The OA review

Objective Critique

The OA is one of the best television shows in the last 2 decades in terms of acting, effects, character development, engaging plot, themes and motifs, directing, cinematography, and originality.

It is hard to fit The OA in a single genre since it contains elements of science fiction, drama, and high-level philosophy and psychology. The show doesn’t have a mixed identity and combines all its elements in a beautifully cohesive narrative.

There are technically plot elements that can be spoiled, but the story is still engaging even if you know what will happen next. The acting from the entire cast is consistently put together which helps viewers get sucked into the world presented in the show. The kids have real problems and realistic reactions. The adults are trying to do what’s right even though they all have vastly different opinions of what is the right thing to do.

Much of the core story is told in retrospect by one of the characters, yet the mystery of exactly what happened remains. Unlike some stories that implement this technique, the knowledge that certain characters survive an ordeal does not ruin the viewers experience of discovering what that ordeal was. When characters in the past feel terror you will feel that terror alongside them even if you know they will survive.

The OA succeeds in this unique form of storytelling thanks to its unreliable narrator. By the end of the first season, viewers will have to decide for themselves what was real and what was imagined. Plus, even though the question of what is and is not real gets answered in season 2, the story then adds newer elements to enhance the experience in a new light thanks to dramatic irony. As viewers, we finally have a look behind the curtain as we watch these beloved characters struggle with their faith in their own perception of reality.

The OA is a refreshing piece of high-quality original television, and I am way too excited about it to try and stay objective, so let’s move on to the part where I get to gush about this show.

Subjective Review

I first saw this during a break in college when I had nothing to do but chill in my apartment. The show hooked me in the first 5 minutes, and I finished the whole first season within 24 hours. After each episode I had to keep watching because I was enjoying the story and characters that much.

Unlike the idiotic “mystery box” concept from J.J. Abrams, there isn’t one big secret that you’re just waiting to have revealed. The OA encourages the viewer to hypothesize and interpret the show and rewards them for using their imagination about what could be the meaning behind any given scene. The show doesn’t keep you hooked because of constant cliffhangers but because the story and characters are so interesting that you will want to keep watching.

First, the story is amazing. A woman who disappeared 5 years ago returns with a very interesting story about where she was. However, she only tells her story to a group of 5 misfits instead of talking to the police or her parents about the trauma she endured. Brit Marling managed to make an in-universe reason for narration and incremental flashbacks that actually enhances the development of the plot. The viewers get to go on a journey of discovery alongside the 5 misfit characters which makes it feel like you’re a part of the group.

The ending of season 1 is so intense and powerful that I still watch it from time to time just to feel that level of emotion of seeing all the effort and struggle of these fictional people fulfilled.

And then Season 2!

You would think the creators couldn’t go anywhere with the giant cliffhanger of season 1 or that it would be impossible to top the concise yet engaging narrative of the first season. But no, every element of the show gets better. Plus, since the story is now told entirely in the present, there is added tension and mystery about what will happen next with the characters.

Please go watch this show, or, at the very least, just go play it on the background so Netflix thinks tons of people are watching it because I need a season 3. You can’t just end on what happened in season 2 and think that’s okay. It’s not okay. WHERE IS SEASON 3???