LOCKE & KEY (Season 3) -- A Perfect Conclusion To a Very Good Netflix Series

Review by Dan Skip Allen

(L to R) Connor Jessup as Tyler Locke, Emilia Jones as Kinsey Locke, Darby Stanchfield as Nina Locke in episode 305 of Locke And Key. Credit: Amanda Matlovich/Netflix © 2022.

Locke & Key is based on the popular comic book series by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez from IDW Publishing. The first season premiered on Netflix in 2020, and now it is in its third and final season, so all the storylines have to be sewn up. Season two had a few cliffhangers that bore fruit in season three. The new season took what fans of the show already knew and expanded on it. It takes this world to an entirely different level.
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Eden Hawkins (Hailee Jones) thought she had an ally in Captain Fredrick Gideon (Kevin Durand), but it ended in her demise. Tyler chose to forget the past and move out west. Ellie and Rufus Wheadon (Sherri Saum and Coby Bird) have returned but don't know if it was good for them. Of course, Kinsey (Emilia Jones, CODA) is still involved with The Splattering 2 and using her singing abilities. Bode (Jackson Robert Scott) finds a new key that causes some problems for the Lockes, and Nina (Darby Stanchfield) is trying to find her footing with her memories back in her relationship with Josh (Brendan Hines).

Season three of Locke and Key is slightly more subdued than previous seasons. The first few episodes deal with the wedding of Uncle Duncan (Aaron Ashmore) and a Snow Globe in which two women, Dorothy and Ada, were stuck. These were just distractions from the main story involving Capt. Fredrick Gideon and his men, Coffey and Bolton, trying to open up a new doorway into their world and combine the human world and demon world. The other stories are also continued as the season continues forward. As the series ends, these subplots must end so the show can conclude. There are a lot of loose ends to tie up.

Locke & Key mixes fantasy elements and young adult-type storytelling to create a dramatic show with suspenseful and interesting concepts. Netflix has invested in creators like Carlton Cuse (Bates Motel, Colony, Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan) to write and be the showrunner for this amazing show. The elements of all the different things in the series work well together. It makes sense that people of all ages love this series so much.

The acting of all the main characters in the series is fantastic, and it's nice to see them progress as the show progresses. The mystery involving the keys keeps the show continuing to be fun, going in different directions each season. Kevin Durand has embraced his larger role this season like Layla De Oliviera, as Dodge, and Griffin Gluck, as Gabe, have in seasons past. He is a good character actor but thrives as a villain once again.
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Some older characters, such as Geordie Shaw (Michael Therriault), also get a larger role. Seeds from previous seasons finally come to light and show how this series has been handled properly. These types of shows and series can be done right, and they don't have to go on forever. They have a finite ending that makes sense, and the fans can have a satisfying conclusion to a beloved IP/comic book series like this.

Locke & Key season three starts slowly despite the episode "The Snow Globe." Older characters like Ashmore's character get a good send-off, but it's Kevin Durand who gets to really shine in a larger role this season. Plot lines involving the rest of the Locke family get sewn up, and the fantasy elements and storytelling become more extensive as the season progresses. The last few episodes are pretty action-packed and have a lot of set pieces. The showrunners and writers saved the best for last regarding these parts of the series.

This was a very satisfying series conclusion, and fans will hopefully be happy with how the show ended. I've been with it since day one and have thoroughly enjoyed the show since the beginning. I'm glad the creators aren't trying to keep this series going forever. Most shows need to know when it's time to end, and it's definitely time this one did, but it ended on a high note.

Locke & Key streams on Netflix beginning August 10.

Rating: 4/5