Premiered: December 17, 2020

On: CBS All Access

Starring: James Marsden, Odessa Young, Jovan Adepo, Henry Zaga, Whoopi Goldberg, Alexander Skarsgård, Greg Kinnear, Irene Bedard, Nat Wolff, Owen Teague, Amber Heard, Brad William Henke, Ezra Miller, Natalie Martinez, Gabrielle Rose, Gordon Cormier, Katherine McNamara, Fiona Dourif, Eion Bailey & Olivia Cheng

Based on the Stephen King novel, The Stand has mostly strong performances by an all-star cast but is consumed by a lackluster storyline.

After a lethal strain of influenza starts spreading, a battle of good and evil starts between one group led by Mother Abagail (Whoopi Goldberg) and another led by The Dark Man (Alexander Skarsgård). Stu (James Marsden), Larry (Jovan Adepo), Glen (Greg Kinnear) and Ray (Irene Bedard) are sent on a journey to bring peace back.

The main casting mishap is Amber Heard, who plays the conflicted Nadine Cross. None of her actions or emotions feel believable enough to justify her story and you’ll be wishing that she perishes quickly.

Based on the novel size, there were probably many more parts that could’ve been cut to make it flow better.

Final say: You’ll want to sit for this. ★★☆☆☆