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XOXO

Character Analysis & Film Review

By Melissa ClarkPublished 3 years ago 4 min read
3
XOXO
Photo by Tony Pham on Unsplash

XOXO was released to Netflix on August 26, 2016. Six strangers come from all around to attend the music festival called XOXO. What comes is a day of and night of partying, drug trips, dates, fights, love, happiness, and an opportunity of a lifetime. The most important thing about the film is it is a character film. The main plot is the festival but it’s the ensemble that drives the story. We focus on the individual lives of Ethan, Tariq, Krystal, Shannie, Ray, and Neil. Since the pandemic of 2020, music festivals and concerts have been either cancelled or postponed so it is nice and bittersweet to see lots of people in a group dancing and having a good time.

The protagonist of this film is Ethan, the young disc jockey and dreamer who has been given his chance to play at XOXO. Graham Phillips plays the character with kindness, charm, integrity, a little shy but a big dreamer. He knows what he wants so he goes for it. Like many Ethan feels like a fish out water and questions if he belongs there. Some of the best advice to give to someone is go for it and “don’t be full of what ifs.” Ethan is an admirable and relatable character for so many. Don’t ever give up on your goal, even if you are scared.

Ethan is accompanied by his best friend and manger, Tariq. Brett DelBuono let the audience know who Tariq is from the start and stuck to the story line. He tries to prove himself and that his position as manager is not “a waste of time.” Although he loves and respects his parents, taking over the family restaurant is not the future he has in mind. Tariq is a kindhearted person who doesn’t want to let anyone down. Sadly, after a random girl kisses him, he accidentally consumes a mystery pill this leads to an array of flashbacks, nightmares, fear, bliss, and confusion. Tariq is at the center of some strange and a bit dizzying imagery, lost and under the influence of an unwanted drug. Music festivals can be fun but be aware of everything and be responsible. Without getting into spoilers Tariq remains determined.

Modern Family fans will recognize Sarah Hyland as the sweet and romantic Krystal. She tags along with her cousin and her friends to the festival to find her “soulmate” whom she believes is the boy she’s been talking to online and is meeting for the first time that day. Krystal wants true love as she states she wants “chocolate, the kind you savor.” She believes she deserves a fairy tale ending and is determined to find happiness.

The best story line in my opinion was Shannie and her boyfriend Ray. They only have that day together before Shannie moves to New York to begin her dream job. They want to make long distance work and what comes is the good and bad of their situation. They are left quite literally in the gutter. I have been a fan of Hayley Kyoko for ten years and I was not disappointed with her performance. Shannie is smart, tough, honest, loving, and a quick thinker. She is someone who chooses to face problems head on, or they won’t be solved. Kyoko shines this light on the idea to follow your dreams or follow your sweetheart? Can you have both? I have only seen Colin Woodell in The Flight Attendant so I don’t know much about his acting career. However, his portrayal of Ray surprised me in a good way. He is a bit of a party boy, but he is loyal, sweet, caring, accepting, and a really nice guy. He truly would do anything for Shannie and always will prove that he loves her but with her new life in New York he’s afraid she’ll forget him. His goal is to make their last day together as perfect and meaningful as possible to end on a high note. However, he hides his feelings of jealousy and concern which creates tension. Relationships aren’t perfect but it’s important to be honest.

Finally, is Neil. Right away you understand his personal connection to the festival, but he misses the days of no cell phones and "music with lyrics and a meaning behind it." He doesn’t want something “you hear to get high to or the background of a car commercial.” His old school nature is at first arrogant but he truly wants people to connect and be happy. After car trouble forces him to stay, he slowly makes his way around the festival unwittingly giving and receiving advice he didn’t know he needed. It doesn’t matter how old you are. Always make time for yourself and have fun. XOXO is a sweet tearjerker film that makes you want to cry and get up and dance. Although the pacing is slow it manages to be a true heartfelt and fun story. Check it out on Netflix if you have the time and are feeling musically driven.

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