Soulmates

Soulmates is a groundbreaking anthology series that first premiered on AMC in 2020. With a futuristic, slightly dystopian feel, the show takes place 15 years in the future. It's innovative, intriguing premise is bound to attract science fiction fans and those interested in contemplating profound questions about relationships, love, happiness, and personal identity.

The series introduces a reality where scientists have made a defining discovery - they can now accurately identify your soulmate, the individual who is your perfect match in every conceivable aspect. This technological advancement is facilitated by a revolutionary test that examines individual's genetic and psychological factors to match them with their absolute soulmate, someone who is supposedly custom-made just for them.

Each episode of Soulmates is distinctive and self-contained, featuring a different set of characters and distinct storylines. The series illuminates diverse aspects of human relationships and provides an in-depth exploration of the concept of soulmates. It flexes the idea of the term ‘soulmate’, pushing and pulling at the notion, to unnerve you just enough without causing absolute existential dread. The overarching question that lingers throughout the series though, is how this technology influences people's decisions about their present relationships and affects society at large.

At the heart of Soulmates, the show ponders the moral, social, and psychological consequences of such a breakthrough. Characters grapple with compelling ethical dilemmas and endure emotional struggles as they navigate this new world. Some are deeply curious and others are fearfully skeptical but ultimately, they are all compelled to confront the concept of predestined romance.

The series also examines themes such as love and free agency, loneliness and desire, and the pressure and stress of societal expectations. It questions whether finding your absolute soulmate leads to happiness or deprivation, fulfillment or loss, liberation or it shatters everything you knew about love and personhood.

Featuring a new cast of characters in each episode, the show hosts an array of talented actors who bring life and depth to their individual stories. Ironically, or perhaps intentionally, the different characters in each episode essentially play the starring role in their respective narratives, making them the extraordinary ordinariness of the show, as they unravel the existential and emotional dilemmas that arise from the soulmate discovery.

Adding more to its attractions, the cinematography and set designs of Soulmates are as compelling as the characters themselves. Every frame is exquisitely constructed, with careful attention paid to the colour palette and lighting to set the mood of the series. From sparse, clean environments to rich atmospheres filled with saturated hues and shadowy corners that almost mirrors the human mind, each episode carries its unique ambiance.

Despite the futuristic setting, the profound inquiries the show pursues around love, relationships and human identity is relevant in the present time. Soulmates does not claim to present textbook definitions of love, nor does it pretend to have all the answers, but it does prompt viewers to contemplate the subjectivity of emotions, relationships, and the lengths one might go to find their perfect match.

The drama and suspense in the series also add a dark and slightly unnerving edge to the plot, making it a compelling watch for fans of psychological thrillers. The creators skilfully construct each episode with a well-paced narrative, keeping the viewers hooked on the small clues and plot twists, all leading up to the climaxes that, more than once, tend to shake your perception of love and relationships.

Soulmates provides intelligent entertainment, but also prompts individuals to think outside the box. The uniqueness of the concept, the multidimensional characters, the vivid scripts, and the captivating performances make the series an enticing option for those who enjoy speculative fiction that probes the complex dynamics of love and relationships. Beautifully executed with a mix of drama, curiosity, and tension, Soulmates is a captivating watch for both sci-fi aficionados and romance enthusiasts alike. All in all, it is a series that seeks to analyze the impact of technology on human relationships, love, and destiny.