“THEM,” the acclaimed anthology series created by Little Marvin and produced by Lena Waithe, returns with its second season following the seismic impact of its controversial debut, subtitled Covenant. In its inaugural season, the series delved into the troubling journey of a Black family migrating from North Carolina to an all-white Los Angeles neighborhood during the Great Migration, where their dream home swiftly morphed from a sanctuary to a crucible of horrors. Now, in its second season, subtitled “The Scare,” the narrative focuses on Dawn Reeves and Edmund Gaines. Dawn is an LAPD Homicide Detective investigating a gruesome murder within a foster home. As she delves deeper, disturbing connections to her own life begin to surface, suggesting a sinister force at work. Edmund is an aspiring actor who works at a children’s arcade center. Despite his dreams, he struggles with rejection and self-doubt, leading him down a dark path where reality and delusion blur.

As “THEM” continues to unfold, viewers find themselves on the edge of their seats, pulled deeper into the maze of mystery and horror. The gruesome crimes persist, shrouded in mystery, prompting viewers to ponder the connection between these two seemingly unrelated characters. Yet, beneath the surface, the true horror lies not only in the crimes themselves but in the depths of the human psyche and history, waiting to be uncovered.

In this thrilling season, Deborah Ayorinde stars as Dawn Reeves, a LAPD Homicide Detective drawn into the murder of Bernice Mott, a foster mother found brutally twisted and crammed into a sink cabinet. The crime scene, littered with cracked glass, a broken clock, and cleaning supplies leading up to the scene, unnerves Dawn, whose sharp professionalism is tested by the gruesome discovery. Driven by a mission to honor her late father by making a significant impact on her community, Dawn faces relentless challenges, including racism and misogyny in her field. This case proves to be her toughest yet. As she progresses with the investigation, more victims are revealed, truths are uncovered, and something sinister latches onto her and her family.

Meanwhile, Edmund Gaines, portrayed by Luke James, dreams of becoming an actor despite his day job. His aspirations are shattered when he botches an audition for a “gangster” role and is mocked by Donovan, the cameraman, portrayed by Brey Howard. His confidence takes a hit, but Ronda, the receptionist at the casting agency, portrayed by Tamika Shannon, offers to help by finding a script that better suits him. Ronda discovers a script featuring a serial killer as the protagonist and encourages Edmund to pursue it. After the failed audition, Edmund begins to exhibit odd behavior, such as watching Ronda and Donovan. This behavior intensifies as he becomes obsessively consumed with the role.

Simultaneously, “The Man with Red Hair,” a sinister figure lurking ominously in mirrors and windows, is connected to the series of murders. Victims, including Bernice Mott, mentioned a man targeting them before their deaths, with some describing him as having red hair. Initially, the suspect is thought to be a human perpetrator, and Dawn even suspects her partner McKinney. However, as bizarre events continue and plague Dawn’s family, it becomes evident that the killer is an otherworldly entity. This malevolent force is revealed to be Edmund, who, after descending into madness and committing murder, surrenders to a supernatural power by killing himself. He is then transformed into “The Man with Red Hair.”

In the true fashion of the “THEM” series, there’s an element of its universe reflecting the time in which it’s set. This season is set between 1989 and 1991 in Los Angeles. Throughout the series, there are moments that reflect pivotal historical events such as the Rodney King case, where King was beaten by four Los Angeles police officers after a high-speed chase in 1991. A bystander's footage was released nationally, but the officers were acquitted of all charges a year later, which led to the L.A. Riots. In the opening scene of episode 1, titled “:Are You Scared?,” we see Dawn looking at her TV with the footage being broadcasted and Rodney King being interviewed after the incident. There’s also a reference to the Southside Slayer (referred to as the “Southside Strangler” in the series), which took place in Los Angeles from the 1980s to the 1990s. This term was used by the media to describe a serial killer who murdered more than 100 prostitutes, predominantly Black.

This season excels in weaving historical elements into its narrative, but what stands out even more is its exploration of personal history and lineage. When we first meet Edmund, he seems like an ordinary, nerdy guy with big dreams. However, we quickly discover that he’s peculiar and somewhat unhinged. In episode 4, “Happy Birthday, Sweet Boy,” Edmund attends a book signing where Dr. Gaines, the author of the audiobook he frequently listens to, turns out to be his former foster father. The book is inspired by Edmund's life, although he is not directly mentioned, and it delves into foundational childhood experiences. Edmund seeks answers as to why his foster father abandoned him at 12, and Dr. Gaines explains that his behavioral problems were overwhelming. Now, as an adult, Edmund finds the book resonating with his struggles and seeks redemption from Dr. Gaines, who, however, dismisses him and advises him to seek help elsewhere.

In episode 5, titled “Dead Ringers,” we see Edmund after he has murdered Donovan, sitting in his apartment and caressing his Raggedy Ann doll. He receives an important phone call, after which he drives to Dawn’s home with a cake and rings the doorbell. Dawn comes to the door, and her son Kel, portrayed by Joshua J. Williams, appears, explaining he forgot his key. Edmund is then confronted by Dawn’s then-husband Corey, portrayed by Iman Shumpert, followed by Dawn herself. This scene, set in 1989, reveals that Edmund’s storyline takes place two years before Dawn. Edmund pretends to be a new neighbor trying to get to know the locals. He starts asking questions but becomes uneasy when it is revealed that Dawn is a detective. She notices something suspicious and tells Edmund to leave and never return to her neighborhood, threatening to arrest him if he does. The phone call Edmund received had disclosed the address of his long-lost twin sister, who turns out to be Dawn, who is unaware of this connection because, as revealed in episode 4, her mother Athena, portrayed by Pam Grier, suddenly disclosed that Dawn was adopted.

The revelation of Dawn and Edmund’s twin connection adds a poignant layer to the series, highlighting the theme of generational trauma. In the final episode, "The Box," it is revealed that Dawn and Edmund's birth mother is Ruby Lee Emory, the eldest daughter of Lucky and Henry Emory from season 1. Ruby left Dawn and Edmund with Bernice Mott, one of the victims, because their father ran off and her own childhood experiences haunted her. If you don’t recall, the Emory family endured supernatural entities, torture, torment, and racial trauma throughout the season. Ruby, unaware of Bernice's abusive nature, inadvertently perpetuated the cycle of trauma. She left Dawn and Edmund with Raggedy Ann dolls, which explains why Edmund cherishes his doll deeply. This revelation underscores that adverse experiences can indeed be passed from generation to generation, almost as if they were genetic. Sometimes, these experiences manifest as addictions, anxiety, depression, or mental disorders. In the case of the twins, who suffered abuse from Bernice, their family's history with supernatural entities, torment, and trauma also likely played a significant role in shaping Edmund's experiences. Unbeknownst to him, these inherited traumas fed into the entity that preyed on his fears, ultimately transforming him into “The Man with Red Hair.”

“THEM: The Scare” contains complex layers and intersections, but at its core, it embodies psychological horror by exploring themes of abuse, generational trauma, perception, and fear. The series masterfully illustrates how psychological factors contribute to the true horror of the narrative. Edmund and Dawn, the central characters, respond differently to their traumatic past, shaping their adult lives in profound ways.

Dawn remains unaware of her trauma, her memories blocked by Athena's manipulation, and a phenomenon known as trauma blocking. Living in blissful ignorance, she adjusts to a family she doesn't realize isn't blood-related. However, despite her seemingly better circumstances, the impact of her trauma is undeniable. In stark contrast, Edmund vividly remembers his traumatic childhood. Enduring Bernice's abuse alongside Dawn—subjected to her verbal tirades, punishments, and confinement in a closet box—he bears the scars of a troubling past. Following Mr. Reeves' demise, Athena's blame and subsequent return of Edmund at the tender age of 3 further exacerbated his turmoil. Adopted by Dr. Gaines, only to be abruptly cast aside at 12, Edmund was left destitute, devoid of resources. These experiences deeply etched his psyche, molding his resilience in the face of rejection and criticism.

Unwittingly, both Edmund and Dawn were being preyed upon by “the scare,” gradually consuming Edmund and transforming him into “The Man with Red Hair.” Edmund, already in a vulnerable state due to his misfortunes, found himself particularly susceptible to its influence. In the final episode, we witness “the scare” attempting to entice Dawn, urging her to surrender herself to its form of an entity. Dawn, having reconnected with memories and trauma, now found herself equally vulnerable. This portrayal highlights the power of trauma and fears, which can sometimes overwhelm us, turning us into something akin to a monster if left unaddressed or explored.

In reflecting on the journey through this season of “THEM,” one cannot help but acknowledge its sheer excellence. From start to finish, it was nothing short of phenomenal. With each episode, “The Scare” took viewers on a wild ride, unraveling the mystery behind "The Man with Red Hair" and compelling us to piece together the logic. The writing was masterful, beautifully executed by the cast members. Luke James, in particular, delivered an amazing performance, portraying such a complex character with undeniable range. “THEM: The Scare” will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact, not just as a piece of entertainment, but as a powerful testament to the importance of storytelling in confronting and understanding the darkest corners of ourselves.

Article by Shawna Small, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine

Are You Scared? A Deep Dive into “THEM: The Scare”