Everything Sucks!

Everything Sucks! is a mid-nineties period coming-of-age comedy-drama series produced exclusively by Netflix in 2018. This show is set in an actual town called Boring, Oregon, reflecting the painfully dull and awkward teenage years most people go through, hence the metaphor. The irony of the title, Everything Sucks!, is revealed in the narrative; among the angst and awkwardness of teenagehood, there's always filtering light and laughter to brighten even the dullest days.

As a 90s period piece, the series takes viewers on a nostalgic trip back to an age characterized by VHS tapes, dial-up internet, slap bracelets and a selection of satisfying nostalgic tunes from the likes of Oasis, Spin Doctors, and Tori Amos. The modern audience experiences the 90s pop culture and technological limitations in a highly amusing and affectionate way.

The show revolves around two factions of high school misfits - the A/V Club and Drama Club. The series heavily emphasises the awkward stumbling blocks of high school, giving the audience characters full of hopes, aspirations, and spiraling insecurities - very relatable to a large audience demographic. The central characters include Luke O’Neil, a freshman with a heart full of passion and ambition for video production, and Kate Messner, an equally ambitious, yet inwardly conflicted, sophomore who also happens to be the principal's daughter.

For all the humor and entertainment, Everything Sucks! deals with poignant themes such as budding romance, friendship, divorce, identity crises, and the powerful dynamics of family relationships. It’s not afraid to touch on larger, heavier issues around sexual orientation, acceptance, and the painful process of self-discovery, exhibiting a perfect blend of light-hearted entertainment and thought-provoking insights.

With an array of characters including Luke's single mother, his two best friends McQuaid and Tyler, Kate's single father who doubles as the School Principal, and a host of other students, Everything Sucks! weaves many story lines into its narrative tapestry. Central among them are the start of young love, the struggle of coming to terms with one's identity, and the complications and chaos an intertwining of adult lives cause amidst teenage struggles. However, the arcs of these stories remain consistently engaging and relatable, guiding the viewers through a landscape of 90s teenage life with humor, authenticity, and heart.

Furthermore, the series is able to represent diversity without tokenism. There's a combination of varied races and body-types among the characters, which makes the characters feel like they represent real individuals and not simply archetypes. The diverse character spectrum adds to the series' overall authenticity and elicits a connection with more audiences.

In terms of production value, Everything Sucks! Level of meticulous detail devoted to reconstructing the 90s setting is impressive. From the distinct fashion styles to the dated tech gadgets, the series allows older viewers to revisit a bygone age while younger audiences are introduced to a world without social media’s ubiquity. This meticulous portrayal contributes significantly to the show's unique charm and personality.

In terms of performance, the young actors in the show bring the characters to life with great enthusiasm and believability. Despite their relatively young age, they navigate the emotional complexity of their roles with impressive capabilities, tackling humor and serious themes alike with a commendable balance and realism. There's a rawness in their performances that makes the characters engaging and easy to empathize with; it's impossible not to root for them as they navigate through the maze of teenagehood.

Everything Sucks! is basically a love-letter to the 90s. It's a charming, relatable, and poignant look back at the awkwardness and angst of high school life. It's a smart, affectionate, and humor-filled show that ingeniously embraces and celebrates its period piece setting, delivering a potent mix of nostalgia and valuable narrative. From its well-written characters to its engaging story arcs, Everything Sucks! effectively sucks you into its well-crafted narrative universe, making you laugh, touching your heart, and reminding you that even in difficult and trying times, everything doesn’t totally suck.