What the heck is Netflix’s ‘The OA’?

Netflix’s latest sleeper hit “The OA” is a meandering maze of mystery storytelling that might appeal to TV snobs, but not anyone else.

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In a typical Netflixian move, “The OA” dropped out of nowhere on Friday and was everywhere among binge-o-files by Monday. Its only promotion was cellphone video footage of the main character jumping off a bridge — the show’s opening sequence.

So what is the moody new sci-fi drama?

“The OA” is a show that only Netflix could pull off. It follows The OA (Brit Marling, also series creator), formerly known as Prairie Johnson, as she returns home from a seven year disappearance. The biggest surprise to her parents? When Prairie left, she was blind and now she can see.

If that sounds a bit “Amazing Grace,” it’s not far off — the show deals in supernatural and religious themes as “The OA” tells the story of both her origin and her absence to five kindred souls.

It just takes forever to get to the point — the opening credits don’t even appear until an hour into the first episode.

The cerebral supernatural drama isn’t as easy to swallow as Netflix’s 80s-flavored cult hit “Stranger Things,” which it’s already being compared to. There’s also a little “Orphan Black,” a little “Lost,” and a little “Blindspot.”

“The OA” doesn’t throw in an exciting moment to keep you hooked; it relies on teasing lines alluding to its larger mystical mystery and Brit Marling’s soothing voice hypnotizing you into the story within the story.

Marling is also the creator and executive producer, with creative partner Zal Batmanglij. If “The OA” feels and sounds a bit “Twin Peaks” it might be because Batmanglij wrote for “Wayward Pines,” which some hail as the second coming of the creepy ‘80s drama.

“The OA” is compelling storytelling at its very core, but takes a lot of patience that most viewers don’t have these days.