Yaga review: Carrie-Anne Moss, Hudson Williams enchant in a seductive mystery
There is something deliciously unpredictable about Yaga. A missing heir, a mysterious professor, a sexually charged small town, strange rituals and whispers of an ancient witch make for an unusual mix. Yet, the series manages to bring these seemingly disparate elements together without losing its grip on the mystery. It is seductive, occasionally unsettling and, most importantly, knows exactly when to move on before a moment overstays its welcome.
Set in the coastal town of Whittock, the eight-episode series follows private investigator Charlie Rapp (Noah Reid), who is hired to investigate the disappearance of Henry Park (Hudson Williams), the heir to a wealthy fishing family. He joins forces with local detective Carson (Clark Backo), and what initially appears to be a straightforward missing-person case soon opens up a rather disturbing world of secrets, sexual politics and supernatural possibilities.
The town itself is almost a character. Everyone seems to know something they are unwilling to share, and behind its seemingly quiet exterior lies a history of strange happenings and questionable behaviour. The investigation leads Charlie and Carson to Katherine Hargrove (Carrie-Anne Moss), an unconventional university professor whose interest in younger men has made her the subject of considerable gossip. But Katherine is far more complicated than the town's perception of her suggests. Moss brings an effortless allure to the character, making her difficult to read and even harder to ignore.
Williams, meanwhile, gets an interesting opportunity to stretch himself by playing both Henry and his lookalike roommate, Logan. The latter is a character created specifically for the television adaptation, giving the actor two distinct personalities to work with. Henry, the missing heir, carries the confidence and entitlement of someone accustomed to getting his way. Logan, by contrast, is awkward, guarded and considerably more difficult to read. Williams differentiates the two through their physicality and mannerisms, using prosthetics to transform his appearance as Logan and a distinct voice for Henry. The differences are not merely cosmetic; they help sustain the mystery surrounding the two men and their relationship. It is a neat showcase of Williams' range, particularly as both characters are deliberately far removed from the more likeable persona audiences came to admire in Heated Rivalry.
The series' biggest strength is how comfortably it moves between folklore, sex, mystery and humour. There is an erotic charge running through much of the storytelling, but it rarely feels like provocation for its own sake. Desire is closely tied to power, manipulation and the ways men and women navigate relationships in a community where everyone appears to have something to hide. The chemistry between Reid and Backo adds another layer, with their contrasting personalities making their investigative partnership particularly entertaining.
What makes Yaga even more interesting is its engagement with the legend of Baba Yaga, the Slavic folklore figure often portrayed as a frightening witch. The series isn't simply borrowing an old supernatural myth to make its mystery more intriguing. It questions how such figures are created in the first place and why women who refuse to conform have so often been labelled dangerous, wicked or unnatural. The witch becomes a symbol of female power, anger and resistance, particularly in a world where powerful men have been allowed to get away with their behaviour while women are left to deal with the consequences.- EndsALSO READ | Student of the Year After Dark to Jailer 2: 10 OTT binge-worthy releases this week
Bhavna is passionate about dramas and films and loves writing about them. Currently oscillating between K-content, BTS and Bollywood, Bhavna dreams of an epic crossover between both the worlds.
