Watch Strange Angel

Strange Angel is a period drama based on the true story of Jack Parsons, a rocket engineer in 1930s Los Angeles who is also deeply involved in the occult. The show opens with Jack (played by Jack Reynor) working as a janitor at Caltech, where he becomes fascinated with rocketry and dreams of one day launching a rocket into space. However, his unconventional beliefs and behaviors make him an outsider in the staid, conservative world of science.

At the same time, Jack becomes involved with a group of occultists led by Aleister Crowley (played in a cameo by Michael Balin), who encourage him to explore his mystical side and use it to achieve his goals. Jack becomes increasingly drawn to their beliefs, which involve summoning spirits and performing elaborate rituals, and begins to see his rocketry work as a way of bridging the gap between science and magic.

One day, Jack meets a beautiful woman named Susan (played by Bella Heathcote), who works for the wealthy and influential Pasadena socialite Ernest Donovan (played by Rupert Friend). Despite their vastly different backgrounds and beliefs, Jack and Susan fall in love and start a passionate affair that threatens to upend both of their lives.

As Jack becomes more involved with the occultists and his rocketry work becomes more ambitious, he finds himself caught between two worlds: the rational, scientific world of his colleagues at Caltech, and the mystical, supernatural world of the occultists. Meanwhile, Susan becomes more and more deeply involved with Ernest and his strange, secretive activities, which include attending bizarre sex rituals and performing dangerous experiments with drugs and mind control.

Throughout the series, Jack faces numerous challenges and setbacks, both in his personal life and in his pursuit of a successful rocket launch. He also becomes embroiled in a power struggle between Crowley and his rival, the mysterious and enigmatic Frater 616 (played by David Strathairn), which puts both his career and his safety in jeopardy.

Despite its slow pace and sometimes confusing storyline, Strange Angel is a compelling drama that offers a unique perspective on the intersection of science, mysticism, and personal ambition. Reynor gives a nuanced and complex performance as Parsons, and is well-supported by Heathcote and Friend, who bring depth and emotion to their respective roles.

The show is also visually stunning, with beautifully shot scenes that capture the glitz and glamour of 1930s Hollywood and the eerie otherworldliness of the occult rituals. The soundtrack, which features both period-appropriate songs and haunting original compositions, adds to the overall sense of foreboding and unease.

Overall, Strange Angel is a thought-provoking and visually stunning drama that offers a unique perspective on a fascinating historical figure. Whether you're interested in rocketry, the occult, or just a good period drama with plenty of intrigue and drama, this show is definitely worth checking out.

Strange Angel is a series that ran for 2 seasons (17 episodes) between June 14, 2018 and on CBS All Access