On SYFY’s Astrid & Lilly Save the World, its titular heroines become self-taught monster hunters very quickly. The series is set up in such a way that the dynamic BFF duo must kill monsters and collect specific body parts in order to close the portal from which they came.
In a previous interview with the series’ stars, Jana Morrison and Samantha Aucoin shared that viewers throughout the season can “expect original monsters you’ve never thought of in your life.” PopWire not only compiled our list of favorites from the supernatural dramedy’s inaugural season, but we’ve ranked them as well.
5) WHIP MY HAIR
Episode #108 “Hair”
Written by Noelle Stehman & Betsy Van Stone and directed by Danishka Esterhazy
Monster: Somnium Viatore | Actor: Grace Ryan
We loved the Japanese-horror vibes this monster gave us. It was very reminiscent of the ones seen in The Grudge and The Ring. What’s impressive and adorable is that the monster is played by a little child!
“[Grace] had to get a prosthetic over her face,” Jana says. “So imagine your face is covered for I don’t know how many minutes or hours, but it was a lot, it looked like. I commend her. She was amazing, fun, and cute on set.” Adds Samantha: “That was easily my favorite monster because we got to be in these cocoons, which were insane. Those were wild.”
4) HE GOT A BIG EGO
Episode #106 “Toenail”
Written by Veronika Paz and directed by Audrey Cummings
Monster: Kevaculous | Actor: Marvin Ishmael
We loved that Principal Varshidi was boosting everyone’s confidence at Pine Academy (though the monster within him had reasons for doing so). We just couldn’t help but smile because Varshidi just had so much swag and the actor playing him, Marvin Ishmael, looked like he was having such a great time.
“I like the monster that possessed Varshidi,” Morrison says of her favorite monster of the season. “Marvin absolutely killed that, and I love acting with him.”
“The monster that I played allowed me to connect with an emotional freedom of doing anything, there was no limit,” Ishmael tells PopWire exclusively. “It blended the subtlety of evil with a physical ease that was fun! That movement from comedy to the desperation of the exorcism was a gift for the actor!
“I totally loved the experience because it was so different from what Varshidi has been so far,” he continues. “The director [Audrey Cummings] gave us freedom while ensuring that all beats were present. Being the main villain for the episode was my highlight for the season as it allowed me to play with the cast and create a wonderful monster.”
3) REMEMBER THE TIME
Episode #105 “A-Borg”
Written by Alix Markman and directed by Audrey Cummings
Monster: Memoragatu | Actor: Jana Gillis
The Memoragatu is a favorite because not only does the monster mess with you physically, but it messes you up emotionally as well. Talk about emotional damage. Once the monster touches you, you are forced to relive your worst memory. We applaud the beautifully eerie performance from Jana Gillis and also give a big shoutout to the great work from the art department.
2) SHOW ME YOUR TEETH
Episode #102 “Teeth”
Written by Betsy Van Stone & Noelle Stehman and directed by Jill Carter
Monster: Razor | Actor: Sheila McCarthy
Actress Sheila McCarthy was razor-sharp as monster Razor. McCarthy perfectly plays creepy AF in her normal, human form as faculty member Sally. But when Razor is ready to feast on her victims, Sharp-Tooth Sally’s teeth do not come from her mouth, but from just below her chin! What the what?! It was a pretty cool sight to see and definitely a terrifying experience for Val (Christina Orjalo).
1) CRY ME A RIVER
Episode #101 “Tontoom”
Written by Betsy Van Stone & Noelle Stehman and directed by Jill Carter
Monster: Tearjerker | Actor: Franco Lo Presti; Double: Seth Foley
The Tearjerker was the perfect monster for the series opener. He very much helped set up the tone of the show. This particular monster drank the tears from his victims when he’s not poking their eyes out. He also like to dance to club music! The Tearjerker was bizarre AF, but also hilarious and fun to watch. Gotta love this quote from one of his tied-up victims: “I know this monster thing is disgusting but is he also kinda sexy?” Also, the Tearjerker gets extra bonus points because of this.
HONORABLE MENTION
GOING VIRAL
Episode #104 “One Rib”
Written by Veronika Paz and directed by J Stevens
Monster: Josh | Actor: Derek Moran
Josh is (present tense because he wasn’t killed) just so awesome! He’s very different from the other monsters we’ve seen this season. His only fault is his alarming allergies, which makes his victims dance. That’s not so bad, right? He was very polite and friendly with Astrid and Lilly, and even willing to give up his rib to help out the girls. We’re hoping he makes a return in a potential Season 2.
So there you have it: the list of our favorite monsters from Season 1 of Astrid & Lilly Save the World. Did your favorites make the cut or were they left out? Let us know in the comments below!
Astrid & Lilly Save the World‘s season finale airs Wednesday, March 30 at 10pm on SYFY.
