Netflix Summary:
A budding teen psychopath and a rebel hungry for adventure embark on a star-crossed road trip in this darkly comic series based on a graphic novel.
FYA Summary:
James is your run-of-the-mill, 17-year-old psychopath. He enjoys doing things like killing small animals and sticking his hand in deep fryers, but now, he’s ready to graduate to the big leagues: he’s gonna murder someone. When he’s approached at school by angsty Alyssa, he pretends to date her in order to lure her into his murder trap. But when Alyssa drags James on a road trip to find her father, his murderous plans go hilariously and darkly awry. Turns out, James isn’t the only one with ~issues~.
Familiar Faces:
Alex Lawther as James
So maybe he’s not super familiar. But Alex did star in a good Black Mirror episode, and played young Alan Turing in The Imitation Game! He is so good as James, y’all. A perfect weirdo. Droll, dry, and yet a little vulnerable despite his hardened facade. He gets better with every episode as the viewer gets to peel back the layers and learn more about him.
Jessica Barden as Alyssa
Okay, again, not super familiar, but Jessica did play Justine in Penny Dreadful, and a small unnamed part in The Lobster? Her take on Alyssa evoked an almost visceral reaction from me. I hated her so much at first, but she grew on me as the show progressed and turned out to be really hilarious even at her brattiest. Jessica was able to make audiences root for a really unlikable character.
Couch-Sharing Capability: Netflix and Kill
The End of the F***ing World offers up enough darkness and indie cred that your film buff boyfriend/girlfriend will love it too. And since it has a 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, you’ll be able to impress them with your Good Taste. The entire show can be binged in a few hours, since its eight episodes are only 22 minutes long, so invite your boo over for an afternoon Netflix binge. Just try not to murder each other.
Recommended Level of Inebriation: Buzzed
Alyssa and James are both hilariously awkward, and you’re going to want a strong drink (or maybe a stolen bottle of vodka a la episode 3) to help you survive their cringier moments. Plus, this show doesn’t shy away from violence, so if you’ve got a weak stomach, you’ll want to keep a steady, comfortable buzz for the duration.
Use of Your Streaming Subscription: Dark F***ing Times
I will admit that when the hubs recommended we watch this, I was weary. It just seemed SO DARK and the world is already a terrible, dark place – I prefer my entertainment on the MUCH lighter side. But each episode delivered humor and heart, even when the story was veering into scary territory. It was poignant and endearing, even when it was a little horrifying. It never feels bleak…more like a couple of kids who THINK they’re dark, until they experience true darkness out in the real world. By the end, I was so invested in those crazy kids, and I came out the other side feeling so glad I watched it all.
Psst — a friendly reminder to use spoiler tags if necessary!
