The Among Us series, derived from the video game that kept everyone glued to screens during the Covid era, is already available on Paramount+.
While the Covid crisis did leave behind a slew of negative effects, the video game industry was one of the few sectors that benefited from our mandated lockdowns (at least until 2021, when that growth began to bite back). There were those who poured their lives into Tom Nook and their island in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and those who prioritized multiplayer experiences, like Fall Guys. Yet in this particular space, few titles stood out as much as Among Us.
Ok, the revival is a faithful and accessible take on Werewolves with an Alien and The Thing twist, and Innersloth’s concept has evolved into a late-blooming phenomenon and an indispensable date for Zoom hangs that are going well between bottles of wine on the couch. Given its concept and the references in its universe, Hollywood didn’t have to wait long to look at adapting it. Paramount+ is taking the plunge with an animated series… which just handed us a little surprise.
Who is the Impostor?
Indeed, the Among Us series nabbed the video game world’s strategy of a shadow drop: during Summer Game Fest (held the night of Friday, June 5), Owen Dennis’s creation (Infinity Train) was unveiled by two of its voice actors—Yvette Nicole Brown (Community) and Liv Hewson (Santa Clarita Diet, Yellowjackets). Together, they revealed the show’s trailer, but more importantly its immediate availability on Paramount+.
This little surprise also reached France, and perhaps it needed that promotional jolt to captivate the crowd. Among Us promises to borrow the game’s mechanics and the reflexes its players have honed to unmask the impostor among the colorful crew aboard a spaceship, where everyone is compelled to complete a set of tasks.
Even if Among Us has lost some of its peak after the end of the pandemic, this derivative series does seem to arrive a bit late—though Summer Game Fest also showcased a new game. Still, this claustrophobic setup, if written solidly and with humor, could still have its effect. It’s backed by an intriguing voice cast that includes, among others, Elijah Wood (The Lord of the Rings), Patton Oswalt (Ratatouille), Dan Stevens (Downton Abbey, Godzilla X Kong), Debra Wilson (Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order), Ashley Johnson (Ellie in the The Last of Us video games), and Randall Park (Ant-Man).
The ten episodes of Among Us are available on Paramount+. The first episode is even available for free on YouTube.
