Being a teenager is never easy. I remember that back in my teenage days, I often felt out of place. Although I played some sports and joined a few clubs at school, I still felt like I did not belong. Now, while this may be a feeling that most people have, imagine if you also have ancient demons coming after you. How do you navigate that childhood and the demons?
Jentry Chau vs the Underworld is the brainchild of Echo Wu and not only opens a new world of traditions and demons, but also gives us characters that are relatable and that you care for. Jentry (Ali Wong) is a young girl living her best life with her friends, when it suddenly shifts on her 16th birthday. After speaking with her great-aunt, Gugu (voiced by Lori Tan Chinn), she is attacked by a demon and discovers that she possesses supernatural powers that have been dormant until this day.
Jentry is now forced to move in with her great-aunt in Texas and must now acclimate to her old town and the friends she left behind many years ago. Throughout the series, we learn about the mysterious reason why she left the town and how the people in the town see her. So, not only does Jentry have to deal with being back in her hometown, but also trying to survive the constant attacks from ancient demons.
The series is only 13 episodes long, but each episode is intense and most end in a “What the hell,” moment (I would have said, “WTF,” but this is a kids’ show after all…)! From the plot twists to certain reveals, and even the needle drops, each episode feels like a mini-movie that should be experienced on the big screen.
Among all of this intense action is also a heart. Jentry wants to just be a normal kid who enjoys hanging out with her friends or being with the boy she likes. Even though she is fighting to survive and destroy those that are hunting her, Echo Wu does a great job of balancing all of these emotions throughout the series.
Jentry Chau vs the Underworld is a fantastic show that perfectly combines Eastern and Western cultures while navigating the challenges of being a teenager in high school. Echo Wu and Ali Wong have given us a show that not only has some scary moments but also has a lot of heart.
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