Chewing Gum: A Teen Drama That's More Predictable Than Novel

The Russian series "Chewing Gum" (2024), premiering on the Premier streaming platform, aspires to become a beacon of innovation within teen cinema. The online theater's management claims that this project will serve as a foundation for rejuvenating youth-oriented shows. However, audience reactions and criticisms reveal glaring issues, ranging from a predictable plotline to a questionable handling of relevant themes. Let's delve into what draws viewers in and what pushes them away from this series.

Plot: Love, Stalking, and Tragedies

At the heart of the narrative is Galia Shalamova (played by Daria Balabanova), a young girl residing in a foster home in the suburban outskirts of Moscow, who aspires to enroll at the VGIK (Russian State University of Cinematography) and become a screenwriter. Her existence is rife with turmoil: a toxic relationship with her boyfriend Kirill (Anton Artemyev), an impending release from prison of her mother (Yulia Volkova), and a profound lack of support and genuine communication in her life.

By chance, Galia stumbles across a livestream of popular blogger Roma (Anton Rogachev), widely known by his online persona Hans Schmuze. Hailing from a privileged background, Roma embodies everything Galia has long yearned for: freedom, ease, and carefreeness. As she falls head over heels for him, she starts fabricating naïve fantasies about an idyllic future together.

What begins as a romantic date between Galia and Roma quickly spirals into a one-sided dependency. To impress Roma, Galia lies about her life, while Roma views the relationship as nothing more than a light-hearted fling. His audacious stunt—staging his own death as a prank—serves as the catalyst for tragedy. Believing her beloved is gone, Galia becomes determined to find and punish his "murderer."

Key Themes: Superficiality or Relevance?

The series raises a number of topics that should resonate with today's youth. Unfortunately, its exploration of these issues often leaves much to be desired.

1. Love and Stalking

Galia rapidly transitions from an innocent dreamer to an obsessed stalker. Her behavior reflects not a healthy passion but a consuming dependency. Simultaneously, Roma’s deceitful and manipulative tendencies showcase a classic depiction of toxicity.

2. Bullying and Toxic Environments

Abuse permeates not only Galia's relationship with Kirill but also her interactions with the world around her. The bullying she suffers at the foster home, compounded by a lack of support, and the mockery she endures from the "golden youth" craft a stifling atmosphere.

3. Parent-Child Dynamics

Despite their material wealth, Roma’s family is fractured and emotionally distant. His mother is lost in her troubles, his father buried in work, and his ailing sister is left in the shadows. In stark contrast, Galia has no parental support; her mother has just been released from prison, and her father is mysteriously absent from the narrative.

4. The Impact of Social Media

Roma, as a typical influencer, projects a fabricated life while concealing his genuine problems. His circle perpetuates this illusion, playing roles within the staged death prank. Though this aspect was intended to underscore social media's influence on adolescents, the series barely scratches the surface of this theme.

Characters: An Attempt at Ambiguity

The creators aimed to craft complex, flawed characters. However, the end result is far from definitive.

• Galia elicits sympathy and compassion, yet her fixation and actions often repel. She appears more as a victim of circumstance than as an independent character.
• Roma is portrayed as the archetypal rich kid: callous, superficial, and frivolous. His antics, particularly the prank involving his "death," render him utterly unsympathetic.
• Kirill, on the other hand, resembles a caricature of a 90s thug, with his abusive personality becoming evident from the initial scenes.

Production: Clichés and Mediocrity

Directed by Alexander Tsoy, known for prior projects like "Difficult Teens" and "The Connector," "Chewing Gum" unfortunately fails to rise to the standard set by his earlier works.

1. Music and Visual Atmosphere

Like many domestic teen series, "Chewing Gum" is laden with neon parties, pop-culture montages, and mediocre music. These elements serve more as a backdrop rather than adding any depth to the narrative.

2. Dialogue and Screenplay

Despite the involvement of nine screenwriters, their efforts fall flat. Dialogue often sounds forced, and character behavior is frequently illogical, robbing the series of credibility.

Critique: What Disappointed Viewers?

A significant portion of viewers and critics have expressed dissatisfaction with "Chewing Gum."

• Clichés Over Originality: The plot is rife with tropes—from neon parties to affluent teens flaunting their wealth.
• Lack of Realism: The actors portraying teenagers appear significantly older than their characters, raising doubts about the authenticity of the portrayal.
• Absence of a Clear Arc: The series attempts to cover too many themes, causing its storyline to lose coherence.

Comparisons to Other Projects

Viewers have frequently drawn parallels between "Chewing Gum" and other series like "Euphoria" or "Sex Education." However, the dramatic intensity, character development, and topical relevance embedded in those projects significantly surpass what "Chewing Gum" has to offer.

Epilogue: Is It Worth Watching?

The series "Chewing Gum" stands as a quintessential representation of an attempt to produce something fresh and relevant for youth audiences. Unfortunately, the outcome is far from satisfactory. Its reliance on clichés, weak dialogue, and superficial exploration of themes prevents it from distinguishing itself in the genre.

For those seeking an easygoing teen show scattered with dramatic elements, "Chewing Gum" may hold a bit of appeal. However, viewers accustomed to more profound storytelling should consider exploring other options.