Why I Don't Like It Is One of the Best Teen Shows

Netflix released the TV series I Don't Like It. It was based on the comic strip of the same name by Charles Forsman, and was adapted and directed by Jonathan Entwistle. Perhaps their names are not familiar to everyone, but it was they who came up with the sensational "The End of the *** World" - one of the most emotional stories about teenage outcasts.

The new project continues the same theme in many ways. Moreover, he turns out to be even more everyday and lively. And this despite the unusual flirtation with fantastic themes.

A simple story about teenagers

In the center of the plot is the girl Sidney (played by Sophia Lillis, known to everyone from the first part of "It"). Together with her mother and younger brother, she moved to a town in Pennsylvania, but it is difficult to take root there. Syd is in contact with her only friend Dina (aspiring actress Sofia Bryant) and really misses her father, who suddenly committed suicide. To cope with stress, the school counselor advises her to keep a diary. Soon, the girl discovers the ability to telekinesis.

Even in "The End of the *** of the World," the viewer was allowed to better know what is happening in the souls of the main characters, with the help of the offscreen text: the words spoken out loud very often did not coincide with their thoughts. In I Don't Like It, Entwistle uses exactly the same technique, only doing it more reasonably with the help of Syd's diary. True, she does not immediately dare to tell something too frank there.

Dear Diary, Wouldn't You Go!

Sydney's diary entry

And then, in the same way, the heroine constantly comments on what is happening, emphasizing the difference between her desires and behavior. And, most importantly, talking about what problems have accumulated inside.

This is what becomes the main theme of the series. In terms of events, “I don’t like it” is much simpler than “The End of the *** World”. There are no chases and confrontation with adults. It is even less loaded than "Sex Education" and "Euphoria", since it excludes intrigues and any complex relationships between the characters.

It's just the story of a girl trying to find her place in the world. She is jealous of the fact that her only friend has found a boyfriend for herself, and quarrels with her mother, who is constantly busy at work. And surprisingly, the voice of reason in the family is the younger brother of Sydney - he is generally one of the most charming characters in the series.

And then Sidney meets another outcast - Stanley (Wyatt Oleff, who also played "It"). Only he has accepted his position in society and even enjoys it. A new friend teaches the girl to relax and look at what is happening from an unexpected angle.

- Why are you talking to me?

- Because the rest is boring.

Sydney and Stanley

Unfortunately, the simplicity of the plot is reflected in a completely uncomplicated setting. There are few noticeable camera tricks. But the picture is still good, Netflix once again does not fail. And the soundtrack from popular melodies fits perfectly into the content (a couple of times the characters are allowed to dance amusingly to retro hits).

But at the same time, the project does not seem boring at all. First, Entwistle is once again using its beloved format: the entire season consists of seven episodes of 20 minutes each. Many movies on Netflix are longer than this series. And secondly, the plot has one fantastic component. Almost superhero.

Everyday life of a person with supernormal abilities

As mentioned above, Sydney discovers the ability to telekinesis. Moreover, she does not understand their nature, and in general she doubts whether all this is not a coincidence.

This move creates additional intrigue and dynamics. But this does not divert the action towards Stranger Things. We can say that here the manifestation of superpowers is not a separate part of the plot, but all the same reflection of inner experiences. And it makes more sense to compare the series with the film “I Fight the Giants” (by the way, also filmed from the comics), where the girl defended the world from monsters, which reflected her fears due to her mother's illness.

Or, as in Stephen King's Carrie, telekinesis can be considered an allegory for growing up. It's not for nothing that Sydney cannot explain to anyone what is different from the others. Each interlocutor replies that he also feels unusual - a typical problem for adolescents.

In fact, telekinesis only adds to Sydney's problems. She finds herself in ordinary situations: arranges a pogrom, remains in punishment after school and hides traces of her actions in the house. It's just that in her case, the reason for such actions is beyond the understanding of others. Although every student thinks the same way.

But everything is not confined to a serious drama. Attempts to understand the nature of superpowers (based on scientific research or simply from comics) are very funny and remind that the heroes are still children, although they try to seem older and cooler.

Unobtrusive references

Taking such a theme, and even working in collaboration with the producer of "Stranger Things" Sean Levy, the authors of the series did not deny themselves the pleasure of scattering a lot of nice allusions to other famous projects throughout the episodes.

Shot from the series "I don't like it" - 2020

The already mentioned "Carrie" is referenced directly from the first shots (it was put in all the promotional materials). And the very structure of the plot is similar: the viewer is shown part of the denouement, but it is not known what exactly will happen and how it will be brought to it.

Of course, not without "Stranger Things". Sydney's abilities resemble those of the Eleventh, but the girl cannot control them, and it sometimes looks ridiculous. Well, the main characters sometimes make you think that this series is a spin-off of the first part of the "It" tape.

Moreover, the character of Sofia Lillis' character is very similar to Beverly Marsh. And the character of Wyatt Oleff is called Stanley in both stories. And so the scary scene with the descent into the basement seems almost like a direct quote. Is that the nature of the horror is more realistic here.

Of course, it will not do without the movie "The Breakfast Club". Probably, it is simply impossible to film something about schoolchildren without mentioning it.

Many other references can be listed, but it's best not to deprive the viewer of the opportunity to find them on their own. The main thing is that they do not look like an excessive desire of the authors to correspond to fashion, but are neatly inscribed in the plot and only complement the atmosphere. Even if you don't notice them, the show will still be very interesting.

The project “I don’t like it” turned out to be rather sad, but very nice. Charming characters do not cause irritation, it is pleasant to watch them. The touching story is probably familiar to young people, and older people will allow them to understand the new generation a little better. Even if teenagers seem completely different, as if they came from science fiction films.