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Netflix is not new to teen dramas. However, I Am Not Okay With This is a unique look at teen drama with the added twist of superpowers, coming of age, queerness, and psychological horror. These genres come together in a quirky show that still manages to touch on the serious side of growing up. If you focus on just one part of the whole, the show might seem cliche. But the combination of genre pieces completes a puzzle that speaks to more than just one fan base.
I Am Not Okay With This: Parts
Many parts of the show come together to create an intriguing picture. Without the sum of its parts, the show trickles into monotony. Other shows attempt to mix genres and most shows have some sort of drama attached to their category. The genres I Am Not Okay With This meshes together are not necessarily adjacent to the television spectrum. From teen drama to horror to superhero to coming of age, the show masterfully weaves a tale with more success than some shows with fewer genres to mix.
Teen Drama
We have the popular jock, the best friend, the quirky love interest, and of course our protagonist. Sydney is played by Sophia Lillis, who gives a brilliant performance of a typical teen navigating life. She brings an acting range that portrays the emotions and tribulations that many teens face. Even though the show uses her as a narrator, her inner thoughts are easily read through her acting and range of facial expressions.
Though the decade is not specified, the show’s school vibe reminds us of other Netflix schools like the ones in Stranger Things and Sex Education put off. This brings viewers a familiar feel that allows them to focus on the story. While the characters play with gender and sexual identities, the teen archetypes have been used before. The overused tropes the show uses to represent the “teen drama” aspect of the narrative could present as cliche without the added aspect of the horror genre.
Horror
The show starts with brief clips of a blood-covered Sydney running down the street. Sydney’s light dress and the spattering of blood has Carrie vibes. Lillis again shows her acting chops with a specific terror at the haunting forces in the show. Whether reacting to an unseen force or running from her own powers, Sydney has reason to be afraid.
This terror is separate from the fear she has of her own powers and the anxiety of growing up. The scenes channeling the horror aesthetic are masterly woven into other aspects of the show. Even in the midst of a Breakfast Club-style detention, the show adds a layer of the supernatural to add further intrigue.
Super Hero
Sydney’s greatest secret is her telekinetic abilities. These powers seem to manifest when Sydney gets angry or experiences strong emotion. This tie to inner feelings is similar to many “supers” in fiction such as Hulk in the Marvel universe or Elsa in Frozen. The show even pokes fun at itself, with Stanley attempting to “develop” Sydney’s powers by provoking her emotionally. Without the presence of a more serious coming-of-age thread, Sydney’s powers paired with the teen drama genre could quickly become goofy or beyond the believable.
Coming-Of-Age
Coming of age differs from the teen drama part of I Am Not Okay With This because of the familial and inner conflict that Sydney deals with. From the loss of her father to the realization that she loves Dina to the bullying her little brother faces, Sydney has challenges that many people face. Unlike many superheroes, Sydney is just an everyday girl that has to learn how to cope with these challenges in a human way. She goes to a therapist and is asked to use her diary as a way to work through her emotions.
Even the show’s use of Sydney’s prevalent potty mouth recognizes the way some teenagers use profanity as a way to express their inexpressible feelings. The trauma and identity struggles she must deal with make her relatable to viewers. This provides a reality that is more tangible without losing the lighter and more fantastic parts of the show.
Music
The music and sound effects for I Am Not Okay With This helps smoothly tie the genres together. The soundtrack mainly pulls from the teen drama and coming of age point of view. Reminiscent of many teen movies, it is upbeat and funky. This puts viewers into a nostalgic place that brings them back to their own high school days. The obviousness of many of the tracks is part of the show’s on-the-nose narrative style.
Songs like “I’m Not Like Everybody Else” and “I See It, I Like It, I Want It” open the show emphasizing Sydney’s unique situation, even before the audience truly knows all the facets. “Holding Out For A Hero” finds Sydney and Stanley working on her powers, and “Nightmare On Elm Street” clearly references the horror side of the show. Singer-songwriter Graham Coxon and Tatyana Richaud make up the fictional band Bloodwitch that Stanley loves and shares with Sydney. The patchwork of musical styles mirrors the show’s eclectic genre.
Which Direction Will I Am Not Okay With This Go?
Ending with a big cliffhanger at homecoming, the show leaves plenty for new seasons to explore. This mish-mash of genres is poised to be a fascinating show that covers the best aspects of genres we love. However, there is a chance the show could stretch itself too thin trying to cater to all its parts. Though we can only wait to see what the show becomes, it holds the potential for a unique story that will appeal to many. Here’s to an equally brilliant season two!