By Penelope Misceo
Arts Editor
Netflix’s latest release, “I Am Not Okay With This” presents a captivating take on the teen experience, giving it the potential to become a classic favorite.
With outstanding storytelling elements from start to finish, “I Am Not Okay With This” perfectly blends raw emotion with witty dialogue. Its riveting and realistic take on adolescence makes it a must-see show for teens.
Netflix released “I Am Not Okay With This” on Feb. 26. The show is based off the graphic novel of the same name by Charles Forsman. The show stars Sophia Lilis as Syd Novak, Wyatt Oleff as Stanley Barber and Sofia Bryant as Dina.
The series follows Syd Novak, a high schooler in Pennsylvania, as she copes with her coming-of-age and shocking recent development of telekinetic powers, which come as a complete surprise to her. Each episode is narrated by Syd through her diary entries and most episodes include new information about her powers.
The show’s most important asset is its unique, well-defined characters. They are truly the backbone of the show, and make an incredible ensemble. The standout acting from lead actress Lillis and flawless comedic timing from Oleff allows the audience to identify with each character effortlessly. In addition to the acting, the series benefits from each character’s uniqueness, as their personal styles and attitudes are the driving factor of the show’s tone.
The series also presents an admirably realistic take on high school and the overall teen experience, despite its supernatural elements. While the process of coming-of-age is different for everyone, “I Am Not Okay With This” is able to fuse these differences together with diverse characters and personalities, who all have different experiences, making it a universally relatable show for all teenagers. Using unique dialogue and actors similar to the ages of their characters makes the series feel genuine and realistic.
The dialogue, in addition to its powerful tone, adds a personalized, unique quality to the show. While the series is often serious and sometimes rather dark, witty lines and sprinkles of comedic moments make “I Am Not Okay With This” light and easy to watch. Additionally, each episode has a short run time of about 25 minutes, a perfect sweet spot that allows the viewer to keep their full attention on the charming nuances of the series.
One creative aspect of “I Am Not Okay With This” is its retro atmosphere. The show takes place in the current day, but the set designs and soundtrack are reminiscent of the ‘80s. This is seen most notably in elements of Syd’s friend, Stanley’s, character. His bedroom design, outfits and retro car incorporate elements of the decade, adding the perfect touch to the show’s overall eccentricity and entertainment value.
“I Am Not Okay With This” successfully delivers an incredible story in all aspects and provides a charming experience for the audience. Using retro references, the show solidifies its creativity and sets itself apart from other series of the same genre. Impeccable performances from lead actors and genuine storytelling abilities make it an overall must-see series for teens and adults alike.
Released on Feb. 26, “I Am Not Okay With This” is rated TV-MA and is available to stream on Netflix.
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