the second wave of a fledgling streaming service and sans star power except behind the camera, Raised by Wolves is the first pleasant TV surprise of the fall." Herman adds: "Raised by Wolves is not the sort of show that will convert genre skeptics in the way that Game of Thrones became a fantasy epic for fans who don’t typically love fantasy. But for those already invested in sci-fi, Raised by Wolves is thoughtful, engaging, and streamlined stuff. The race to find the next Thrones, amplified by the Streaming Wars, has made most TV sci-fi go larger and louder. Raised by Wolves, on the other hand, has found its way back to the basics." ALSO: Raised by Wolves allows Ridley Scott to expand on one of his strangest sci-fi ideas: his use of milk.