*Article contains spoilers*
“The End of the F***ing World.” Where do we even begin? If you haven’t yet seen this new Netflix original series, stop what you’re doing right now and start watching! It’s a series that explores the lives of two high schoolers who haven’t quite found their place in the world. This rather dark, coming-of-age romantic comedy will make you want more after each episode. It’s hard not to binge: you laugh, you cry, you relate.
The Backstory
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The show is narrated by James, a self-diagnosed psychopath, and Alyssa, a miserable and unsatisfied girl. We are first introduced to James, who is emotionless, sending us into a flashback of him sticking his hand into a fryer just to feel something. He is at the point in his life where he wants to do “something bigger,” he wants to kill someone and his preferred victim is Alyssa. Alyssa, on the other hand, is an angry and deeply sad girl who acts out to achieve some satisfaction in her life.
The Duo
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Alyssa approaches James thinking, “he’s not the answer but he’s something.” This is where our story begins, and we watch as they leave their dreary worlds behind and begin living a Bonnie and Clyde lifestyle.
James merely pretends to fall in love with Alyssa to get close enough to kill her. Although it is Alyssa who initiates the relationship, they share frightening experiences discovering nothing of what they thought about themselves is true. Alyssa isn’t as strong and brave as she thinks, and James realizes he may not be a murderer after all, rather he’s grieving the death of his mother and needs Alyssa.
The Plot Thickens
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Alyssa decides she cannot take any more of her home life and decides to take a road trip to visit her biological father. James tags along believing this is the time he can strike. Throughout their journey of reckless behaviors doing “literally anything,” the idea of killing Alyssa slowly becomes out of the question. All these difficult and scary situations put them in way over their heads, yet they get through it together. These two teens, who originally believed they had no one and needed no one, come to realize they desperately need each other.
“I absolutely adored this show. I can watch any episode or the entire series over and over again, anytime,” says Zoe Westrick, a sophomore majoring in business. “Something about this show just felt right.”
The directors knew exactly what they were doing to give this show a soothing aesthetic. With beautiful nature scenes, 60s songs on repeat, timeless clothing and a true romance with ups and downs, this show leaves a warm and comforting feeling that allows you to fall in love with the characters.
“The End of the F***ing World” illustrates the hardships people face when experiencing loneliness. Everyone can relate to feeling alone. The rawness of this show is why it is so amazing. You feel for James and Alyssa; you want to be their friend. Although there is a cliffhanger, you are somehow still satisfied because no matter how lonely you may feel, there is always someone out there for you, even if it’s short-lived.
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