By Jose Gil
We’ve all seen those romantic comedies where characters meet at a coffee shop or at a friend’s party – they fall in love at first sight, and the whole story is wrapped up in a nice, predictable bow. That is the direct opposite of Jonathan Entwistle and Lucy Tcherniak’s, “The End of the F***ing World.” Our first glimpse at our characters and the story they embark on tell us that this isn’t your stereotypical show, but instead one filled with dark humor and an awkwardly charming romance.
The show, an 8 episode television program from the UK which was exclusively released by Netflix, is brimming with some of the most original writing I’ve seen in a while, and it’s nice to see that a company like Netflix is willing to take a chance on uncanny content like this.
The limited series focuses on the blossoming romance between 17-year old self diagnosed, psychopath, James – played by Alex Lawther who you may know from his role in the Black Mirror episode “Shut Up and Dance” – and a rebellious, teenage runaway named Alyssa (Jessica Barden). If that doesn’t grab your attention, then add in the element of a road trip, several quirky characters, and some dry, pitch black, British humor and you’ve got a show you can binge in less than 3 hours.
The biggest appeal of the show are the characters and how they are written. James’s expressionless face and alarmingly calm murderous intents are juxtaposed by Alyssa’s brash and upfront attitude to life. Their differences allow the show to hit comedic tones that you wouldn’t normally laugh at, but because of the absurdity of the scenario, you can’t help but to laugh.
As the show progresses, the characters are fleshed out and begin to evolve. James’s feigning feelings for Alyssa eventually become real, and the crass and scrappy Alyssa shows vulnerability. We begin to empathize with the characters as they journey on, and the use of internal narration from both characters allow us to connect with them on a level we rarely get from rom-coms.
The journey from their hometowns to their final destination – the home of Alyssa’s estranged father – is filled with aesthetically eccentric settings that capture a nostalgic 80’s vibe mixed with some “Twin Peak.” Diners, forests, and a magnificently beautiful house owned by a serial killer, all pop with a mix of colors that are visually captivating and make the show a treat to watch.
Stylistically, the show employs techniques that can either punctuate a joke or weigh in an emotional moment. The jarring jump cuts that reveal James’s thoughts of murder right after an internal profession of love by Alyssa can elicit a laugh. But those same jump cuts are also used to relive all the happy moments that the two have shared. The eclectic soundtrack, which ranges from soul to country, holds a nostalgic air to it and adds an emotional and dreamy layer to their story, accentuating the carefree and romantic nature they grow.
“The End of the F***ing World” has many excellent qualities to it, from its writing and character building, to its picturesque depiction of the English countryside, to its soundtrack filled with songs you might add to your playlists. This earns it all the praise and recognition it can get. If you haven’t already, all 8 episodes can be streamed on Netflix, and even though I’m not a fan of binge-watching shows, this show has proven to be an exception.
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