A 17-year-old self-proclaimed psychopath decides he wants to kill someone for the first time. James (Alex Lawther) chooses Alyssa (Jessica Barden), a girl from his class, as his victim and kidnaps her. In the process, he will learn about her troubled relationship with her mother, her absent father, and her feelings of loneliness and inadequacy. This will mark the beginning of a weird friendship that develops as they face off the obstacles and mishaps that get in their way. Adapted from the graphic novel of the same name by Charles Forsman, The End of the F***ing World is a bleak absurdist comedy that combines the all-too-familiar teenage angst with a dose of dark humor and somber subject matter.

The Netflix show shines in its cynical depiction of heavy topics with moments of deadpan humor and luscious English scenery that serve as the backdrop for the story.

The trend of teenage shows

The characters in the show talk in short and dry sentences, often interrupting each other and going off on tangents, which gives the dialogues an awkward, comedic charm but also makes the emotional moments shine much more.

Moreover, one of the series’ most vital qualities lies in its main protagonists. In fact, James and Alyssa are funny and exciting on their own. Still, together, they form an unlikely relationship that is compelling to watch and vastly different from most common romantic couples on TV.

Similar to shows like Euphoria and Sex Education, The End of the F***ing World continues the trend of mature and gritty shows about teenagers, exploring every aspect of how these characters deal with love, trauma, and societal expectations. Also, director Jonathan Entwistle stated that works such as Twin Peaks and Fargo inspired him when he was filming the show.