I Am Not Okay With This
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I Am Not Okay With This is a Netflix original coming-of-age black comedy series, adapted from the graphic novel by Charles Forsman. The series introduces Sydney Novak, a 17-year-old high school student who is navigating the tumultuous landscape of adolescence, including the recent suicide of her father, strained family relationships, and developing romantic feelings for her best friend, Dina. Her already complicated life becomes even more chaotic when she discovers she has psychokinetic superpowers, which tend to unleash themselves in unpredictable and destructive ways whenever her emotions run high. The show blends elements of typical teen drama with a dark, supernatural twist, making it a compelling watch for young adult audiences. It delves into profound themes such as grief, mental health struggles, self-discovery, and the intense pressures of high school life, all through Sydney's sardonic narration via her diary. The single-season series explores Sydney's journey to understand and manage her terrifying abilities while trying to maintain her friendships and deal with complex emotional challenges, culminating in a significant cliffhanger.
Things to Consider
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
The protagonist, Sydney Novak, is explicitly identified as a lesbian teenager who experiences strong romantic feelings for her best friend, Dina. This central romantic plotline involves physical intimacy, emotional exploration of queer identity, and confrontations with homophobia.
Sydney Novak is portrayed as a 17-year-old lesbian who has a deep crush on her best friend, Dina, a relationship central to the series' plot. There is a significant scene where Sydney kisses Dina at a party, to which Dina later responds by admitting she 'didn't not like' it, signaling a potential romantic development. Additionally, Dina's boyfriend, Brad Lewis, publicly exposes Sydney's private feelings for Dina by reading her diary aloud at the homecoming dance, accompanied by 'gross homophobic insults'.
Violence
The series features graphic and sudden instances of violence, largely stemming from the protagonist's uncontrolled psychokinetic powers. This includes several destructive incidents and a particularly gory climax, necessitating a high severity rating due to its explicit nature.
Profanity
The series contains frequent and strong profanity, including the consistent use of explicit curse words such as the 'f-word,' reflecting the angsty and rebellious tone of the teenage characters.
Witchcraft & Occult
The core plot revolves around the supernatural element of psychokinetic powers inherited by the protagonist, Sydney, from her father. These powers manifest unpredictably, causing destruction and tying into a larger, unresolved supernatural mystery involving a shadowy figure.
Scary & Intense Content
The series contains significant scary and intense content, including graphic violence, distressing themes of suicide and mental illness, and suspenseful moments related to Sydney's uncontrolled powers. The overall tone can be dark and unsettling for viewers.
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Additional Context
Best For Ages
16+ (Mature Teens). This recommendation is based on the series' MA 15+ rating in Australia, indicating strong themes, violence, blood and gore, and a TV-MA rating often applied in the US, suggesting content unsuitable for those under 17. The show contains graphic violence, frequent strong profanity, substance use, and mature sexual themes, including explicit LGBTQ+ relationships and discussions of suicide.
Good to Know
The series was initially renewed for a second season but was subsequently canceled by Netflix due to circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving the first season's cliffhanger ending unresolved. The show has been compared to other popular titles such as 'Carrie' due to its themes of a telekinetic teenage girl, and 'Stranger Things' and 'The End of the F***ing World' due to its blend of supernatural and coming-of-age elements and shared creative personnel. The narrative is heavily influenced by Sydney's diary entries, providing an intimate look into her thoughts and emotional turmoil.
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