A gripping and unsettling psychological thriller
Season 1 |
Episode Guide
Episode 1 – | Review Score – 4/5
Episode 2 – | Review Score – 4.5/5
Episode 3 – | Review Score – 4/5
Episode 4 – | Review Score – 4/5
Episode 5 – | Review Score – 4/5
Episode 6 – | Review Score – 4/5
Episode 7 – | Review Score – 4/5
Episode 8 – | Review Score – 4.5/5
Hulu’s coming-of-age drama revolves around a teenage boy named Danny. When Danny was a young child, his mom died in a tragic car accident. His dad bought a home in the heart of the wilderness and kept him shielded from the rest of the world. His dad justified his actions by arguing that it was required for Danny’s protection from the monsters of the outside world.
Danny starts to doubt every aspect of his life and existence when he learns the truth and realizes that monsters don’t actually exist. To make matters worse, when tragedy strikes, Danny is compelled to leave the security of his home.
The series is simultaneously tragic, gorgeous, clever, and blue. The show successfully juggles several themes while giving each one equal attention. Furthermore, the show gives us the slow-burn pleasure of a great thriller as Danny finds out a little bit more about his past as the episodes progress.
The show has undertones of several psychological issues such as bipolar disorder, PTSD, and abandonment issues to name but a few. The show provides a fine and uplifting viewing experience despite its gloomy themes.
In the flashback sequences, Steve’s mood and behavioral shifts have bipolar disorder undertones. Steve appears sympathetic one moment and apathetic the next.
The show skillfully paints a clear picture of Danny’s trauma. The creators do a good job of portraying how lonely Danny was as a young child and how it eventually became normal for him. The effects of the trauma, which lead to PTSD, are also well depicted.
Danny’s abandonment issues are explored in the show as well. Danny really enjoys his time with a lad he meets named Ash. When Ash is about to leave, he assumes that Ash is upset with him because his father used to abandon him when he was upset with his son. This causes him to become very emotional and at these moments, the scars from his traumas are evident.
The psychological drama draws our attention to monsters—both metaphorical and real. The tale seems to transcend the realms of reality, but it is based on an inescapable human truth: parents wish to keep their children safe. The show does an excellent job of not demonizing Danny’s father, who caused him the trauma. We quickly learn that he did the things he did because he was afraid of losing Danny after his wife died. Although it does not justify his actions, it does give him a strong motive. By using Steve’s character, the show demonstrates the metaphorical and literal death of a father that is required for a child to grow up.
Old music and movies were introduced to Danny when he was a kid and we see that much of his life depends on them. We catch glimpses of these films and hear hints of these songs during flashbacks as well as background music. The ambient music that plays is frequently dissonant and washed out in a retro style. It exudes an intense sense of its unique visual identity, which contributes to the impression that what we are seeing is both simple and unsettling. Danny’s fascination with old music and films is skillfully conveyed in the show.
Lewis Gribben’s portrayal of Danny is the show’s standout performance, and he expertly blends the resilience of a person brought up by a survivalist dad with the frailty of a young child dealing with the trials and tribulations of adulthood for the very first time.
Given that this isn’t merely Danny’s tale, the writers gave all the characters different shades and layers of complexity and depth. As the shy and odd Aaron, who appears to have no friends but is desperate to blend in, Samuel Bottomley captures the unease of adolescence perfectly.
In her role as Sue, who has her life turned upside down by her brother’s choices and the entrance of a strange youngster into her family, Lisa McGrillis is equally as brilliant.
The series ranks as one of the few rare tragedies that can hold a number of themes firmly in its hands while analyzing each one fairly. It’s about adapting and blending in, trauma as well as cruelty, and literal and metaphorical monsters. Ultimately, Somewhere Boy is a must-watch if you’re looking for a slow-burn psychological thriller.
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Verdict - 8/10
8/10