Watch Twisted

Twisted is a mystery/drama television show that aired on FreeForm (previously known as ABC Family) from 2013 to 2014. The series tell the story of a troubled teen named Danny Desai, played by Avan Jogia, who returns to his hometown after serving five years in Juvenile Detention for murdering his aunt. He reunites with his best friends from childhood, Jo Masterson (Maddie Hasson) and Rico (Ashton Moio). Although he was only 11 years old at the time of the murder, the residents of the small town of Green Grove still view Danny as a social outcast, and most believe he is guilty of the crime.

As the series progresses, hints of emerging truths about the night of the murder are revealed, and the storyline becomes a twisted web of relationships, secrets, and uncovering of sinister truths about Danny and other residents of Green Grove. Throw in complex family dynamics, romantic entanglements, high school dramas, and the added mystery of a new murder, and each episode becomes more enthralling than the last.

Avan Jogia's portrayal of Danny Desai is both captivating and haunting. Throughout the show, Danny is wrestling with his past and attempting to create a new future for himself whilst living under the scrutiny and shunning of his small hometown. Although Danny seems stoic and composed, beneath the surface, he is struggling with his deep-seated rage and resentment towards those who have wronged him, and this simmering tempestuousness is evident in his facial expressions and voice. Though it is easy to think of Danny as the bad guy in the story, as the show progresses, it becomes increasingly difficult to wholly vilify him, and the viewer is forced to consider the validity of his claims.

Maddie Hasson's character, Jo, is Danny's former best friend who is attempting to come to terms with her previously unexplored feelings for him – all while struggling with her own issues, including her father's marital infidelities, her mother's alcoholism, and her brother's overbearing nature. Her performance is incredibly moving, as she portrays a young woman on the brink of discovering herself, whilst simultaneously attempting to make sense of the chaos that surrounds her.

Ashton Moio plays Rico, Danny's second-best friend, and is the brains of the group. Rico is always looking for ways to get ahead, and whilst he is loyal to his friends, he's also self-serving, which often creates tension between him and Danny. He is obsessed with technology and is a computer whiz, using his skills to help uncover new mysteries each week.

Throughout the show, the relationships between the characters become more complex, and the secrets they are hiding more sinister. Twisted expertly utilizes the familiar high school drama trope of unrequited love, teenage parties, and close-knit friendships, but adds the dark twist of murder and psychological trauma. The cinematography is top-notch, with the series utilizing the lush greenery of the Pacific Northwest as a stunning backdrop to the mysterious and often eerie events.

Despite its addictiveness, the series was tragically cancelled prematurely, ending on a suspenseful cliffhanger with so many unanswered questions. Overall, Twisted was a skilful blend of the familiar high school drama with dark and thrilling storytelling, anchored by an incredibly talented young cast. It was a shame the program was cancelled before it had the opportunity to tell its full story, as it was a favorite among viewers and critics alike.

Twisted is a series that ran for 7 seasons (30 episodes) between August 20, 2013 and on FreeForm