I’d had The End of the F**ing World sitting on my watchlist forever. For some reason, I assumed it would be a bigger time commitment, but it’s actually one of the easiest binges I’ve done, and honestly, one of the weirdest. And I mean weird in the absolute best way.

The graphic novel of the same name by Charles S. Forsman The End Of The F***ing World was adapted to television by Jonathan Entwistle & Lucy Tchernak.

Premise: James (Alex Lawther) 17 is pretty sure he is a psychopath. Alyssa (Jessica Barden), also 17, is the cool and moody new girl at school. The pair make a connection and she persuades him to embark on a road trip in search of her real father.

Review

This isn’t your typical teen drama. The show is sharp, a little tragic, and darkly funny, with characters who are smart but also hopelessly naïve. There’s something about James and Alyssa that sneaks up on you. One second you’re thinking, “What is wrong with these two?” and the next, you’re fully invested in their messed-up little road trip. It’s like a teenage version of Bonnie and Clyde, except instead of robbing banks, they’re running from their lives and themselves.

The performances are on point, so much so that Lawther and Barden very much seem like they are James and Alyssa, and this show is a twisted documentary. Their performances feel so effortless, so natural, that it’s hard to imagine anyone else in the roles. That realism is what makes the show work. You believe them, even when the plot gets wild. You believe the awkward silences, the impulsive decisions, and those little glimmers of vulnerability that crack through their walls.

By the end, you’re left with a show that’s dark, funny, and unexpectedly heartfelt. It’s a quick binge, but it leaves an impression, one that sticks with you long after the credits roll.

Get the Graphic Novel here

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