Source: https://www.lascosasquenoshacenfelices.com/resena-de-from-la-serie-de-misterio-y-terror-de-hbo-que-deberias-estar-viendo/

From — The Origin of Evil. Part II

Theories and Conspiracies

In this series of articles, my goal is to explore various theories about the events of From, based on both personal observation and interpretation. I will not follow a specific order of topics, but will cover a wide range of ideas and points that I find intriguing or worthy of analysis. If you also watch the series and have your own theories, or even want to comment on why some of mine may not make sense, feel free to share. Please note that the texts are updated with the most recent events in the series and contain spoilers!

The Bottle Tree

The “bottle tree” is an enigmatic element that intrigues both the characters and the viewers. It is adorned with hanging bottles and seems to serve as a teleportation portal to various locations, varying depending on the person or the moment. For example, Tabitha was transported to the lighthouse, Boyd to a dungeon, Sara returned to the village, Victor found himself in a cave, and Dale was tragically crushed when transported into a wall in the pool.

One intriguing observation is that some of these bottles contain papers with numbers or dates on them. This raises the possibility that these numbers may be related to people who have managed to escape the village, or alternatively, to significant events that have occurred there, or even to a specific code that can be used to get out.

The seemingly random nature of the destinations to which people are transported when interacting with the tree raises questions about the criteria that determine these locations. Is the destination influenced by the person’s emotional state, by necessity, fate, past events, or by a force that governs the village?

The Voice on the Radio

The radio signal is one of the most intriguing elements of From, introducing a new level of mystery by suggesting that someone, or something, is monitoring the events in the village. The voice that responds to Jim’s contact seems to know more than it should, mentioning the hole Tabitha was digging in the basement and warning him to stop trying to establish communication. This interaction raises a number of questions and theories about who, or what, is behind this transmission, or even whether there is an impostor among them.

One possibility is that the voice belongs to someone directly connected to the forces that control the village. The accuracy of the information it shares suggests that this entity is watching the villagers closely, perhaps as part of an experiment or constant surveillance. This could reinforce the idea that the village is more than just a random location, but rather a carefully controlled environment where the inhabitants are purposefully kept isolated.

Another theory suggests that the voice may come from a parallel dimension or from a place outside the village’s control, but still with access to its particularities.

Sara’s Voices

The voices in Sara’s head, or “crazy girl”, as I like to call her, are one of the most intriguing aspects of the series. These voices seem to give her specific instructions, often of a violent nature, leaving doubt as to their origin and purpose. A central question is whether these voices come from dead people or from someone (or something) outside the village trying to influence events.

One theory is that the voices are manifestations of the souls of those who have already died in the village.

Another possibility is that the voices are controlled by an entity or group outside the village, manipulating Sara to test the limits of the other villagers. This remote control would suggest that the village functions as an experiment, and that Sara is just a piece in a larger game.

There are also those who believe that the voices may be a form of hallucination induced by the supernatural forces that rule the place. In this scenario, they would be another tool to destabilize the villagers and create chaos, using Sara as an instrument to sow fear and discord. This would explain why the instructions she receives often result in disastrous consequences for the other inhabitants.

There is the hypothesis that the voices are some kind of direct connection with the village’s “system”. Sara could be hearing echoes or messages from whoever controls the functioning of this mysterious place, receiving instructions to maintain the dynamics of the place or prevent certain secrets from being revealed.

Boyd’s Illness

Boyd’s illness is an issue that adds a layer of vulnerability to the character, something rare in a series where strength and resilience are often required of the characters. He himself seems to believe that he is experiencing the first symptoms of Parkinson’s, such as tremors in his hands, but the question that From leaves open is: is he really sick, or is this just another manifestation of the mysterious forces that control the village?

One possibility is that Boyd is, in fact, developing Parkinson’s or some other degenerative condition. This would give a touch of reality to the series, showing that, even in the midst of supernatural circumstances, the problems of the human body continue to be a threat.

Another theory is that the illness is induced by the forces that govern the place. The village has been shown to be able to manipulate the minds and bodies of its inhabitants in unexplained ways, as seen with Sara, Martin, Elgin, Julie, Jaden, etc. Boyd could be affected in a similar way, with the symptoms of the “illness” functioning as a distraction or a test of his leadership and emotional strength. This would explain why his condition seems to progress without much apparent medical logic.

It is possible that Boyd is not actually ill, but that the symptoms are a manifestation of the extreme stress and trauma accumulated by his responsibility to lead and protect the other villagers.

Talismans?

Talismans are undoubtedly one of the most intriguing mysteries. They play an essential role in the survival of the villagers, protecting the houses and other enclosed spaces from the creatures of the night. However, the origin of these objects and who created them remain shrouded in complete mystery. Seemingly much older than the village or any existing records of the place, the talismans suggest that the forces that govern the town have deep roots, perhaps dating back to a time before any known inhabitants arrived. A popular fan theory is that the talismans were created by a previous group of villagers, possibly the same ones who left the ruins, scarecrows, and other enigmatic signs scattered throughout the forest. These elements, like the scarecrows found at the supply camp in season three, suggest that there have been cycles of villagers trying to survive the same terror. If the talismans were created as a form of protection by these former inhabitants, it would reinforce the idea that the village is part of a cyclical phenomenon, with new groups replacing the previous ones, but if this is indeed true, then where did they go?

Another possibility is that the talismans are the work of the same supernatural forces that control the village, but created for an as-yet-unknown purpose.

The connection between the talismans, the mysterious trees, and the ruins found in the forest also deserves attention. The structure of the ruins and the presence of elements such as scarecrows suggest that an ancient people or culture may have inhabited or passed through the village before, possibly establishing some kind of system or ritual that has remained to this day. The talismans may be the last vestiges of this ancient knowledge, still effective but now disconnected from their original purpose.

It is important to consider that the talismans, like the scarecrows and the ruins, could be linked to a larger conflict between different supernatural forces. Perhaps they are tools created by a group opposed to the creatures of the night, indicating that there is more than one power at work in the village. This would open up the possibility of theories about an invisible war going on behind the scenes, with the villagers caught in the middle of it.

Electricity?

Electricity in From is one of the most curious mysteries, as it seems to work in a way that is completely disconnected from the logic of the real world. Even in an isolated place with no evidence of functional infrastructure, the residents have access to electricity, as if it were something natural. This seemingly small detail is one of the biggest clues that the village is governed by forces beyond conventional understanding.

As we have seen repeatedly, it works with the basic concept, something that perhaps a child would try to show as logical. After all, the wires have no core and go “under the house” and the sockets are not really sockets, they just connect to the wires and that’s it, everything is connected.

Trees that Walk?

The trees that seem to move are for me one of the elements that will prove to be the most important in the entire series, but we still haven’t had much information about them, raising countless questions about their function and meaning. They defy the laws of physics and logic, reinforcing the idea that the village operates under rules that are completely different from those of the real world. But what do these “walking” trees really represent, and why do they move? One interesting theory is that the trees are part of a living system that governs the village. Rather than being just ordinary flora, they could be physical manifestations of the supernatural forces that control the place. The fact that they move could indicate that they have a specific function, such as reorganizing the space of the village, preventing escapes, or even guiding the characters to places where their stories need to unfold. If they are part of a living system, this would explain why they seem to “act” with purpose, rather than randomly.

Another possibility is that the trees represent a kind of barrier or control mechanism. Their movement could be a way of constantly restructuring the village, making it difficult for any attempt to escape or explore beyond the permitted limits. This would make sense in a place where the environment seems to be constantly changing, reinforcing the feeling of imprisonment and disorientation of the residents.

The Symbol of the Cave

The symbol made of roots found in the cave, possibly used in a ritual, is one of the most mysterious elements so far, and seems to be one of the keys to the ending. This figure, which seems to connect Jade, Tabitha and Victor in ways that are not yet entirely clear, adds depth to the enigma of the forces that control the village and its inhabitants. But what does this symbol really mean, and how does it relate to the main events and characters?

A common interpretation is that the symbol is related to some kind of ancient ritual that may have established the rules or boundaries of the village. If the cave was the scene of an important event in the past, it is possible that the symbol represents a direct link to the supernatural forces that govern the place. This would explain why Victor, who seems to have had a special connection to the mysteries of the village since he was a child, would be so aware of the symbol’s importance.

The presence of Jade and Tabitha in this narrative is also significant. Jade, with her curiosity and ability to see patterns where others do not, may be being guided by a greater force to unravel the symbol’s meaning. Tabitha, with her discovery of the hole in the basement and the connections to the subterranean, seems to be on a path that connects her directly to the origins of the village. Both could be key pieces in revealing what the symbol represents, be it an ancient language, an invocation or even a map.

Is Victor the Elder?

Victor is one of From’s most enigmatic characters, and his longevity in the village is one of the most intriguing aspects of his story. He is apparently the oldest known survivor of the village, having survived a previous “wave” — a term I like to use to describe the cycles of people who arrive in the village and eventually succumb to the creatures or mysteries of the place. But what makes Victor different? And what does his survival reveal about the village?

One theory is that Victor was able to survive because, as a child at the time of his arrival, he had a different perspective on the situation. Children tend to accept reality more fluidly, without trying to rationalize or resist the inexplicable forces around them. This could have allowed Victor to instinctively understand the rules of the place and adapt, unlike adults, who often succumb to fear, denial, or despair.

In addition, Victor seems to have a special connection to the mysteries of the village. He knows more than any other character about the symbols, the talismans, and even the creatures, though he often has difficulty articulating this information in a way that others can understand. This connection may be the result of his long exposure to the village environment, or it may be due to something deeper, such as a unique sensitivity to the forces that control the place. His survival, in this case, may be as much a matter of luck as of design.

The fact that Victor survived a previous cycle also raises questions about the nature of the “waves.” If each group of villagers follows a pattern — arriving, trying to survive, and eventually succumbing — it reinforces the idea that the village operates as a cycle or experiment. Victor would be an anomaly in this system, a reminder that although the village may seem unforgiving, there are loopholes that allow for survival, even if they are extremely rare.

Victor is definitely one of the keys to getting out!

The Child in White

One intriguing possibility is that the “playboy child” is Tabitha’s son. This theory is based on the emotional connection that Tabitha seems to have with children in general, especially due to the traumatic loss of her own son before her arrival in the village. If the child is a supernatural or symbolic manifestation of her son, it would explain why he appears at specific times, as a persistent reminder of her loss or a sign of something larger related to her journey in the village.

Another theory suggests that the “playboy child” is one of the children involved in the possible ritual that took place in the cave, where the root symbol was found. If we consider that the ritual may have involved a sacrifice or some kind of transformation, this child could be a manifestation of the events that took place there, serving as a direct connection between the mysterious past of the village and the present of the villagers. In this case, he could be both a victim and an essential part of the system that governs the place.

There is also the hypothesis that the “playboy child” is a sort of messenger or intermediary for the forces that control the village. Her calm, almost ethereal appearance could indicate that she operates outside the normal laws of reality, appearing to guide, warn, or confuse the villagers. If so, the child could be trying to communicate something important, but her message remains elusive to the characters.

There is the possibility that the “playboy child” is simply a representation of the village’s cycle of destruction and renewal. As a childlike figure, she could symbolize the idea of ​​new beginnings, but also the vulnerability and innocence that are often crushed by the forces of the place. And perhaps, who knows, as the village progresses, her appearance may change…

After They Die?

The question of what happens to the villagers who die is one of the biggest mysteries of the series and fuels several theories. Some viewers believe that those who lose their lives in the village remain trapped there in some way, while others speculate that death may be a form of liberation, allowing a return to the real world. The case of Tabitha, who apparently disappeared under mysterious circumstances, opens up even more room for these discussions.

One theory is that the villagers who die in the village remain trapped, but in a different form, perhaps as part of the supernatural forces that control the place. This could explain the voices that Sara (“crazy”) hears and even the creatures of the night, which many believe are manifestations of former residents. In this context, death would not be an escape, but rather a transformation, where individuals become part of the very system that imprisons the living.

Another possibility is that death really is a portal out of the village. Tabitha, for example, disappeared in a situation that could be interpreted as a death or a sacrifice. If she did indeed make it back to the real world, it could indicate that the village only releases its inhabitants when they reach a specific point in the narrative or survival cycle. This type of release, however, raises ethical questions: is death an acceptable price to pay for escape?

There is also the hypothesis that the fate of the dead depends on the circumstances of their death. Perhaps those who die violently at the hands of the creatures or in situations controlled by the village’s forces are absorbed into the system, while those who “break the rules” in some way — like Tabitha with her exploration of the underground — can transcend the barriers imposed by the village. This theory suggests that there is some kind of logic or order behind what appears to be complete chaos.

The Mystery of the 2 Cars

Victor’s comment about the last “wave” before Jim and Tabitha’s family arrived. He mentions that, as with the current group, two cars arrived during that wave, but he doesn’t give many details about who these people were or what happened to them.

One interesting theory is that these two cars could have transported people who played a crucial role in the previous cycle of the village. Just as the current group seems to have key figures, such as Tabitha with her exploration of the hole, Boyd with his leadership, and Victor with his knowledge of the past, the inhabitants of these two cars could have played similar roles in their time. If this is true, it is possible that the village chooses specific people with characteristics or skills that fit into a larger pattern, even if this is not immediately clear.

Another hypothesis is that the village functions as a continuous cycle, with each wave reflecting the previous one in some way. The two cars mentioned by Victor could have been occupied by people who tried to defy the rules of the village, much like the current group is doing, but failed. In this case, the history of the previous residents could serve as a warning or a direct parallel to the challenges faced by the current group. What happened to these residents could be a clue to what will happen next.

There is also the possibility that the occupants of the two previous cars left some kind of mark or legacy on the village. Perhaps they learned something important about the talismans, the radio, or the forces controlling the place, but their findings were not passed on to the next group. This would open the door to theories about how the waves are connected, and whether there is a way to retrieve crucial information from past escape or survival attempts.

The Dog of the Forest

The dog that appears in the forest is an intriguing element, as it seems to appear and disappear without explanation, keeping a curious distance from the villagers, but at the same time seeming to observe or even guide them. The central question is: what is the role of this dog in the village? Is it an ally, an observer, or yet another manifestation of the supernatural forces that control the place?

An interesting theory is that the dog is a kind of guide or messenger. In many cultures, dogs are associated with the role of guiding souls or protecting people in dangerous situations. In this context, the dog could be subtly helping the villagers navigate the mysteries of the village. Perhaps it leads people to important places or appears at critical moments to warn them of impending danger.

There is also the hypothesis that the dog is a direct connection to previous groups that passed through the village. Perhaps it belonged to someone who lived there before and, somehow, survived the cycles while maintaining a connection with the place. This would explain why he seems to be “outside” the conventional rules of the village, moving freely without being affected by the creatures of the night or the limitations imposed on the villagers.

Perhaps the dog and the boy in white are the same thing in different forms?

Martin — The Old Man of the Dungeon

Martin, the old man of the dungeon,’s statement that the village’s monsters “aren’t the worst” suggests that the true horror of the village is still hidden. If the creatures that attack at night don’t represent the height of danger, it implies that there is something deeper and more terrifying at work behind the scenes. But what exactly could be worse than the monsters? And does the place function as a system of levels, similar to Dante’s Inferno?

One theory is that the “worst monsters” are not physical creatures, but rather the village itself or the forces that control it. Given that the place seems to manipulate the villagers emotionally and psychologically, the true terror may lie in the gradual loss of identity, hope, and sanity. In this sense, the village is not just a hostile environment, but a psychological predator that slowly eats away at people until they succumb.

Another possibility is that Martin was referring to an as-yet-unrevealed force or entity, something that controls or even creates the monsters. This entity could be the true ruler of the village, using the creatures as tools to keep the residents in a constant state of fear and submission. This would open the door to a hierarchy of threats, with the monsters being just the “starting level” of a much more complex and lethal system.

The idea that the village functions as levels of hell, similar to Dante’s Divine Comedy, is also intriguing. In this case, the monsters would be just the first level, while greater and more incomprehensible dangers await those who try to explore the secrets of the place more deeply. Boyd’s journey to the dungeon, for example, could have been an introduction to one of these lower levels, where the true terror begins to reveal itself.

Characters and Connections

The idea that all of the villagers have a prior connection is a fascinating theory that adds an extra layer of complexity to the series’ central mystery. The arrival of the tour bus only heightens this speculation, bringing in new characters who seem not just random, but possibly connected to the fates or stories of those already there. But are these connections coincidental, or is there a greater reason behind how and why these people were brought together?

One widely discussed theory is that the village deliberately selects people with intertwined pasts, even if only indirectly. This connection could be emotional, such as having shared traumas, or circumstantial, such as being in the right (or wrong) place at the same time. The presence of the bus could be a mechanism to expand these hidden relationships, forcing the villagers to discover how they are connected as they face the challenges of the village.

Another possibility is that the village acts as a mirror or reflection of the inner dilemmas of its inhabitants. In this case, the “connection” between the characters could not be literal, but symbolic, representing themes or lessons that each must face. The tour bus, for example, could represent the arrival of new elements that will challenge the established dynamics, perhaps exposing secrets or revealing patterns that the villagers had not previously noticed.

If the connection is more direct, one possible explanation is that all the villagers have some connection to the village’s past or to the events that led to its creation. This could mean that they are there for a specific reason, perhaps as part of a cycle that attempts to resolve or perpetuate a traumatic event. The bus, in this context, could be a way to introduce new variables or even recreate a past situation that needs to be “fixed.”

The Bottle Trees

The existence of at least two near the village and a third farther away, used by Boyd and Sara, suggests that they play an essential role in the functioning of the place. But do all of these trees serve the same function or take people to the same places?

One theory is that all of the bottle trees have the same general purpose: to teleport people. However, the places they lead to can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the person’s emotional state, the context in which the transport occurs, or even the “choice” of the tree itself. This would explain why Boyd ended up in the dungeon, Sara returned to the village, and other characters, such as Victor and Dale, had completely different fates. The diversity of fates suggests that the trees do not follow fixed rules, but operate according to a supernatural logic that has yet to be revealed.

The repetition of destinations also raises interesting questions. Does a tree always lead to the same place if used by the same person? If so, the trees could function as personalized “shortcuts,” responding to the specific needs or stories of those who interact with them. On the other hand, if the destinations change, this could indicate that the trees are highly adaptable tools, used by the forces that control the village to manipulate or test the characters.

Boyd’s Spiders

The spider webs and spider-filled forest that Boyd and Sara encounter during their search for answers are one of the most disturbing moments. Although the series has not yet directly explained the meaning of this setting, it leaves room for several interpretations that may be linked to the nature of the place, the forces that control the village, or even the emotional and psychological state of the characters.

One theory is that the forest with the spider webs is a physical manifestation of the supernatural forces that govern the village, or even the “next level”. Spiders, in many cultures, symbolize weavers of fate, connecting different threads into a larger plot. In this context, the webs may represent the invisible network that connects all the events and characters in the village, suggesting that no one is truly free from the forces that control the place. Boyd and Sara’s presence there could symbolize that they are getting closer to deeper truths about how the place works.

Another possibility is that the spider-filled forest is a space “in between” dimensions or realities, a place of transition before the characters are transported to another location. The teleportation trees seem to take people down paths that do not follow the normal rules of space, and the forest could be a reflection of this transition, where elements of the unknown begin to manifest themselves. The webs, in this case, would be visual signs that Boyd and Sara were moving between different levels of the village or even outside of it.