‘The Horror Of Dolores Roach’ Series Review – A Wonderful Pitch Black Reimagining Of Sweeney Todd

Created By: Aaron Mark

Starring: Justina Machado, Alejandro Hernandez

Plot Summary: The Horror of Dolores Roach, based on the hit Spotify podcast series of the same name, is a contemporary Sweeney Todd-inspired urban legend of love, betrayal, weed, cannibalism, and survival of the fittest. Dolores Roach (Justina Machado) is released after an unjust 16-year prison sentence, and she returns to a gentrified Washington Heights. Dolores reunites with an old stoner friend, Luis (Alejandro Hernandez), who lets her live and work as a masseuse in the basement under his empanada shop. When the promise of her newfound stability is quickly threatened, “Magic Hands” Dolores is driven to shocking extremes to survive.

Ah yes, Sweeney Todd, the demon barber himself. This blood thirsty SOB has been wreaking havoc on viewers’ imaginations for over one-hundred years now. For some quick context, Sweeney Todd as a character started life in 1846-47 in the penny dreadfuls. For those not familiar, those were inexpensive paperbacks featuring stories that were published in multiple parts over a span of time. Yet, they caused quite the scandal, as the subject matter was often lurid tales of horror and sex. In other words, before movies and video games were blamed for all of society’s ills, it was these fictional stories.

Yet, there was something special about the dreadful entitled The String of Pearls, which featured the story of good ole’ Todd cutting throats in his barber chair, whilst the kooky Nellie Lovett made Todd’s victims into meat pies. The story has been adapted in just about every medium you can think of including radio shows, plays/musicals, movies and now, in the digital age, a hit podcast. You might be skeptical how one could translate Todd into the modern era, whilst recontextualizing its core themes. Well, thankfully The Horror Of Dolores Roach does a fantastic job.

In the very first episode (just under thirty minutes), the writers do an excellent job at all the heavy-lifting story-wise. This means we get clued in very quickly on the characters, the world and the series of events that lead to all this bloodshed. The story is told mostly in flashbacks with a clever framing device which sees the real Dolores break into the dressing room of the actress playing her. She recounts her tale, as she deems the story not accurate. Not only is this a fun way to lay out the story, but it also acts as a smart commentary on how true-crime culture sometimes glosses over facts or motivations to fit a certain narrative.

Dolores is a product of an unfair system, and this theme of inequality and class divide is something that, if you excuse the pun, has been baked into the Todd story over time. The thing is, we must not only like Dolores as a character, but we need to root for her. Even when that means the pile of bodies starts to grow. On the surface, this may seem easy, yet it’s not. It’s thanks to whip-smart writing and a wonderful actress to bring Dolores to life that we are fully on board with her bloody journey. The themes of love and revenge, which were more of an addition to the musical version of Sweeney Todd, are also nicely folded into the story.

The show also sprinkles in some fun meta-jokes including mentioning Jason Blum by name. As much as the show does right, it’s not without its issues. Being limited to such an overall short runtime per episode means that, while yes, any fat is trimmed, it also feels underdeveloped at times. It would have greatly enhanced the narrative to get richer context behind Dolores as a character, and more about her and Dominick. Probably the most damning though is how the ending feels very rushed. Like, it speed runs through a lot just to get us back to present day. Other plot threads could have used some fine tuning. Though, it is masterful in how it balances the serious and the more over-the-top moments.

Welcome to your next obsession with this black comedy that is sure to satisfy any horror and true crime fan.

The Horror Of Dolores Roach premieres on July 7, 2023 on Prime Video. 

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPme9XUiFag]