So often we associate an adolescent tv show set predominantly in a high school with predictable and cheesy viewing, Netflix's 'Everything Sucks' offers us a different insight to growing up as a teenager. Set in Boring, Oregon in the mid 1990's, a group of outcast high school students join to create a movie in a bid to be recognised more by others. The protagonist, Luke O'Neill acts as the leader in the A/V club and takes the role of directing the film, it is evident that he struggles to come to terms with High School life after being abandoned by his father at a young age - we feel sympathy for the character because of this. Kate Messner faces problems in understanding her sexuality and shares a close relationship with her single dad, who is also the school's principal. He and Luke's mother commence a close partnership while Luke crushes on the fragile Kate. The focus point of the season is to present life without mobile phones and modern technology, emphasising the struggle people felt when it came to socialising and opening up about their feelings. The two lead characters struggle in their own personal way and relying on the friends around them, they see the making of the film as a blessing to overcome their difficulties. Setting aside stereotypes and breaking down conventions the single season entailing ten episodes is at times forced and perhaps rushed, but is certainly not the town it's set in.
Review of Everything Sucks!
