I’m Not Okay with This Season 1 Review

Now streaming on Netflix. Rated TV-MA.

I’m not sure what compelled me to watch this series, but I’m glad I did. As a big fan of superheroes and their lore, I was immediately brought in by the prospect of a young woman developing telepathic abilities. The opening scene introducing the film added to my interest as it is reminiscent of the horror classic Carrie. In many ways, there are a lot of parallels between I’m Not Okay with This and Carrie, as well as X-Men (and I’m sure many related works that I’m not thinking of at the moment of writing this).

I’m Not Okay with This is a charming coming-of-age story full of angst and sarcasm. We follow as the characters in the series go through genuine struggles and– in the case of our protagonist– mysterious works as well. Additionally, we get a considerably accurate depiction of depression, anxiety, and grief. The characters seem very real, as none of them is perfect, and the actors beautifully portray their imperfections flawlessly. 

This show also boasts some pretty impressive special effects that are reminiscent of the ingenious effects used in films like Chronicle. It’s subtle and seamless, and the sparse use of it is perfect for the tone the show maintains throughout. 

The story is fast-paced and easy to follow, and with only eight 30-minute episodes, this is a quick watch. The report, which you can probably infer from what I’ve written thus far, is very much character-driven which culminates into an emotional ride. As the season progresses, we are given a glimpse into what this series can become as small details are revealed, and questions are raised, only to be left unanswered. The questions are interesting enough to warrant interest in a second season.