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The original was posted on /r/television by /u/keepfighting90 on 2025-10-12 20:51:40+00:00.

I wasn’t really sure what to expect from the Twisted Metal show given what an odd piece of source material it’s being adapted from. A fairly plotless vehicle warfare game franchise doesn’t really seem like something you could mine a compelling narrative out of. But after binging both seasons of the show, that’s exactly what Twisted Metal does.

Honestly this show is the very definition of “they understood the assignment”. The TM games were always pretty ridiculous and the setup is really only there to have an excuse for the colourful characters and vehicles. So the show smartly doesn’t really try to avoid the tone and vibe of the games, and instead fully leans into them. It’s silly, over the top and ridiculous, and it’s honestly better for it. The dark comedy/action hybrid fits the games perfectly. The first season has more of an episodic structure as we get to know the characters and the world, and the second season, which is better in every way, has more of a serialized arc. The second season is where the tournament aspect of Twisted Metal really comes into play too.

The show does justice when it comes to adapting the gameplay aspects - there are some truly spectacular vehicle combat sequences, especially in season 2, and there’s a lot of fun, clever usage of the various weapons and powerups you’d see in the game.

What really elevates the show though are the characters. They’re really well-acted and developed, and as silly and irreverent as the story is, the writing treats the characters seriously and does a great job of getting you really invested in them. Anthony Mackie and Stephanie Beatriz are both excellent as the leads, and they actually have some really great chemistry together. The absolute highlight of the show though is Sweet Tooth - he steals every scene he’s in, and it’s an excellent “fusion” performance between Samoa Joe and Will Arnett.

The music is incredible too, with some fantastic needle drops of popular 90s/00s tunes as well as the actual soundtrack of the show itself.

Overall, it’s a show made by people that clearly love the source material. It’s not high-art and it’s often stupid and full of plot holes. But that doesn’t stop it from being incredibly fun and entertaining, and most importantly, being a really damn good adaptation.