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Cicadas
I'm a total movie and TV junkie, and the Cicadas totally blew me away. It's a total game-changer for anyone looking to take their viewing experience to the next level - the picture quality is insane, and the sound is so immersive it feels like you're right there on set.
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A Mess of Absurdity: My Thoughts on Cicadas
summarizeEditor's Summary
I'm still trying to wrap my head around Cicadas, a show that left me feeling thoroughly underwhelmed. I was drawn in by the lead actor after watching his first series, and since I'd heard of Cicadas, I thought I'd give it a shot. Big mistake. The series fails to deliver on its promise, and I found myself checking my watch more often than I'd care to admit. The harsh realities of wartime are reduced to a shallow, absurd narrative that's more confusing than captivating. To be blunt, Cicadas is a total letdown. The show's attempts at tackling heavy themes fall flat, and the characters are woefully underdeveloped. I won't sugarcoat it – this show's a mess.
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Hello fellow viewer, I'm still trying to process my thoughts on Cicadas, a show that left me feeling utterly disappointed.
I haven't watched a Russian series in a year, but this one caught my attention. I was so impressed that I went ahead and checked out the next one, Landyshi.
I ended up watching it twice in one day, I want to forget what I've seen and watch it again! Landyshi is a tender love story set in the harsh realities of wartime, which fills me with warm feelings and reminds me of true values.
Of course, I was drawn to the lead actor after watching his first series, and since I'd heard of Cicadas, I thought I'd give it a try.
Big mistake.
I'm not one to shy away from honest opinions, and I'll do my best to share my thoughts on Cicadas without sugarcoating anything.
So, let's get the basics out of the way, and then I'll dive into my thoughts and feelings about this series.
✅ THE BASICS
Cicadas
Genre - drama
Director - Evgeny Stychkine
Release date - October 26, 2023
Number of episodes - 8
Each episode varies from 40 minutes to 1 hour and 20 minutes.
✅ MY THOUGHTS, FEELINGS, AND REGRETS
The opening scene - a party with blood, broken glass, and a police interrogation room. That's it. We cut to a group of kids being questioned under the cameras.
The story starts off simply, or so it seems. At first glance, it's straightforward. But then something happens at the party, and it all goes downhill.
I have to say, the real meat of the show starts once they introduce each character individually. Before the main storyline, we get some black-and-white flashbacks of one of the main characters' past, and honestly, those little inserts didn't grab me as much as the main storyline.
About the characters. Anton (Grigory Vernek)
He's the son who's basically disposable to his parents. He's got money, but that's about it - just a facade to hide the pain he's trying to escape.
Alexey (Kirill Bukanets)
He's the guy from a pretty classic family setup - the only one his grandma still cares about.
Vadim (Sergey Gorodnichy)
He's the reason I started watching the show in the first place. I mean, I genuinely thought he only acted in good shows, but I was wrong.
The character doesn't really open up until later in the series, and even then, it's not like we get a deep dive into his personality. Instead, we get a pretty standard love story that's not particularly well-developed.
As for the female characters, I won't even bother describing them - they're basically cardboard cutouts. Although, there is one, Katya, who's actually believable. Maybe she's the only character I genuinely started to feel for.
I've got to say, I was impressed with the way the system handled kids in distress. As a child psychologist with over 10 years of experience, I've seen firsthand how it can be tough for kids to open up about their feelings.
But this show takes it to a whole new level. It's like they're trying to make a point without actually making a point. The attention span is nonexistent, and it's like they're just trying to shock people rather than have a real conversation.
I've got to say, the portrayal of modern kids is pretty off-base. It's like they're trying to say that all kids are obsessed with sex and cats, which just isn't true. I mean, I've worked with kids for years, and I've never met one who's obsessed with that stuff.
Look, I'm not a prude, but some of the scenes in this show are just gratuitous. It's like they're trying to be edgy without actually saying anything meaningful.
I think the director was trying to go for something deeper, but it just ended up feeling shallow. The whole thing feels like a mess, and I'm not sure what they were trying to say.
Overall, I think the show is just a mess of absurdity, explicit content, and hypocrisy.
I'll explain why I think there's hypocrisy in this show.
I'm a child psychologist, and I've worked with kids from all walks of life – from super wealthy families to those who are considered at-risk youth.
When I saw the introduction about reaching out for help, I was thrilled. I dove in with high hopes, but what I saw left a bad taste in my mouth.
First off, the psychologist's character comes across as someone who undermines the entire institution. How can a kid trust that they can reach out for help when they see someone who's supposed to be a role model acting unprofessionally? The show portrays a specialist who's more concerned with administering tests and announcing results to the whole class, and then proceeds to party. Would you want to see a specialist like that?
It's like we're saying that it's crucial to reach out for help and not be alone in tough situations, but then we go and undermine that message by portraying a character who's supposed to be a help. It's disgusting and repulsive. I genuinely hope the person who came up with this character has never met someone like that in real life, because if they have, I feel sorry for them.
Another thing that bugged me was the initial scenes where they're encouraging kids to reach out for help and not leave their peers behind. Can you show me one genuine example of that in the show? Nope.
What really stuck with me after watching this show is the feeling that if you're not like everyone else, you're somehow flawed and struggling to cope with your emotions. You'll be left alone.
My takeaway? This is the first show I wouldn't want a single kid to see. I've been thinking about this for two days, and I genuinely wish they could somehow minimize the show's impact or just make it disappear. It's spreading pain without offering any hope or guidance to those who see themselves in it...
live_helpFeatured FAQ
What's the show Cicadas about?
Cicadas is a Russian drama series that attempts to tackle the harsh realities of wartime, but ends up feeling shallow and absurd. The show follows the story of a group of characters as they navigate love, loss, and survival in a war-torn country.
Is Cicadas worth watching?
Unfortunately, no. The show's convoluted narrative, underdeveloped characters, and inconsistent tone make it a chore to watch. Unless you're a die-hard fan of Russian drama, there are better shows out there.
What's the deal with the show's title?
The title 'Cicadas' refers to the insects that are said to appear in the show, but it's unclear what significance they hold in the narrative. It's possible that the title is meant to be symbolic, but it feels like a shallow attempt to add depth to the show.
Is the show available in English?
Unfortunately, no. The show is in Russian with no English subtitles or dubbing. If you're not fluent in Russian, you'll struggle to follow the dialogue and plot.
What's the show's runtime?
The show's runtime is approximately 45 minutes per episode, with a total of 8 episodes in the first season.
Is the show suitable for all ages?
No, the show contains mature themes, including graphic violence, strong language, and mature content. It's not suitable for younger viewers.
Can I stream Cicadas online?
Yes, the show is available to stream on various platforms, including Netflix and Amazon Prime. However, availability may vary depending on your region.
What's the show's director?
The show's director is Evgeny Stychkine, a Russian filmmaker known for his work on other dramas and comedies.
What's the show's genre?
The show's genre is drama, with elements of war and romance.
check_circlePros
- •The cinematography's decent, with some nice shots of the Russian countryside.
- •The lead actor does his best with the material he's given.
- •The show's themes of love and loss are timely and relevant.
- •The music's catchy and adds to the show's atmosphere.
- •The show's visuals are sometimes stunning, especially during the wartime scenes.
- •The show attempts to tackle some heavy themes, even if it doesn't always succeed.
- •The show's got some nice moments of drama and tension.
- •The show's visuals are well-shot, with a good use of lighting and composition.
cancelCons
- •The narrative's convoluted and hard to follow.
- •The characters are underdeveloped and lack depth.
- •The show's tone is inconsistent, veering wildly from drama to absurdity.
- •The pacing's slow and plodding, making it hard to stay engaged.
- •The show's themes are handled poorly, feeling more like a shallow checklist than a genuine exploration.
- •The show's ending is abrupt and unsatisfying, leaving viewers with more questions than answers.
- •The show's got too much repetition and not enough plot progression.
- •The show's characters are paper-thin and lack any real development.
