10 Great TV Shows That Are Ugly On Purpose
5. Raised By Wolves
When you say "science fiction", most people imagine roaming starships, lens flare, shiny polished surfaces and intricate robots. Well, those same people might be a little shocked by the look of this (recently unjustly cancelled) HBO series.
Raised By Wolves is a beautiful-looking experience, but it's also hideous at the same time, which is quite a feat. It should come as no surprise that this show is essentially an anti-sci-fi, as it came from the mind of Ridley Scott, who has revolutionised the genre more than once.
The series is based on a primitive planet devoid of life and culture. It's a beige and austere environment that feels dystopic and empty. Thus, the colours are deliberately desaturated to provide a hard contrast to the characters and their technology.
This was a genius move as it captured the toil & struggle of the central figures. But, it also made the rare moments of excessive VFX look spectacular by comparison. You'd be treated to sudden bursts of technology/stylish visuals against the ugly scorched earth backdrop, making it a constant juxtaposition of styles.
Again, it's a shame this show was cancelled prematurely, but you should seek it out if you want a sci-fi that doesn't look like sci-fi.