Coming-of-age adaptations like "Normal People" and "Insecure" have become a pop culture staple in recent years for their interesting character dynamics and plotlines. Shows and films, such as "One Day" and "Past Lives," that mix themes of friendship, love and loss have fans fixated worldwide.
But which projects execute these themes the best, and which ones miss the mark? Why are certain series more popular than others and more lasting in pop culture? Let's find out:
"One Day"
The newly released Netflix series is based on the novel by David Nicholls. With a previous film adaptation from 2011 starring Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess, the Netflix series reimagined these roles by enlisting newcomers Ambika Mod and Leo Woodall. The series is currently ranked 8.2 out of 10 on IMDb and received a score of 91% on Rotten Tomatoes.
This series chronicles Emma Morley and Dexter Mayhew's relationship from the time they met in 1988. The two fall in and out of romance while overcoming struggles with self-identity, career aspirations and addiction. This series captures intimate moments, platonic or romantic, incredibly well; the two actors' chemistry nearly jumps off the screen.
However, its pitfall lies more in not giving Emma a happy ending, which her character deserves after years of neglect from Dexter. While this stays true to the novel and original film, it also feels wrong to many viewers. Yet, Mod believes the ending of their "One Day" adaptation is more hopeful.
In an interview with Netflix, Mod said, "I think that's what's heartbreaking about the book — it's this juxtaposition of these two wide-eyed students and the dreams they have for their future, and then how things actually turn out."
She also said the montage scene in the final episode "encapsulates what that moment is trying to do and what the book does so well. It's very hopeful and beautiful. It really took my breath away."
Mod's acting is also the most memorable of the series, it would've been nice to see even more scenes with her on her own rather than with a love interest.
"Normal People"
Released in 2020, Sally Rooney's mini-series follows a similar format to "One Day" and quickly became a pandemic sensation. Starring Paul Mescal as Connell and Daisy Edgar-Jones as Marianne, the show follows the lives of the two high school students after their first meeting.
The show takes viewers to the point where Connell and Marianne graduate college. It is known for exploring toxic masculinity, mental health struggles in men and other serious topics like domestic abuse. Mescal and Edgar-Jones perfectly match each other while exploring emotions like sadness and frustration, but their individual performances equally left an impact on viewers.
With a predominantly white cast, "Normal People" is another love story that only focuses on the struggles of white individuals, which is why it isn't the most relatable television show. It also leaves viewers on a major cliffhanger, which Rooney intended, but many fans were left confused and shocked.
Since the show's release, its cultural impact has been significant. Following the series' success, director Lenny Abrahamson adapted Rooney's second novel, "Conversation with Friends," for Hulu. While the show didn't receive as much praise as "Normal People," it did help launch Rooney into stardom. It also allowed Mescal and Edgar-Jones to achieve their own fame, both since landing roles in major films like "Aftersun" and "Where the Crawdads Sing."
The fandom is alive and well today; many fans make countless TikTok edits about the show and continue to support both actors online.
"Past Lives"
The Oscar-nominated film "Past Lives" was released last year and features incredible acting from Greta Lee and Teo Yoo. Lee and Yoo play the roles of Nora and Hae Sung, two best friends who are separated after she moves from South Korea to Canada. When the two reconnect while Nora is in college, they form a budding friendship that hints at the potential of a romantic relationship.
However, when Nora and Hae Sung realize that their lives are moving in two different directions, much like their childhood, the chance of being more than just friends fades. Eventually, the pair reunites a few years later in New York City, examining their friendship and wondering if they could've been lovers in another life.
This film has received praise for its writing from director Celine Song and its accessible viewing experience as a bilingual film. While incorporating themes of love and heartbreak, it also explores the problems many Asian Americans face regularly, especially after immigrating.
"Insecure"
Issa Rae's "Insecure" is an incredibly underrated comedy television show. Airing from 2016 to 2021 and integrating similar humor found in the likes of "Fleabag" and "Girls," the show centers around Issa Dee, played by Rae. It is a somewhat autobiographical perspective of Rae's rise to fame while living in California alongside her best friend Molly Carter, played by Yvonne Orji. The two work together throughout the show to overcome the obstacles they face as Black women in entertainment and law.
The actress wrote the show to provide more representation in television and comedy. Rae said, "Eventually, I had to suck up the fear and decide, could I live with someone else, possibly making this idea that I had? Or could I be brave and put myself out there, and let myself face this criticism in a show that was flattering and that could possibly change my life?"
Throughout its runtime, "Insecure" received 14 Primetime Emmy nominations, including one win in 2020 for Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Comedy Series. Rae also received a Satellite Award for Best Actress in a Series, Comedy or Musical in 2019 for her role.
Rae's writing shines in this series, especially as she makes extremely uncomfortable situations educational and compelling by adding touches of humor. The show doesn't conform to the stereotypical coming-of-age love story, instead documenting Issa and Molly's journey toward self-acceptance and achievement. While there are many love tropes and discussions of dating and marriage, "Insecure" is more about friendship and acceptance.
