Gizmo’s Past in Secrets of the Mogwai Is Scarier Than Gremlins
Written by on May 29, 2023
The following contains spoilers for Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai Episode 1, “Never Get Them Wet,” and Episode 2,” Never Feed Them After Midnight,” now streaming on Max.
With Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai‘s debut, it’s clear that there’s more to the classic Gremlins franchise than meets the eye. This prequel is adding layers to Gizmo’s story, shaping immense tragedy in his past. It informs why he’d be so timid in the films, with years of war scarring him as he tries to get back to his kin.
As the Secrets of the Mogwai trailers promised, a lot has to do with a key supernatural battle set decades before in the 1920s. It takes place in China when a mage, Riley, comes hunting for the fuzzy creature en route to the Jade Valley where the clan hides out. When the sorcerer shows his vengeful side, it makes Gizmo’s backstory much scarier than first assumed.
Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai Unleashes a New Monster
A younger Sam Wing (played by Izaac Wang) rescues Gizmo from an oppressive circus, with Grandpa Wing in awe that he’s finally found a magical creature. Sam eventually buys into the mission to return the being to the Jade Valley. But Riley attacks with his goons, wanting to capture and terrorize China with Gremlins. Shockingly, the mage withstands mystical blasts from a weapon Grandpa has, affirming he might not be human.
This monstrous concept is kicked up a notch when Riley sucks out Grandpa’s soul and chucks him into an orb. He then swallows it in a disturbing scene not made for kids. It turns the dark comedy of the movies into full-blown horror as he expands his mouth like some demonic figure. The disturbing scene petrifies Sam’s family, as well as the girl, Elle, Riley uses to run the streets.
Riley isn’t just a physical monster, but a mental one, too. He constantly abuses Elle emotionally, making it clear he’ll kill her and the other street urchins. To him, they’re nothing more than child slaves he has no problem feeding on. Couple that with his thugs going through China, willing to kill anyone, and one can understand how this journey damages Gizmo as he sees his friends suffering.
Secrets of the Mogwai’s Horror Reinforces a Major Theme
It’s no secret this animated series was going to be a supernatural bonanza. But this darker edge does feel a bit surprising given how violent it is on a cerebral and physical level. The movies can be haunting, but not to this extreme. This direction does give Riley a more dangerous, intimidating edge than just an arbitrary wizard reciting incantations or casting spells with hands. Even Sam’s parents, Hon and Fong Wing (played by BD Wong and Ming-Na Wen, respectively), are left broken after being taken prisoner by the mage.
Riley has hand signals a la Naruto and Doctor Strange, affirming he’s always up for murder and a meal. Such an approach will push Sam and Co. to get even more aggressive if they want to win. This does address, though, how Gremlins, as much as it’s touted as being for kids, has always had aggression and torture more suited for adults. Families are going to be in for quite a swerve when they see Riley cutting loose. That said, for diehards, he is a far better villain than some overlord looking for sideshow pets or someone looking to sell the Mogwai. Ultimately, with a mage so brutal and horrific, Secrets of the Mogwai organically lays the foundation for why Gizmo ends up afraid of the outside world.
Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai debuts new episodes Tuesdays on Max.
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