Cruel Summer season 1 review - A gritty teen drama made for adults and young adults alike

3/5

Story:

The story is set in the summers of 1993, 1994, and 1995. Each episode focuses on a particular day of a month in each of these years. The very first episode sets the tone for the entire series as Jeanette Turner transforms from the nerdy invisible teen in 93’, to the popular teen in 94’, and by 95’, one of the most despised people in the country. The reason being that she is accused of staying silent despite knowing the whereabouts of Kate Wallis, who went missing sometime during the fall of 93’. The 10-episode series details the mystery surrounding Kate Wallis and how it affected Jeannette Turner’s life from 93’ to 95’.

Review:

There are a few obvious plot holes in the series that need to be brushed under the carpet to truly appreciate it. The chronology of the timelines could be problematic for some as the narrative jumps from one year to another without warning on a regular basis. The showrunners made use of specific colour grading for each year to help the audience identify the time period and keep track of the chronology. It has also been used to signify the general mood of the town in general.

The darker tones in 95’, for instance, are used to signify how the town, the primary characters, in particular, has been engulfed by controversy, tragedy, and despair. However, it is the performances of the actors in how they portrayed their respective characters with regard to the changes in their demeanor and look each year is that truly sets each time period apart. Chiara Aurelia’s performance as Jeanette Turner and Olivia Holt’s portrayal of Kate Wallis were outstanding. Chiara Aurelia essentially plays three very distinctive versions of Jeannette Turner, and she did it with ease as if she were a veteran of the industry. Olivia Holt’s performance was equally impressive, with some outstanding performances by the supporting cast as well.

The core of the story revolves around themes such as trauma theory, sexual abuse, manipulation, grooming of young adults by sexual predators, homophobia, class prejudice, and the social constructs which push impressionable and troubled teenagers into the hands of dangerous individuals. Each character represents, through their respective trauma, the shortcomings of a society that could be mistaken for a utopia from the outside. It is quite extraordinary how the showrunners were able to integrate all of this into the show without disturbing the pacing of the narrative.

The underlying message of the entire season could ultimately be that young women are always made easy targets not just for predators, but also for society to vilify them and treat them like outcasts. The series also goes to great lengths to highlight how predators could be the most well-mannered and well-liked people in the society, pushing back the idea that sexual predators are more often than not loners and social deviants, whilst also highlighting that there are times the society is equally guilty for the abuse young women endure.

While the plot holes stick out at times, it does not amount to significant damage to the overall quality of the series. The final scene in the finale is what truly undermines what could have been one of the best television shows this year. While it could be argued that it does add mystery which could set up for a potential second season, it undermines the overarching theme of the story.

Verdict:

A well-produced and gripping television show which could have been so much more.