Netflix show defies death itself

By Sarah Fischer

On Nov. 30, Netflix launched one of the largest and most unique series of its kind: “Death By Magic.” This drama-infused show is the first magic performance series to be introduced to Netflix, and the concept is one that’s never been seen before in this scale.

“Death By Magic” is an eight-part series featuring magician Drummond Money-Coutts, known as DMC, performing various magic stunts around the world that famous magicians died attempting throughout history. Money-Coutts creates more deadly and modern versions of these stunts, some of which include attempting to escape a car filling quickly with water, a variation of Russian roulette and an attempted escape from a buried coffin.

Each episode takes place in a different country and Money-Coutts performs many smaller tricks throughout the episode that work as a precursor to his main act.

Money-Coutts uses sleight of hand, mentalism and escape tactics to astonish his audience, but there’s an unbelievable element that embodies the show.

“Death By Magic” is an impressive and entertaining concept, but the idea of a magic show series that endures multiple sessions of editing, scripting and planning places plenty of doubt in people’s minds about how genuine the reactions of the audience and the timing of the tricks really are.

Editing is one of the most important aspects that bring a movie or television series to life by adding drama and emotion.

Like any show, “Death By Magic” contains copious amounts of scene and audio editing, and each individual who might have a chance at an on-air appearance must sign the proper paperwork giving permission to do so; not to mention the extraneous efforts in lighting and camera angles a television show requires.

These aspects take away from the mesmerizing tricks in typical “street magic,” which usually involve random audience member selection and little room for reaction and preparation. Money-Coutts uses audience participation in nearly all of his tricks, which would normally create a more believable element in any magic trick, however, in this case each audience member must sign a waiver in order to be on television, which takes away from the “randomness” of member selection.

Aside from the factors that plant seeds of doubt in the minds of the audience, “Death By Magic,” still holds an exciting element of suspense as Money-Coutts performs visually stunning and complex magic acts.

Another likeable element in the show is the fascinating history of each location. From South Africa to India to the United States, the concept of magicians performing death-defying acts throughout history remains the same no matter which culture it’s centered in.

Overall, the concept of the show is unique, exciting and entertaining and could prove to be a success among fans of magic around the world.