Netflix has never really lacked content. If anything, the streaming giant is yet to cover some regions on the globe.
Sweden is not one of them as the country’s creations have been consistent in finding a banner on Netflix.
Recently, we saw Tore, an unconventional drama. Now, a new suspenseful show, A Nearly Normal Family, has premiered on the platform.
Also, cerebral and understated, the show is based on the novel by Mattias Edvardsson.
Hop on to read my take on the series.
A Nearly Normal Family Synopsis
Four years after a tragic incident, things finally settle down for the Sandells family only to shake up their lives in the most unexpected manner.
Directed by Per Hanefjord, it stars Alexandra Karlsson Tyrefors (Stella), Lo Kauppi (Ulrika), Bjorn Bengtsson (Adam), Christian Fandango (Chris), Melisa Ferhatovic (Amina), Hakan Bengtsson (Mikael), and others.
What Works for A Nearly Normal Family?
If not acted upon, history, or the past, for that matter, repeats itself. A Near Perfect Family is a show that deals with sexual violence.
At the age of fifteen, Stella is sexually assaulted by a man she barely knows. Due to certain inconsistencies, her parents decide against going to the cops.
Four years later, Stella finds someone whom she can finally love. Things are starting to turn around and family bonding is quite well, too.
However, their world collapses when one of the members is accused of murder. Secrets come to the fore and the incident takes away their peace of mind.
‘A Nearly Normal Family’ distinguishes itself as one of the least pretentious shows, addressing a serious crime relevant to social awareness without adopting a preachy tone.
The series adeptly captures the suffering, pain, and trauma of the protagonist, maintaining a delicate balance without veering into extravagance.
It crafts a mysterious tale out of almost nowhere and manages to religiously hook you.
A gradual screenplay amelioration liberates the show from predictable clichés, allowing it to unfold naturally in harmony with the story’s movements.
Anticipation builds organically as mysteries envelop the narration, keeping viewers curious about the twists that lie ahead.
Despite its origins in a published work, the cinematic adaptation of A Nearly Normal Family stands on its own merits, avoiding the common pitfall of replicating written prose in film.
The series thrives in a dark environment, enhancing its narrational prowess, coupled with an enticing investigative appeal that delivers both thrill and intrigue.
I also liked the characterization with every individual carrying a shade of gray. Nobody is righteous, from the protagonist to the anti-hero.
You may not agree with the lead’s actions but that doesn’t make her wrong.
A Near Perfect Family evokes your perspectives and forces you to have an opinion about each individual.
Lastly, the series hides its mysteries well and ensures you don’t always have an upper hand while predicting the twists.
How are the Performances?
Alexandra Karlsson Tyrefors leads the show as Stella. Her definite character depth superbly helps in creating a resonating individual for the audience.
She ticks all the boxes to rightly attract the limelight. The detailing through expressions, her cryptic ambiance, and held back jovial mien ensure a matured outing as an internally dilapidated individual.
Lo Kauppi plays Ulrika in A Nearly Normal Family. She blesses the show with an oblique sense of owning the screen.
Having a sublime set of skills, Kauppi never lets the individuality of her character wane. She is compelling as an actor, which you can notice throughout her demonstration.
Bjorn Bengtsson portrays Adam and he is the glue that sticks the fictional family together. The restricted embodiment by the actor helps you relate more to Adam.
At times, Bjorn drinks his intensity to blow a soft bubble that shatters the narrative upon bursting. So, that’s how he slowly generates interest in a character we may otherwise ignore.
Christian Fandango and Melisa Ferhatovic are both sincere in their acts.
Fandango builds himself using the charm in his demeanor while Melisa has a certain affability to herself. Their acumen is neat and polished, strengthening the storyline further.
What Doesn’t Work for A Nearly Normal Family?
There is no such thing as a bad thing in A Nearly Normal Family. It succeeds in landing the kind of impression the show sets out to exude.
Stream or Skip?
You can go for it without a doubt.
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