A Journey from Rags to Riches: 'The Red Queen' Review

Hello everyone!

For someone who's not a die-hard fan of series, finding something with a manageable number of episodes that's easy to binge-watch is a small win. For me, that show was The Red Queen, released in 2015. I knew it was broadcast on Russian TV, but I just didn't care. Guess I missed out.

So, my paths crossed with this show when I stumbled upon episodes on my favorite YouTube channels. And one of them was all about Soviet model Regina Zbarskaya. I'd only ever heard of her in passing, with phrases like 'the most beautiful weapon of the Kremlin' popping up here and there. And of course, the YouTuber couldn't resist mentioning The Red Queen in the same breath – a show that's supposed to be semi-autobiographical. They even inserted entire clips and shared their personal opinions. I remember hitting the X button, but not because I lost interest. Quite the opposite. I was hooked, and the only way to get back to the video was to watch the show myself first. Those inserts were gorgeous – sunny Moscow views, 50s and 60s reconstructions, and the Soviet fashion world.

I decided it'd be the perfect backdrop for my winter mood. I ended up watching it twice, last winter and this one. It was great for a cozy night in, munching on treats, and for a lunch break at work. I love how short it is – just 12 episodes at 45 minutes each.

My first watch took two days, and I was hooked from the start. I don't regret the time I spent on it, even though my opinion on the show was constantly changing. I know not everything that was shown was based on real events – some characters are fictional, and the storyline was added to create extra plotlines. As for the main star, some people say the writers went a bit overboard with the accuracy. In this review, I'll try to focus on the show as a work of fiction, nothing more.

Meet Zoya Kolesnikova, the daughter of a war veteran who lost his leg and spends his days drowning his sorrows in booze. They live in a rural area, let's say they're not exactly rolling in dough, but mom's got big dreams for her daughter. She's a straight-A student and helps out with household chores, which is no small feat. One thing that stands out, though - the show's got some creative liberties with Zoya's family life. In reality, her dad was a respected guy, not a drunk who terrorized his family.

But one fateful night, everything changed. Zoya's dad had a bit too much to drink and ended up having a meltdown, lashing out at his family. He nearly killed mom, but Zoya stepped in and saved the day - or rather, her mom's life. She whacked him with whatever she could find, and, well, he didn't make it.That was a tough blow. Losing both parents in one night is a reality that Zoya Kolesnikova faces. Her mom takes the fall for the crime, and Zoya's left to figure out how to move on. Despite her bravery, Zoya doesn't receive the medal she deserves. It's a tough time, especially when you're trying to focus on your studies. Zoya's forced to rebrand herself, changing her name to Regina, and she sets off to conquer Moscow. Little does she know, her journey from VGIK student to catwalk model is just beginning.

I'm not a fan of shows that spin their wheels and go nowhere fast. 'The Red Queen' is definitely not one of them. I've gotta give a shout-out to the writer - there's a ton of stuff happening, and it all flows together really well. No jarring transitions or awkward pauses. We get to see the main character grow up in real-time, and it's actually pretty compelling. I found myself eager to keep watching, wondering what would happen next.

The supporting cast is also pretty great. Each character has their own unique story, and they're not just there to advance the plot. Some of them even get a bit of a sendoff, which was nice to see. Overall, the writing and pacing are top-notch, and I'm glad I got to experience this show. The writers are trying to tackle social issues that still make us uncomfortable – and some of the Soviet citizen's actions were downright catastrophic, let alone against the law: unplanned pregnancies and abortions, alcoholism, voluntary exit from life, open relationships with an intact marriage and a kid from that marriage, and the brazenness of those in power. The show's characters fight, make up, and deal with betrayal.

When I watched this, I couldn't help but feel a lot of negativity towards these puffy jackets that were taking advantage of their quota spots to attend a Paris fashion show with the Soviet fashion house. Because there were so many of them, the lesser-known models got screwed over and had to fight tooth and nail for a spot on the French catwalk. Unfortunately, this isn't some artistic fiction – it's a harsh reality from back in the day when local authorities would take their entire family on these trips while those who actually worked hard to get there were left with scraps.

I'm not qualified to judge the historical accuracy of the show. I didn't live through those years, I didn't see firsthand what was going on in the country, and I can only make educated guesses. But what's shown on the screen does leave you feeling a bit uneasy. The way things were presented in the show is pretty disturbing: was it really true that Soviet people weren't allowed to communicate with foreigners without being closely monitored by the relevant authorities? And the way medical ethics are portrayed is just not believable: gynecologists these days aren't always the most delicate people, but back then, apparently, it was just accepted that they'd be aggressive and rude.

To be honest, I think the real fashion house back then would've looked more... upscale. The one in the show looks more like a school drama club. I'd have expected something a bit more grand and well-decorated – after all, international delegations and high-ranking officials would've been attending these shows. I might be wrong, though. That's not how I pictured the place where the 'beautiful tools of the Kremlin' work.

The horror elements in this show are like a drop of poison in an otherwise sunny landscape. Most of the time, it's the main character's creepy dreams, but they're not just random additions - they serve a purpose. Occasionally, you'll see some gory scenes shot through a dark grey filter, but those moments are few and far between.

The final episode leaves you with a weird aftertaste. After everything you've seen, you just want to forget it all. It's like a hollow feeling in your stomach, and you can't shake off the sense that some of the characters didn't deserve what happened to them.

are well-developed, and it's hard to find anyone who's one-dimensional. Some are fictional, while others are based on real people. The main character... she's a real piece of work. Her looks are stunning, even if she doesn't bear much resemblance to the real Regina Zborska. The makeup and styling team did an amazing job, especially when it comes to showing her at different ages - from a young student to a grown woman. It's a testament to their skill. I have to admit, I couldn't look away from the screen when they cut the heroine's hair, giving her a chic bob with curled ends. It completely transformed her, accentuating her facial features. And overall, her work in the modeling world has given her a complete makeover - her fashion sense is now way more appealing. I'm just curious, though, how she manages to wake up with perfect hair every morning... But then again, she spends most of the series in these frumpy, unflattering dresses, sweaters, and weird skirts. Okay, I can chalk it up to her tough circumstances. By the way, how did a straight-A student and a brilliant student not know what a nightgown is? That's going to be a pretty awkward moment in the show. And to top it off, this well-read lady still doesn't know much about the history of Leningrad.

Regina's character is super quirky. The first thing that struck me is her infantilism. I'm probably just clueless about people, but I thought someone who's been through their own personal hell wouldn't be so ridiculously infantile. Every time something awkward happens, Regina makes a big scene and storms out the door. When someone calls her out, she pouts, gets up, and says she's probably going home. It feels like she's waiting for someone to freak out, apologize, and make nice with her.

I also think Regina's too self-absorbed and fixated on her own feelings. I'm not sure I could forgive her for being a major jerk to one of the show's best characters (who the writers came up with). Still, it's hard not to feel for her in the later episodes. Part of me thinks she's got it coming, but another part... it just doesn't feel right.

I'm not surprised that actress Yanina Studilina landed the role of the snobbish blonde. It's happened before, and it's happening again. By all the laws of the genre, her character (Tata) should have bullied Regina at university - they're from different social classes. Regina's from a poor family in the provinces, while Tata's from a wealthy family in the city. But here's the thing: the girls didn't let their social differences get in the way of becoming friends. In fact, Tata helped Regina with her entrance exams, and their friendship blossomed from there. It's not a problem for Tata to invite her new friend over to her place, help her out with tricky situations, or even lend her some clothes in one episode.

August is one of the best characters in the series. She's an aristocratic, wise woman who became a beacon of hope for Regina, who had just moved to Moscow. They met by chance, but their friendship turned out to be life-changing. August taught Regina a lot of things - her manners, how to speak French, and more. August has seen a lot in her life, but it hasn't broken her spirit. She still loves life, and that's what makes her such an amazing character. I've got to give a shoutout to Vera Aralova, the artist and designer who really stole the show. She's the one who saw something in Regina and gave her a chance to shine. Vera's got an incredible work ethic and a serious dedication to her craft. I was blown away by her attention to detail and her ability to bring out the best in Regina. She's definitely the unsung hero of the series, and I think she's the real MVP. I've gotta say, one of the things that really stood out to me was how it expertly puts Regina in her place when she starts getting all dramatic. If August is like the icing on the cake for the main character, then Vera's the whip. And let's not forget Caleria - the head of HR who used to be a supervisor. Old habits die hard, so the poor models often pay a steep price for being even one minute late. The character's pretty complex, but also super colorful. Lev - that's the guy who's gonna turn Regina Kol'nikova into Regina Barskaya. Yeah, he's based on a real person, and there's a lot you could say about him, but I'll leave it at that.

I mean, there are so many characters, it's hard to mention them all without giving away too much of the story. Each one has an impact on the main character's fate, some more than others. I'll say it again, they all look incredibly lifelike, and you can almost see a familiar face in each of them. The acting is top-notch too.

Visually, the show is super warm and sunny. It's got a bright, colorful, and vibrant feel to it, and you never feel like things are going to take a dark turn. There are hardly any dark scenes, and that's exactly what I love about it - I hate when shows try to convey the mood through too much darkness.

Composers who worked on the background scores for the series deserve a shoutout too. Yeah, the show not only looks great, but it also sounds pretty darn good. I've been paying a lot more attention to how atmosphere and mood are conveyed through sounds in scenes lately, and this show nails it. I'm particularly fond of the cello melody during the dramatic moments. And the music in the opening credits? Awesome. Plus, there are some recognizable songs in the episodes.

are super positive. The show's not perfect, but it's super easy to binge-watch – 12 episodes fly by in no time. I didn't feel any drag or stagnation; the plot moves quickly, and the events don't get repetitive. And it's all topped off with great characters, played by talented actors. Plus, the show looks really nice, almost summery. But don't get too comfortable: the show can get pretty heavy and has some nasty surprises in store.

I've got to say, the main character's antics in some scenes were a bit too immature for my taste - those cartoonish door-chasing and lip-blowing moments just looked ridiculous. And I'm still not convinced about her perfect grades. Plus, the show's got some factual inaccuracies. I highly doubt the real Regina Zbarska would behave like the TV version does. But hey, I'm trying to brush off those minor flaws. I'm giving it a solid five stars. I was thinking of four, but after rewatching, I changed my mind. If you're looking for something short and engaging, I'd definitely recommend checking it out.