Twisted Metal returns with Season 2! Picking up seven months after the explosive finale of Season 1, we find John Doe, now a citizen of New San Francisco, struggling to leave his past behind. But when he is chosen to be the city’s driver in the mysterious Calypso’s tournament, his old life, and his old friends, come crashing back in. With the promise of a single wish for the winner, the stakes have never been higher.
The first season was all about the journey, but this one is all about the destination—a ridiculously dangerous, no-holds-barred tournament that puts the “twisted” in Twisted Metal. The show does a great job of expanding on the world and characters we already know while introducing some new faces directly from the game lore. It manages to balance its signature brand of zany, over-the-top humor with some genuinely emotional and high-stakes storytelling. While the show took its time to get to the actual tournament, the build-up was totally worth it. The tournament itself is pure, unadulterated vehicular mayhem, but it’s the character moments that really make this season shine.
This season really deepens the relationship between John and Quiet, exploring what their bond means now that they’re back together after being separated for seven months. It also does an amazing job of giving backstories and motivations to new characters that could have easily been one-note. The cast is on fire, with Anthony Mackie and Stephanie Beatriz still having fantastic chemistry, and new additions like Anthony Carrigan as Calypso and Michael James Shaw as Axel totally stealing the show. And of course, Sweet Tooth and Stu’s bizarre buddy comedy remains a highlight. The show’s ability to blend insane action, laugh-out-loud comedy, and a surprisingly heartfelt story about finding family in the apocalypse is truly impressive. It’s a fantastic continuation that manages to be both familiar and fresh. Buckle up, because the road to salvation is paved with burning rubber, twisted metal, and a whole lot of clowns.
Review
The second season of Twisted Metal really delivers on the promise of the first. While Season 1 was a road trip story that hinted at the larger world, Season 2 dives headfirst into the core concept of the games: a brutal, no-holds-barred tournament where the winner gets a wish. And it’s as chaotic and fun as you’d hope. The show keeps the comedic, irreverent tone that made the first season so great, but it manages to deepen the character development and expand the lore in a way that feels organic and, surprisingly, heartfelt. You’d think a show about a flaming-headed clown in an ice cream truck would be all surface-level fun, but the writers continue to find the heart in the apocalypse. The humor is still there, but it’s balanced with a new sense of purpose for John and Quiet. While the tournament doesn’t start right away, the lead-up does a great job of introducing new and exciting characters from the games, and a little bit of the lore that has made the franchise so beloved.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars one of my favorites of the last few years. I took off a half star for the one episode that felt weird at the time, the weird ass prom night episode felt out of place overall, but that said, it fits with the overall weird vibe, let’s just hope the ride continues.
Cast:
- Anthony Mackie as John Doe, the motor-mouthed driver with amnesia. Mackie continues to bring his A-game, making John equal parts charming and hilariously overconfident.
- Stephanie Beatriz as Quiet, the carjacker who finds new depths to her character and a new purpose.
- Joe Seanoa (with the voice of Will Arnett) as Sweet Tooth, the murderous clown. The dynamic between the physical performance of Seanoa and the iconic voice of Arnett is still one of the best things on television.
- Anthony Carrigan as Calypso. Known for his roles in Barry and as Metamorpho in Superman, Carrigan perfectly embodies the coy, gleeful malevolence of the tournament’s host. He is a definite standout and seems to have just stepped out of the game.
- Tiana Okoye as Dollface. John’s long-lost sister and the leader of the Dolls, a group of masked women who want equality for all.
- Michael James Shaw as Axel. The man whose arms are attached to two giant wheels. It’s a surreal and bizarre concept, and Shaw somehow gives the character a surprising amount of depth and pathos.
- Patty Guggenheim as Raven. The new leader of the Ravens, the wealthy insiders from New San Francisco. Guggenheim brings a theatrical and sinister energy to the role.
Special Effects:
The special effects in this season are even more impressive than the last, especially when it comes to the cars. The production team went all out, creating multiple versions of the vehicles for different stunts. They really leaned into practical effects, which gives the car chases and explosions a gritty, tangible feel that you just don’t get with CGI alone. The cars feel like characters in themselves, with each one having its own unique “personality.” The live-action realization of Axel, with his body attached to those massive wheels, is a sight to behold and a testament to the show’s practical effects team. The show also incorporates some excellent CGI when it comes to the more fantastical elements from the games, like some of the weapons and characters, but it’s used sparingly and effectively, never feeling like a crutch.
Synopsis and Plot Breakdown
Introduction to the World:
The season begins seven months after the conclusion of the first, with John Doe now living a comfortable life in the walled city of New San Francisco. However, he finds it difficult to adjust to his new, boring life, missing the thrill of the road. Meanwhile, Quiet, who was left outside the wall, has joined a group of masked women called the Dolls, led by the mysterious Dollface. Sweet Tooth and Stu are also still on the road, with Sweet Tooth on a quest to become the most infamous killer in the Divided States of America.
The Tournament Announcement:
The central plot is set in motion when a mysterious man named Calypso emerges from the shadows, broadcasting an announcement to the entire post-apocalyptic world. He is hosting a vehicular combat tournament called “Twisted Metal,” and the winner will be granted a single wish. This gets all the major players, old and new, on a collision course. John is chosen by New San Francisco to be their driver, and Quiet and her new crew decide to enter with a wish to tear down the walls between the insiders and outsiders.
Character Arcs and Conflicts:
The season is broken down into a series of elimination rounds and challenges that force the characters to confront their pasts and their desires. John struggles with his amnesia and the revelation that Dollface is his long-lost sister. Quiet, now with the Dolls, is more focused on her mission for equality. Their reunion is complicated, with a sense of “what could have been” and the new paths they have taken. The show introduces a host of new characters from the games, including the imposing Axel, the sinister Mr. Grimm, and others who all have their own wishes and motivations for entering the tournament. The show does a great job of giving these seemingly one-note characters backstories and personality.
The Climax and Aftermath:
The tournament culminates in a final, brutal showdown. While John and Quiet ultimately defeat their final opponent, the demonic Minion, they do so on foot. Stu, who has managed to survive the entire tournament, ends up being the last person with a working car and is declared the winner. He wishes for a safe place for him and his friend Mike, and Calypso grants it in a twisted way, sending them to a space capsule. The season ends with John and Quiet framed for a bombing that incites a war between the insiders and outsiders. They are forced back on the road, now with a new mission to find and kill Calypso to try and get Dollface back, who has been turned into Minion. In a final scene, it is revealed that Sweet Tooth is not dead, and has been taken to the Eastern Sovereignty, foreshadowing another threat for a potential Season 3.
Photos
Trailer
Episode by Episode Breakdown
Episode 1: “PRSRPNT”
John Doe is living it up in New San Francisco, but he’s bored out of his mind. He’s got a fancy apartment and everything, but he’s still a motor-mouthed outsider. We also see what Quiet has been up to—she’s found a new family with a group of masked women called the Dolls, led by Dollface, who turns out to be John’s long-lost sister, Krista. Meanwhile, Sweet Tooth and Stu are on their own chaotic road trip, with Sweet Tooth trying to cement his status as the most notorious killer in the country. The episode ends with the big announcement from the mysterious Calypso: a tournament with a single wish for the winner. The game is officially on.
Episode 2: “DOLF4C3”
This episode focuses on John’s reunion with his sister, Dollface. It’s not the heartfelt family reunion he imagined; she’s got a very different memory of their shared past, and John’s amnesia is a huge barrier between them. Quiet, now a part of Dollface’s crew, grapples with her own feelings about John and her new allegiance. We get more of the tournament’s setup, with the racers all gathering at a seemingly safe compound, which turns out to be an abandoned high school.
Episode 3: “T3STDRV”
The drivers are put through a series of tests to qualify for the main tournament. It’s not a car race yet; it’s a test of skill, strategy, and just how much chaos they can cause. We are introduced to more iconic characters from the games, including Axel, the poor guy attached to two giant wheels, and Mr. Grimm, who’s even more deranged than Sweet Tooth. John and Quiet try to navigate their complicated relationship while also trying to survive the increasingly dangerous challenges.
Episode 4: “LZGTBZY”
John and Quiet, now working together again (kind of), plan a heist to get some serious weapons for the upcoming tournament. Of course, this leads to a hilarious and destructive sequence that pulls Sweet Tooth and Stu right into the chaos. The humor and action are cranked up to eleven as the different factions clash in a quest for a major power-up.
Episode 5: “ONURMRK”
The tournament officially begins! The first real elimination round is pure vehicular combat. John and Quiet have to fight to survive in a chaotic free-for-all. This is where the show really leans into the Mad Max meets Mario Kart vibe, with cars customized with all sorts of destructive weapons. The stakes are raised as we see the true brutality of the tournament and the lengths people will go to for their wish.
Episode 6: “MKAW1SH”
John and Quiet are still fighting to survive, but they also have to try and save an ally who is in trouble. This episode explores the wishes of some of the other drivers and shows just how twisted Calypso’s deals can be. We get a deeper look at the motivations of some of the secondary characters, which adds a surprising amount of emotional weight to the carnage.
Episode 7: “H1TNRVN”
John and Quiet face a series of setbacks that test their alliance. Sweet Tooth, meanwhile, shifts his focus to winning the tournament, believing that the wish will give him what he truly wants. This episode features some intense emotional moments for the main duo, and we get a better understanding of just how much they have both been changed by their time apart.
Episode 8: “SDDNDTH”
New alliances are formed as the final rounds of the tournament get closer. The remaining drivers have to team up to face their toughest challenge yet, a massive battle that pushes everyone to their limits. The show does a great job of showing how temporary these alliances are, with everyone just waiting for the right moment to betray one another.
Episode 9: “VAVAVUM”
Calypso drops a massive twist on the remaining competitors, which throws everything into disarray. Sweet Tooth goes on a wild rampage, and John and Quiet are forced to confront their feelings for each other. This episode is the calm before the storm, a chance for the characters to have a final moment of quiet before the final battle.
Episode 10: “NUY3ARZ”
The finale is a three-part crash-and-burn special. The final battle is a spectacular, all-out war with a final confrontation between John and Quiet and a resurrected Dollface, who has been turned into the demonic Minion. They ultimately defeat Minion on foot after all the cars are destroyed. In a crazy twist, Stu, who survived all the battles, is declared the winner and wishes for a safe place for him and his friend Mike. Calypso grants the wish in a twisted way, sending Stu to a space capsule orbiting the Earth.
Episode 11: “M1N10N”
This episode follows the immediate aftermath of the tournament. John and Quiet find a moment of peace, settling into John’s childhood home. However, it’s short-lived, as they are framed for a bombing that incites a war between New San Francisco and the outsiders. They realize they have to go back on the road to find and kill Calypso to get Dollface back.
Episode 12: “CHR1S”
A very strange opening where Calypso is pitching the show to NBC. Then we get some setup for season 3 as the show sets up a huge war for a potential Season 3, pitting the insiders against the outsiders, with John and Quiet on the run and Sweet Tooth in the clutches of his new master. The final scene takes us back to Dr. Zemu’s lab, where a giant rat is heard, hinting at new and terrifying creations to come. The season ends with a promise of even more chaos to come.
In a post-credit scene, we see Sweet Tooth, who was believed to have been killed in the final battle, is alive and being taken to the Eastern Sovereignty, ruled by Charlie Kane.
Review Notes
Sweet Tooth’s “Dad Jokes” and Random Musings: Will Arnett’s voice-over is still a masterclass in comedic delivery. Sweet Tooth is constantly spouting off the most ridiculous, out-of-pocket things, often with a completely serious tone. He’s like a murderous, fire-headed version of the guy at a party who’s got way too much useless trivia to share. He might be threatening to dismember someone one second, and the next he’s dropping some random fact about a celebrity from 20 years ago.
John’s “I got a plan” moments: John Doe, being the lovable doofus that he is, is always talking a big game. He’ll get into a ridiculously dangerous situation and confidently declare, “Don’t worry, I got a plan!” only for that plan to immediately and spectacularly fall apart. The humor comes from Anthony Mackie’s completely sincere, yet wildly misplaced, confidence.
The introduction of Axel: When we first see Axel, with his body literally fused to two giant, spinning wheels, it’s a ridiculous visual. The show completely leans into it, with characters awkwardly trying to figure out how to interact with him and John asking the most blunt, insensitive questions. The fact that the character himself is so serious and stoic makes the whole situation even funnier.
Calypso’s “twisted” wishes: Anthony Carrigan’s Calypso is an absolute hoot. He’s so gleefully evil, and the way he “grants” wishes is a source of constant dark comedy. He’ll promise something to a contestant, only to deliver it in the most literal, ironic, and horrifying way possible. The show does a great job of setting up a wish that seems simple and then revealing just how badly it’s going to go wrong.
The continuing saga of Sweet Tooth and Stu: Their odd-couple dynamic is still a goldmine. Stu is a total coward who just wants to survive, and Sweet Tooth is a psychopathic killer who loves him like a little brother. The conversations they have in the ice cream truck are bizarre, funny, and surprisingly tender. Stu’s constant exasperated reactions to Sweet Tooth’s insane plans are some of the best moments in the show. Then the ending with Stu becoming a badass… “Come with me if you want to live” Chef’s Kiss.
The general absurdity of it all: The show’s entire premise is a joke, and it never forgets that. A lot of the funniest stuff isn’t a specific line but a combination of things. A group of heavily armed, armored cars rolling up to an abandoned high school, a guy with a flaming head having a heart-to-heart with his best friend, or a massive, explosive car chase set to a pop song from the 90s. The show knows exactly what it is, and it’s not afraid to be completely ridiculous.
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