'Talamasca: The Secret Order' Review: Unearthing the Dark World of Shadows, Spells and the Supernatural
- Shauna Bushe
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
By Shauna Bushe - December 8, 2025
Talamasca: The Secret Order (2025) is a six-part-series that brings the kind of supernatural storytelling that feels both familiar and fresh. It leans heavily into atmosphere—dusty archives, encrypted histories, it’s like stepping into a shadowy corner of a world where magic, monsters, and mystery have always existed—just out of sight. The series aims to be a slow-burn mystery rather than a flashy monster show, and for the most part, it succeeds.
What is 'Talamasca: The Secret Order' about?
Talamasca: The Secret Order is a fantasy series about a young law graduate who joins a secret organization called the Talamasca to investigate a supernatural mystery. The Talamasca is an ancient, secretive agency that researches and monitors paranormal beings like vampires, witches, and werewolves, aiming to keep the balance between the supernatural and natural worlds. The series is set in Anne Rice's universe and follows the graduate as he uncovers the agency's secrets and confronts his family's past.
The atmosphere is one of the show’s biggest strengths. Every scene seems designed to tease some deeper secret, and the cinematography leans into that with dark libraries, hidden rooms, and old-world flashbacks that make everything feel ancient and important. The pacing can be uneven at times, especially early on, but once the plot threads start connecting, the payoff is satisfying. Arriving as a moody, lore-rich world where knowledge can mean both power and a curse, it’s a show built on secrets and treats those secrets with a kind of patience that reward viewers with a confidence to lean in. The premise centres on the Talamasca: tasked with observing the supernatural without interfering. It’s a fresh angle in a genre that often leans heavily on action. Here, restraint is the point—and the show’s greatest successes come from how it explores the emotional cost of watching the world’s darkest events unfold from the shadows.
The Faces Behind the Order
Helen (Elizabeth McGovern) — The Enigmatic Strategist.
Is a key architect of the Talamascas internal structure—part planner, part analyst, and the glue that holds the Order’s operations together. She rarely enters the field, but her influence is everywhere. Helen thrives in the realm of strategy, directing assignments, and ensuring the Order maintains the careful balance between secrecy and action.
Guy (Nicholas Denton) — The New Blood.
Is a character most shaped by trauma—both supernatural and personal—and his instinct is always to protect, even when the Order expects neutrality. Through-out the series Guy brings grounding to the narrative: he’s flawed, weary, and driven, making his scenes some of the most human moments in the series.
Jasper (William Fichtner) — The Observer Who Feels Too Much.
As one of the show’s most layered and quietly compelling characters, he embodies everything the Talamasca claims to value: discipline, objectivity, and an unwavering devotion to recording the supernatural without interfering. But what makes Jasper interesting is how consistently he strains against those ideals and doesn’t lean into the usual Vampire tropes.
Doris (Celine Buckens) — The Keeper of the Old Ways.
Her involvement in the series is quiet, but deeply influential and later revealed to also be a Vampire who was once human. Doris embodies Talamascas ancient roots, representing tradition, ritual and belief that the Order exists for a reason. However, she fears it, and that fear shapes many of her decisions.
Olive (Maisie Richardson-Sellers) — The Sceptic.
As the newest and least experienced member of the Talamasca, making her the natural audience surrogate, she’s unsure, curious, and visibly overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the Order’s responsibilities – begging the question: who made them, why do they exist, and whether they still serve a purpose.
Where the Show Thrives – and Where it Stumbles
At its best, Talamasca: The Secret Order excels at crafting atmosphere and depth. The world feels ancient, lived-in, and fragile. The characters carry emotional histories that bleed into every interaction. The show’s tone stays consistent—dark, thoughtful, and gently unsettling. However, the series does encounter stumbling points. The pacing can stretch itself thin, especially when mysteries are delayed for the sake of tension rather than storytelling. Some character arcs feel paused instead of progressed. And while the lore is intriguing, the show occasionally drops too much information at once, asking viewers to absorb mythology without enough emotional anchor. Still, the core is strong. When the characters collide—when the Scholar challenges the Leader, or when the Operative and Recruit face the supernatural together—the show becomes compelling in a way that hints at tremendous long-term potential.
Final Thoughts?
Talamasca: The Secret Order isn’t a loud, action-heavy supernatural drama. It’s a quieter, more introspective story about the burden of protecting knowledge—and the cost of witnessing darkness without intervention. Its imperfections are noticeable, but so are its ambitions. With rich worldbuilding, strong character foundations, and a tone that never wavers, the series lays promising groundwork for what could become a standout in modern supernatural television. For viewers who enjoy slow-burning mystery, vampirism, hidden histories, and morally complicated characters, Talamasca is absolutely worth stepping into.
'Talamasca: The Secret Order' is streaming now on Netflix. Watch now with a paid subscription.
Want more recommended streaming shows? Dive into more reviews, rankings, and film conversations on our site. Explore Film Focus Online now!
