British accent and teenage life are two things I can rarely resist. The former is a listening pleasure while the latter is full of visual aesthetics, at least on screen.
The seamless connection between a free-spirited mindset and the region’s impeccable creative culture is evident in many aspects, and it generally works quite well.
Everything Now is a new teenage show from the UK. It settles for eight episodes, each running for at least forty-five minutes.
Netflix calls it an offbeat, bittersweet, and emotional series.
But does it fulfill these adjectives? Here is my review.
Everything Now Synopsis
After getting treated for Anorexia for months, Mia returns home.
But what should have been a ‘back to the real life’ experience turns sorrowful when she discovers her friends have been partying, drinking, and hooking up: all without her.

Created by Ripley Parker, Everything Now stars Sophie Wilde (Mia), Lauryn Ajufo (Becca), Harry Cadby (Cameron), Noah Thomas (Will), Sam Reuben (Alex), Niamh McCormack (Alison), Jessie Mae Alonzo (Carli), Robert Akodoto (Theo), Vivienne Acheampong (Viv), Alex Hassell (Rick), and Stephen Fry (Dr Nell).
What Works for Everything Now?
This show is a treat in many ways. It combines a youthful mix of friendships, heartbreaks, and realizations.
But what sets Everything Now apart is its foundational theme of Anorexia, a food disorder. I had never thought someone would make it the primary idea of a TV show.
Mia, the protagonist, grapples with an aversion to food so strong that it lands her in the hospital, leading to a seven-month stay at a medical facility.
Her daily life becomes a tightly monitored regimen, with meals meticulously documented and a strict ban on exercise.
After going through all this trouble for seven straight months, her return becomes the talk of the town.

Everything Now exploits this “return” of Mia to normal life. How she is treated and how she treats others are basically the parallels that come to light in the long run.
While the series heavily emphasizes the bonds forged among teenagers, it weaves in ample situational comedy and a constant stream of witty banter.
However, it also delves into the profound emotions of care and empathy that young people share, enriching the series with emotional depth and resilience.
Moreover, Everything Now has an affable screenplay. You would love the show’s consistent emphasis on conflicts through which it is able to generate warmth.
A noteworthy element of the series is its protagonist’s imperfections.
Mia is far from the ideal teenager, and the writing doesn’t shy away from portraying her irritability, anger, and stubbornness, reflecting the complexities of real-life adolescents.
Instead, it builds the character in a manner that resonates with real-life youngsters in that age bracket.
Furthermore, I cannot speak any less about Everything Now’s focus on Anorexia. It takes the disorder seriously and forces the viewer to think about the side effects of the same.

You are not just shown Anorexic behavior from the outer covering. The show goes deep and explores the underlying challenges.
Nothing is more precarious than people, especially your loved ones, looking at you differently. As if you are abnormal.
Additionally, Everything Now sustains itself at a decent pace. It also has to do with the narration, I guess.
Coming back to the relatability aspect, Everything Now aces the dilemma teenagers face in forming relationships.
The age of hookups and breakups finds an almost perfect portrayal in the series.
How are the Performances?
The list of actors in the show is endless. Still, I will try to cover a good bunch of them, which obviously doesn’t mean others are any less.
Sophie Wilde plays Mia, a rebellious teenager who has had her share of issues. More than Anorexia, it is the people, who according to her, are the real villains.
I am unsure if this rough sketch sounds difficult on paper but it is among the toughest roles to ace, especially when you are midway through your twenties.
Wilde gathers the richness required to bring authenticity to the character. Thereafter, she uses her acting prowess, built over the years, to swap herself with Mia.

Every bit of her screen presence is genuine. Her emotional countenance, expressions, and physical movements make Mia believable.
Lauryn Ajufo as Becca has a distinct authority to her act. She doesn’t ever become the major center of attraction and still creates a memorable identity for herself.
Harry Cadby comes around as Cameron in Everything Now. His free-flowing act in the beginning develops with the runtime and we get to see his fragile side, which goes on to show his versatility as an actor.
Noah Thomas is Will in Everything Now. Various aspects of the actor’s personality are brought superbly to the screen. Thomas works as the much-required humor infuser for the series.
Robert Akodoto is superb as Theo. He relies on casualness and improvisations more than the traditional features of acting.
In fact, the whole cast goes with the idea of impromptu display, which helps teenage life prosper in the show.
Everyone else, whom I may have missed, has been brilliant. There are no poor performances in this British teenage drama.
What Doesn’t Work for Everything Now?
With eight episodes, the series might be tough to watch in one go.
It is lengthy, sometimes forcing you to think about why are they beating around the bush.
Another downside is its lethargic middle phase, where the scenes or setups that should have evoked more fun and laughter, unfortunately, fail to do so.
Stream or Skip?
For teenagers, Everything Now is undoubtedly a must-watch series. The rest can test it with the first two episodes.
Overall, the show is watchable.
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