Exploring the Teenage Series 'Chewing Gum': Hits and Misses

The Russian series "Chewing Gum" (2024), released on the Premier platform, aims to carve a niche for itself as a groundbreaking entry in teenage cinema. The platform's executives declared it a foundational step in revitalizing the landscape of youth-oriented shows. However, feedback from audiences and critics alike points to several glaring issues, ranging from a mundane plot to questionable thematic interpretations. Let’s explore what draws viewers in and potentially pushes them away.

Plot: Love, Stalking, and Tragedies

At the heart of the story is Galia Shalamova (played by Daria Balabanova), a girl hailing from a children's home in the Moscow region, whose aspirations are set on attending VGIK and becoming a screenwriter. Her life is no fairy tale, filled instead with dramatic twists: abusive relationships with her boyfriend Kirill (Anton Artemyev), the impending release of her mother (Yulia Volkova) from prison, and an overwhelming absence of support and genuine connection.

In a twist of fate, Galia stumbles upon a livestream by a popular blogger named Roma (Anton Rogachev), who is known online as Hans Schmuze. Roma, coming from affluence, represents everything Galia has never known: freedom, ease, and blissful contentment. Captivated by Roma, Galia spins naive fantasies about a happily ever after.

What begins as a charming romantic encounter quickly devolves into an unbalanced dependency. Galia fabricates tales about her existence to impress, while Roma views their interaction merely as a whimsical flirtation. His reckless prank—staging his own death—becomes the tragic inciting incident. Believing her beloved is truly gone, Galia's desperation leads her on a quest to hunt down and confront his so-called "killer."

Key Themes: Superficiality or Relevance?

The series touches upon various themes that seemingly resonate with today’s youth. However, the exploration of these themes leaves much to be desired.

1. Love and Stalking

Galia’s transformation from a dreamer into an obsessed stalker is rapid and unsettling. Her actions reflect not heartfelt devotion but a dysfunctional addiction. Conversely, Roma’s deceit and manipulation reveal a toxic tendency that is all too familiar.

2. Bullying and Toxic Environments

Abuse seeps not only through Galia's tumultuous relationship with Kirill but also permeates her interactions with the world around her. The torment she faces in the children’s home, coupled with the taunts from the elite youth, crafts an oppressive atmosphere that weighs heavily on her.

3. Parent-Child Dynamics

Despite their financial security, Roma's family is cold and fragmented. His mother is lost in her ambitions, while his father is engrossed in work, leaving a sick sister unattended in the shadows. In stark contrast, Galia finds herself completely alone, her mother just released from prison, with no mention of her father at all.

4. The Influence of Social Media

Roma acts as the quintessential influencer, parading a fabricated life that glosses over his genuine struggles. His circle plays along with this charade, contributing to the illusion. While this aspect has the potential to showcase social media's impact on teenagers, it is merely brushed over in the series.

Characters: Aiming for Complexity

The creators claim their aim was to craft nuanced, flawed characters. Nonetheless, the execution feels inconsistent.

• Galia elicits sympathy and compassion, yet her obsession and choices often push viewers away. She appears more as a victim of circumstance than an independent entity.
• Roma is depicted as a stereotypical rich kid: affluent, callous, and capricious. His actions, particularly the prank involving his "death," render him utterly unlikable.
• Kirill comes across as a caricature of a 90s thug, with his abusive nature glaringly evident from the outset.

Production: Clichés and Mediocrity

Directed by Alexander Tsuev, known for his previous work on projects like "Difficult Teenagers" and "Smychok," "Chewing Gum" fails to measure up to the standards of Tsuev's past endeavors.

1. Music and Visual Atmosphere

Like many domestic teenage dramas, "Chewing Gum" is saturated with neon parties, music video montages, and mediocre soundtracks. These elements merely provide background noise rather than enriching the narrative.

2. Dialogue and Screenplay

Despite the involvement of nine screenwriters, their collective efforts seem to falter dramatically. The dialogue comes off as forced, while character behaviors often lack clarity.

Critique: What Dissatisfied Viewers?

An overwhelming number of viewers and critics expressed disappointment with "Chewing Gum."

• Clichés Over Originality: The plot is peppered with well-worn tropes—neon soirées, wealthy teenagers flaunting their privilege, and unoriginal scenarios.
• Lack of Realism: The actors portraying teenagers appear significantly older than their characters, prompting skepticism about authenticity.
• A Lack of Cohesion: The series attempts to navigate an excess of themes, leading to a scattered narrative that lacks focus.

Comparison with Other Works

Viewers frequently draw comparisons between "Chewing Gum" and other series, such as "Euphoria" or "Sex Education." Yet, the dramatic depth, character development, and relevance of issues in those series markedly surpass what is presented here.

Ending: Is It Worth Watching?

"Chewing Gum" stands as a quintessential example of striving for contemporary resonance in youth media, yet the outcome leaves much to be desired. With clichés, weak dialogue, and superficial themes, the series struggles to distinguish itself from its peers.

For those seeking an easy-going teenage drama laced with some elements of emotional strife, "Chewing Gum" may hold a fleeting interest. However, viewers accustomed to more profound storytelling would be wise to explore alternative options.