"Gnomes," a new six-part horror-comedy series, blends elements of supernatural menace with tongue-in-cheek humor against the backdrop of a small Australian town. Created by Joel Kohn and penned by Tegan Higginbotham and Paul F Verhoeven, the show follows the chaos unleashed when garden gnomes become animated by an ancient evil, wreaking havoc as the community prepares for the annual Gnome-a-Palooza festival.

Set in the fictional town of Nompton, the series spotlights senior constable Arnold Kipps, portrayed by Asa Butterfield, alongside fellow officers Josie Leeds (Higginbotham) and Devon Raki (Matt Okine). The local police force, typically tasked with minor, everyday duties, faces an existential threat when the gnomes begin their violent spree. The town’s mayor, Lachlan Morrison (Darren Gilshenan), initially downplays the danger, eager to keep the festival—and the town—open despite growing threats.

The narrative gains momentum following the murder of a local DVD shop owner, signaling the stakes have escalated beyond mere nuisance. Central to the unfolding events is the “Gnome Queen,” an artifact purchased by the council at great expense. Morrison reveals that finding the Gnome Queen is critical, as it controls the hive mind of the possessed gnomes, and could be the key to ending their murderous rampage. A group of teenagers also become embroiled in the efforts to combat the infestation, adding a layer of youthful energy that recalls classic 1980s horror-comedies such as "Gremlins" and "The Lost Boys."

Directors Matthias Hoene, Sian Davies, and Joel Kohn steer the series with an energetic pace and a visual style designed to evoke the vibe of a midnight movie, with cinematography by Matthew Temple enhancing the pulpy, over-the-top atmosphere. The show embraces its blend of horror and comedy, balancing moments of suspense and gore with deliberate self-awareness and humor.

Critics note that while some of the dialogue occasionally leans on familiar genre clichés, the cast’s performances, particularly Butterfield’s portrayal of Kipps, successfully navigate the line between sincerity and satire, maintaining an engaging tone throughout. Each episode runs around 30 minutes, delivering a brisk mix of escalating chaos and character-driven moments that set the stage for the gnome apocalypse.

"Gnomes" is currently available on the Stan streaming platform in Australia and will premiere on Disney+ in the United Kingdom on October 16.