Yaga: Hudson Williams' Supernatural Thriller Is Halloween's Perfect New Mystery Series | Review

Credit: AMC AMC+'s Yaga adaptation comes to life, based on Kat Sandler's play of the same name, taking Hudson Williams into the intense, gritty thriller genre. Published Oct 21, 2026, 11:00 AM EDT Andy Behbakht has worked as an entertainment journalist since 2010, covering all the latest in Hollywood on both the big and small screens, from staying on top of the biggest breaking news, analyzing movies and television shows in Hollywood, to in-depth interviews with actors and storytellers. Andy's career includes having worked for publications such as FanSided, KSiteTV, TV Fanatic, It's Just Movies, Heroic Hollywood, TV Overmind, and more. Outside of his career as an established reporter, Andy is the host and producer of The Showrunner Whisperer, The Flash Podcast, the editor-in-chief of Multiverse of Color, and the network director of DC TV Podcasts. AMC+ is tackling a classic witch tale for the 21st century, and the timing couldn't be more perfect. The horror genre is seeing more success than ever in Hollywood, whether it is through the many films that are being released or the TV series that get adapted or crafted for streaming platforms. The Halloween season is here, and as networks and studios are getting into their programming slate for the annual event, Crave (with distribution on AMC+ in the United States) is bringing Kat Sandler's Yaga to the small screen, based on the 2019 play, with the author bringing her creation to the world of television. As Henry Park goes missing, it brings Rapp to town to investigate his disappearance, while teaming up with the local detective, Carson. Things quickly begin to become clear that there is more going on than meets the eye, as the show's darker and sinister mystery unfolds. Hudson Williams & Carrie-Anne Moss Shine In Yaga As someone who has never seen Sandler's original play, going into Yaga fresh for what it is, Hudson Williams and Carrie-Anne Moss became the driving factors of the drama. For anyone who has come to love Williams after Heated Rivalry, the AMC+ TV show showcases him in the dual role of Henry and his look-alike, Logan Casey, allowing viewers to see the breakout star play two very different characters, as the more disturbing elements of the arc crystallize throughout the series. Moss, who is a beloved icon in the many genres she has taken part in across the big and small screens, plays the calculated and mysterious professor, Katherine, someone who is driven to younger men. Like many of her previous performances, she makes you want to see more, as her part in all of this slowly becomes clearer over the course of the season. Along with Williams, it doesn't take long for Yaga to peel off the layers of what their characters are, and it is unsettling in more ways than one. With each episode at the 30-minute mark, the drama doesn't get stuck; it quickly develops its disturbing premise, leaving you wondering where things go next. While it takes the dynamic between Rapp (Noah Reid) and Carson (Clark Backo) a few episodes, the duo's ongoing banter is solid, as it continues to grow throughout the season. Even though there are times where Rapp comes off as a very typical womanizer, Yaga also finds ways to showcase that he is more than that. With each episode at the 30-minute mark, the drama doesn't get stuck; it quickly develops its disturbing premise, leaving you wondering where things go next. Yaga Does Not Hold Back On The Steaminess & Gritty Supernatural It does not take more than one episode for Sandler's series to show how steamy the Crave Original is, in the midst of the investigation taking place, which lends itself to a lot of humorous and dramatic points throughout the season. It doesn't shy away from how sexual it is, while also reminding its audience that Henry is still missing. However, the season shines the most whenever it focuses on the Baba Yaga folklore, as the principal characters slowly begin to discover the fascination, while also unveiling the supernatural elements of the limited series. For anyone who is not familiar with the Slavic entity in any capacity, the TV show is a decent introduction to the myth through a modern lens. There are definitely moments throughout Yaga where they could have taken things a step further into the supernatural of it all, especially as the Crave TV show has the freedom to do so. Nevertheless, the darker views and scenes where it is more than an investigative drama are where you feel that this is something new to the genre. Can Yaga Stick The Landing? Having seen the first seven episodes in advance, all that is left is episode 8, which will serve as part two of the finale that AMC+ has planned for viewers on November 27. By the end of episode 7, the stakes are higher than ever, but whether or not the following installment will bring satisfaction to the suspenseful arc remains to be seen. However, I remain hopeful, as things escalate so chaotically, that it will ideally leave this horror enthusiast satisfied. When it comes to the grounded magic of it all, Yaga has some of the most disturbing imagery of the year, and will most likely leave a lot of viewers not wanting to see chickens for a minute. Overall, through seven episodes, Sandler's TV adaptation is an unexpected horror that meshes comedy, freakish drama, and mythology together in one solid package, and for anyone looking to add to their Halloween collection, this one is for you. When it comes to the grounded magic of it all, Yaga has some of the most disturbing imagery of the year, and will most likely leave a lot of viewers not wanting to see chickens for a minute. Outside a fascinating plot, the cast thrives with Williams, as he shows how he is a born chameleon star, while also highlighting that Moss is a legend to this day. Reid and Backo as a duo also help carry the Rapp and Carson relationship, raising questions about where their dynamic stands by the end of the series. Yaga is set to premiere with the first two episodes on Friday, October 23, followed by weekly individual releases until the two-part finale arrives on Friday, November 27, on AMC+. Release Date October 23, 2026 Network AMC Showrunner Kat Sandler Directors David Frazee, Rachel Talalay Writers Kat Sandler, Kay Shioma Metchie, Nadine Bhabha Cast Creator(s) Kat Sandler Main Genre Drama Executive Producer(s) Carrie-Anne Moss, MacKenzie Donaldson, Andrew Miller, Rachel Talalay, Carolyn Newman, David Frazee, Justin Stockman, Kat Sandler Producers Justin Stockman, Charles Cooper Seasons 1 Pros & Cons Hudson Williams and Carrie-Anne Moss' enigmatic players are the driving factors for Yaga. Noah Reid and Clark Backo are a solid duo. Yaga could have benefitted more from going even deeper into the supernatural element. The runtime for each episode may leave some audience members torn.