Exploring the Teen Series "Chicle": Flaws vs. Appeal

The Russian series "Chicle" (2024), released on the Premier platform, aims to mark a new chapter in the realm of teen cinema. The streaming service's management has touted this project as a catalyst for refreshing the lineup of youth-oriented shows. However, audience reviews and critical analyses point out significant flaws ranging from an overly simplistic plot to questionable thematic development. In this exploration, we will dive into what attracts viewers to the series while also revealing what might push them away.

Plot: Love, Stalking, and Tragedies

At the heart of the narrative lies Galia Shalamova (played by Darya Balabanova), a girl hailing from a group home in the suburbs of Moscow, who dreams of gaining admission into the VGIK (Russian State Institute of Cinematography) to become a screenwriter. Her existence is a melodrama, laden with challenges, including an abusive relationship with her boyfriend Kirill (Anton Artemyev), the looming release of her mother (Yulia Volkova) from prison, and a profound lack of emotional support and meaningful communication.

By chance, Galia stumbles upon a stream made by the popular blogger Roma (Anton Rogachev), who operates under the alias Hans Schmuze. Coming from a wealthy family, the young man embodies everything Galia has never encountered: freedom, lightness, and a carefree lifestyle. As Galia falls for Roma, she begins to construct naive fantasies of a blissful future together.

However, their interaction, which starts as a romantic date, swiftly spirals into an obsession on Galia's part. She fabricates tales about her life merely to impress him, while Roma regards their relationship as little more than a frivolous flirtation. His misguided prank—staging his own death—becomes a tragic catalyst. Convinced of her beloved's demise, Galia resolves to hunt down and exact revenge on his supposed "killer."

Key Themes: Superficiality or Relevance?

The series tackles an array of themes that, at first glance, should resonate with contemporary youth. However, the execution often raises more questions than it answers.

1. Love and Stalking

Galia's transformation from an innocent dreamer to a single-minded stalker is troubling. Her behavior resembles an unhealthy fixation rather than a genuine expression of love. In parallel, Roma’s lies and manipulative tendencies showcase a classic toxic character.

2. Bullying and Toxic Environments

Abuse is rampant not only in Galia’s relationship with Kirill but also within her broader interactions with society. The bullying endured at the group home, coupled with a severe lack of support and ridicule from the so-called "golden youth," contributes to an oppressive atmosphere.

3. Parent-Child Relationships

Although Roma's family enjoys financial stability, they are emotionally fragmented and distant. His mother is enveloped in her own struggles, his father is wholly absorbed in work, and his ailing sister remains in the shadows. In stark contrast, Galia has no parental anchor—her mother has just been released from prison and her father is notably absent.

4. The Impact of Social Media

Representing the archetypal influencer, Roma crafts a fictional life around him, shrouding his genuine issues. His circle colludes in maintaining this facade, participating in the staged death prank. While this aspect hints at social media's influence on adolescents, the show merely skims the surface.

Characters: An Attempt at Complexity

The creators advertise their intention to present multifaceted, imperfect characters. However, the outcome feels muddled.

• Galia elicits pity and sympathy, yet her obsession and erratic decisions can alienate viewers. She appears more of a pawn in her circumstances than an autonomous individual.
• Roma is depicted as a stereotypical rich kid: wealthy, unfeeling, and frivolous. His actions, particularly the prank involving his "death," strip him of any sympathy.
• Kirill, on the other hand, embodies a caricatured thug from the 90s, with his abusive tendencies being glaringly apparent from the outset.

Production: Clichés and Averageness

Directed by Alexander Tsoy, who has previously worked on youth-oriented projects like "Difficult Teens" and "Smychok," "Chicle" falls short of the bar set by the director's earlier works.

1. Music and Visual Atmosphere

Like many homegrown teen series, "Chicle" is awash with neon parties, clip-style montages, and mediocre music. These elements set the scene but fail to lend any significant depth to the narrative.

2. Dialogue and Script

Despite being the brainchild of nine screenwriters, their combined efforts yield little in the way of substantial results. The dialogue remains forced, and character actions often defy logic, making the viewing experience somewhat disconcerting.

Criticism: What Disappointed Viewers?

Many viewers and critics have voiced their dissatisfaction with "Chicle."

• Clichés Instead of Originality: The plot is rife with tropes—from neon parties to affluent teenagers devoid of financial concerns.
• Lack of Realism: The actors portraying teenagers appear significantly older than their characters, raising doubts about the series' authenticity.
• Absence of a Clear Narrative Arc: The show attempts to tackle too many themes simultaneously, resulting in a disjointed storyline without clarity.

Comparison with Other Projects

Audiences have frequently drawn parallels between "Chicle" and other series such as "Euphoria" and "Sex Education." Nonetheless, the levels of dramatic tension, character development, and thematic relevance in those works surpass this series in significant ways.

The End: Is It Worth Watching?

The series "Chicle" serves as a quintessential example of an effort to craft something fresh and contemporary for a youth audience, yet the outcome is less than stellar. Clichés, weak dialogue, and superficial exploration of themes prevent the show from standing out in its genre.

For those in search of light-hearted teen entertainment infused with elements of drama, "Chicle" may hold some appeal. However, for viewers accustomed to narratives that probe deeper into substantial issues, it might be prudent to seek out other offerings.