8 Years Later, This Is Still the Best Show About Teenagers (and the Cringiest Too)
Unlike anything you have ever seen.
There are a lot of different shows aimed at younger audiences, and most of them have the same premise. They show different sorts of struggles that teenagers face during this sensitive period of life. But not many of them do it in a unique way.
There’s however one particular show released in 2017 that put it all on another level. The End of the F***ing World quickly became a standout in the teen drama genre, offering a darkly comedic and raw take on adolescence.
The British series, based on Charles Forsman's graphic novel, follows two rather quirky teenagers, James and Alyssa, brilliantly portrayed by Alex Lawther and Jessica Barden.
After a fairly quick introduction to each other at their dumb school, they end up on a twisted road trip across England. The trip, which is supposed to be James' chance to prove that he is a sociopath, ends in a totally unexpected way.
One of the show's greatest strengths is its authenticity, as The End of the F***ing World is unapologetically messy. James and Alyssa are both truly flawed, and that’s exactly what makes them feel real. The show doesn't shy away from the awkwardness of being a teenager: the uncertainty about the future, the confusion about almost every emotion they feel, and the impulsive decisions that often lead to messy situations.
The show is definitely cringeworthy in many ways, and you better believe us when we say that you will indeed feel uncomfortable with a lot of the things the characters do on screen. But it also tackles serious stuff, like not sugarcoating mental health issues and digging deep into the trauma and inner turmoil of its characters, both in the first and second seasons.
Fans of The End of the F***ing World still believe there's no other show that does it all better. And unlike many other series out there, this one had a perfect finale.
“Great show. I honestly felt it was the perfect combination of suspenseful, funny, and sweet. It was more like watching two movies back to back given the lengths of the seasons, which was about perfect. That said, I hope there is no third season; the ending to S2 was absolutely amazing,” Redditor thegreatRMH said.
Where to Stream The End of the F***ing World?
The End of the F***ing World is available to stream on Netflix.