A forgottenRidley Scottmasterpiece seemingly had the potential to become the nextBlade Runner. Unfortunately, before it could reach its true potential, many factors led to its eventual downfall and cancellation. Five years after its release, it is still hard not to think about how it could have been a genre-defining classic and another addition to Ridley Scott’s long line of brilliant work in sci-fi.
In recent years, Ridley Scott has earned the reputation of being a more hit-or-miss filmmaker. While some of his modern flicks perform well both critically and commercially, others struggle to leave a mark, especially when they are compared to his best creations. However, long before this inconsistency became part of his legacy, Scott had cemented his legacy as one of cinema’s most visionary directors.
By delivering incrediblemovies likeAlienandBlade Runner, the director rose in the ranks to become one of the most influential filmmakers in sci-fi. Another show, which had Ridley Scott as one of its directors and producers, was on the right path towards matchingBlade Runner’s legacy. However, things just did not fall into place for the acclaimed series.
The Show Dared To Be Different From Most Modern Sci-Fi Offerings
While most sci-fi shows play it safe and riff on some of the most popular tropes in the genre,Raised by Wolvesdefied the norm by adopting a bizarre storyline. The show’s visuals and art direction alone were striking enough to draw in many viewers and critics who wished to watch something new.
However, what helped it garner a more cult-like following was its exploration of the human condition, religion, parenting, evolution, and the intrinsic desire to survive. Unlike many mainstream sci-fi shows that rely on nostalgia and portray familiar settings,Raised by Wolvesdid not shy away from delivering haunting and novel imagery.
Critics, too, approved of the series, allowing it to earn a Rotten Tomatoes score of 75% and 86% in seasons 1 and 2, respectively. Many still rememberRaised by Wolvesas one of the most groundbreaking modern additions to the sci-fi genre. Unfortunately, the series was never allowed to reach the full potential of its ideas and storytelling.
What Was Raised By Wolves Based On? Inspirations And Themes Explained
The Show Draws From Many Religious Texts
On the surface,Raised by Wolvesis about two androids who raise human children on an alien planet, Kepler-22b, after Earth is destroyed. With this basic premise, the show explores everything from the nature of parenting and its impact on a younger generation to the conflict between religious devotion and science.
Did You Know: Kepler-22b is a real planet located about 640 light-years from Earth. It was discovered by NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope in December 2011 and is roughly twice as a big as Earth in radius.
The show is also critical of unchecked technological development and the corrupting nature of power. AlthoughRaised of Wolvesis not based on a specific literary work,it seems to draw inspiration from many religious texts. For instance, it seems to adopt many ideas from the mysterious Roman Empire religion of Mithraism.
Many viewers have also noticed howRaised by Wolvesdraws many Garden of Eden parallelsand even uses theBook of Enochas a major reference point for many of its story beats.
Raised By Wolves Was Sadly Canceled After 2 Seasons And Lost Its Streaming Home
It Is Not Available For Streaming Anywhere In The US
Unfortunately, despite earning immense acclaim and even being compared toRidley Scott’sPrometheusandBlade Runner,Raised by Wolveswas canceled after season 2. The show was originally available for streaming on HBO Max, but it has also lost its streaming home after cancellation.
As of now,Raised by Wolvesis not available for streaming anywhere in the US. Many viewers still hope that theRidley Scottseries will someday get a revival and have even campaigned to support its return. For now, however, its return seems unlikely.
Blade Runner
The original Blade Runner is a sci-fi neo-noir film set in 2019 in a dystopian cyber-punk society. Harrison Ford stars as Rick Deckard as a Blade Runner for the LAPD, tasked with hunting rogue replicants, genetically engineered humans designed to tackle tasks that human beings cannot. When four replicants go rogue and begin killing humans, Deckard is forced out of retirement to hunt them down and stop them - but the truth isn’t as simple as it seems. Deckard will have to reckon with the philosophical dilemma of what makes someone human.
Raised by Wolves
Cast
Raised by Wolves, released in 2015, is a modern-day reimagining of Caitlin Moran’s childhood on a Wolverhampton council estate. The series follows single mother Della as she raises her six children with occasional support from their grandfather, Grampy, in a three-bedroom council house.
