Marvel’s Legion was created by Noah Hawley for FX. It was based on Legion or David Haller and had three seasons. The protagonist is diagnosed with schizophrenia at a young age. This led to him ending up in a mental hospital. In reality, the voices in his head are just because of his mutant powers. Legion is a psychological thriller/horror and is not an easy-to-guess show. It is also one of the best shows ever made on a Marvel comic character. In fact, it turned out to be better than anyone thought. Here are a few reasons why it’s a much better show than you remember.
Legion focuses on Mental Health
Most people failed to notice at first but the way the show portrays mental health is better than most. It shows how mental health is still so stigmatized in society. Apart from showing David’s mental health being shown through visuals and doing it so well, they talk about the perception of normal. It helps us understand what word assumes by sanity. Also, it deals with how the close ones react differently when it comes to dealing with someone diagnosed with such conditions. And also how David embraces his diagnosis without knowing the truth behind it.
It shows more complex characters
Compared to other shows and movies based on the mutants like the X-Men films, it is way better when it comes to developing its character. Usually, superhero shows end up forgetting that superheroes are more than their powers. But legion focuses more on the aspect that mutants are people who are gifted with powers. This makes the show so much better than most. It develops its characters as individuals and does not just focus on the growth of their powers. It is a superhero show but does not overstress on it.
Legion has a distinct visual style
From the very first frame, Legion manages to grab the attention of the viewers with its amazing cinematography. Also, the visual effects and attention to detail in the show are so amazing. With outfits that look like from the 60s but electronics that are more of today’s time conflict with the viewer already. They cannot wrap their minds around the era the show is set in. Just enhancing the confusion the show wants to cause in the minds. David is an unreliable narrator and it is hard to understand whether what we see is fantasy or reality
It stays true to the comic book
Many a time, comic book adaptations are hated by the fans for not being accurate. But they are not really wrong, as we have rarely seen works that really are. In the genre, the past decade has nothing made that can compare to the sophistication of Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight trilogy. But Legion has done a good job maintaining the prestige drama of the comic books. It is a superhero show but it explores those lines too well. In fact, it takes the genre in a new direction with its unique story and development.
Dan Stevens’s performance as the protagonist
Portraying a character like David Haller is a challenging task even for the best of actors. But when it comes to doing it, Dan Stevens kills it. The way he portrays the emotions of the mutant who is confused even by his own powers. A hero who is uncertain of his powers and abilities. He does an excellent job portraying the character’s shift from humility to losing touch with reality. Also, he portrays the struggle of the character trying to beat the voices in his head. In fact, he made the confused character likable.
