A Theory ‘From’ Everything.
For me, all worthwhile supernatural fiction has a basis in reality, and is trying to say something about a theme. The fantasy elements are exaggerations or metaphors of reality, as the writers see it. The writers are not just making up rules and creatures because “ooh - that would be cool”.
In “From” specifically, the theme seems to be how people get de-railed off their life path by an unforeseen obstacle (made literal by the tree blocking the road). They turn away from this obstacle and then get stuck driving in circles through a depressing and scary town.
I see the town as a physical manifestation of depression and anxiety. The characters end up there for different reasons (death of a child, ptsd from military service, selling their company and therefore losing their meaning in life, etc).
The monsters represent the anxiety and fears in your head at night. If you let them in, they will consume you (literally eating up your insides). They say things to you to exploit your worst vulnerabilities, whether it is sorrow or loneliness or shame, using these to get you to let them in. In the “From” lore, they used to scream but now they whisper since the talismans were discovered. I suspect the talismans represent the discovery of medication, which quiet the monsters and don’t let them come in - but also don’t get rid of them completely and don’t help you get “home”. Home is another place used metaphorically, representing the loving and safe feeling of home we all long to get back to.
The Fromville people deal with their depression in different ways. Some acquiesce to it and turn to drink - but Frank’s wife and kids are eaten up because of his drinking. Some try to distract themselves with parties every night in the Colony House. Some try to make themselves happy by helping others. Some like Jim try to tackle the depression logically by writing out their questions almost like journaling. Tabitha tries digging down deep in the basement where she found the bracelet made of Jim’s fathers shoelace - as in therapy, trying to get to the source of the issue by analyzing their relationship and family history.
TLDR: I think Fromville is a metaphor for having your life derailed and getting ‘stuck’ in fear, anxiety and depression.
There are plenty more elements of the show to analyze through this lens - can any of you help build on this?
For me, all worthwhile supernatural fiction has a basis in reality, and is trying to say something about a theme. The fantasy elements are exaggerations or metaphors of reality, as the writers see it. The writers are not just making up rules and creatures because “ooh - that would be cool”.
In “From” specifically, the theme seems to be how people get de-railed off their life path by an unforeseen obstacle (made literal by the tree blocking the road). They turn away from this obstacle and then get stuck driving in circles through a depressing and scary town.
I see the town as a physical manifestation of depression and anxiety. The characters end up there for different reasons (death of a child, ptsd from military service, selling their company and therefore losing their meaning in life, etc).
The monsters represent the anxiety and fears in your head at night. If you let them in, they will consume you (literally eating up your insides). They say things to you to exploit your worst vulnerabilities, whether it is sorrow or loneliness or shame, using these to get you to let them in. In the “From” lore, they used to scream but now they whisper since the talismans were discovered. I suspect the talismans represent the discovery of medication, which quiet the monsters and don’t let them come in - but also don’t get rid of them completely and don’t help you get “home”. Home is another place used metaphorically, representing the loving and safe feeling of home we all long to get back to.
The Fromville people deal with their depression in different ways. Some acquiesce to it and turn to drink - but Frank’s wife and kids are eaten up because of his drinking. Some try to distract themselves with parties every night in the Colony House. Some try to make themselves happy by helping others. Some like Jim try to tackle the depression logically by writing out their questions almost like journaling. Tabitha tries digging down deep in the basement where she found the bracelet made of Jim’s fathers shoelace - as in therapy, trying to get to the source of the issue by analyzing their relationship and family history.
TLDR: I think Fromville is a metaphor for having your life derailed and getting ‘stuck’ in fear, anxiety and depression.
There are plenty more elements of the show to analyze through this lens - can any of you help build on this?