Osmosis

Osmosis, a 2019 Netflix release starring Hugo Becker, is a stylish blend of science fiction and romantic drama. Set in a semi-futuristic Paris, the show depicts a world significantly transformed by artificial intelligence, particularly in how individuals discover and maintain romantic relationships. The story revolves around a dating app, also named Osmosis, that can guarantee soulmates with a 100% success rate. Essentially, it cuts through the messy, unpredictable world of dating to give users their perfect match through advanced technology.

Hugo Becker, best known for his performance in "Gossip Girl," plays the lead role of Paul Vanhove, who along with his sister Esther, brilliantly played by Agathe Bonitzer, brings to life this radical technology. Their relationship forms the emotional core of the series, a sibling bond built on love, difference, and personal trauma. Together, they embark on a venture that promises utopian romance but blurs the boundaries between technology, emotion, human freedom, and personal privacy.

Osmosis takes viewers on a thought-provoking journey surrounding the ethics and implications of a perfected romantic experience, examining some deeply philosophical questions. What is the relevance of our mistakes, trials, and heartbreaks in shaping who we are? Can love be just a code embedded in our brains, waiting for the right algorithm to decode it? Does the human value of personal connection and growing together merit being replaced by a quick and fail-proof solution? By intertwining romance and advanced technology, the series opens up a dialogue on these critical aspects surrounding human existence.

While the thrilling promise of a guaranteed soulmate is captivating, Osmosis also uses its premise to dive into the dark side of such a utopian guarantee. It introduces a series of characters each embroiled in their unique story, serving as guinea pigs for the Osmosis app. These stories are both poignant and unsettling, providing a realistic glimpse into the possible dystopia of a love dictated by algorithms - a stark contrast to the ideal future the app suggests.

Visually, the show is an absolute delight, boasting impressive cinematography and production design that create an aesthetic befitting the advanced technological world it imagines. The setting of an advanced Paris is filled with the familiar charm of the city, yet it convincingly superimposes cutting-edge technology onto it. The series manages to strike a balance between bleak futurism and romantic grandeur, seamlessly shifting from clinical lab areas to mood-lit corners of Parisian cafes to maintain this balance.

Definitively, Osmosis is not just another science fiction show. Instead, it uses its premise to serve as a social commentary that redefines our understanding of human connections in the face of technological advancements. It underscores the dichotomy between the quantifiable and the intangible, the limitations of logic, and the incalculability of human emotion. The fascinating premise and in-depth character development make it a must-watch for those who enjoy television that explores the human condition in depth.

Hugo Becker's performance is a key highlight of Osmosis. He breathes life into his complex character, embodying Paul's struggle to reconcile his faith in his sister's technology and the alarming implications of their brainchild. Agathe Bonitzer's portrayal of Esther too is riveting, capturing the obsession, vulnerability, and intellect of a genius wanting to fix love through technology.

In summary, Osmosis challenges viewers to think deeply about the essence of love and human connection in an age of rapidly evolving technology. It manages to wrap an engaging and affecting narrative around a stimulating and divisive concept, making it a fascinating watch for both sci-fi and drama enthusiasts. Its exploration of love, loneliness, relationships, self-discovery, and the ethical quandaries of future technologies are particularly resonant in our contemporary digital age, raising questions about how far we are willing to let technology intrude into our most intimate parts of our lives.