(may contain spoilers)
Sweetpea
Douban rating: 7.4
Director: Ella Jones
Starring: Ella Purnell, Jon Pointing, Nicôle Lecky, Calam Lynch
Douban Comments: “I binge-watched all 6 episodes in one go – definitely worth recommending. It’s not just a mindless action series, though it’s very exciting. At its core, it’s about women realizing their self-worth. The ending is epic with five kills, and there’s likely going to be a sequel.”
“This ending is just so overwhelming – it’s far darker than I expected. The direction is truly unique compared to other bullying-themed stories, with deep insights and a profound message. It feels like the show is conducting a psychological analysis of the protagonist. The most painful thing about being bullied is realizing that the person who hates you the most is actually yourself.
Even after taking revenge and thinking she had healed her wounds and turned her life around, she still couldn’t face her true self. She couldn’t bear to hear others call her a ‘monster’ because, deep down, she believed it to be true. Her trauma was never truly healed. Killing was just a release, a coping mechanism. As the officer said, she’d keep needing it, becoming dependent, even addicted.
The root of the issue is that she doesn’t love herself. Without that self-love, she can never fully stand on her own side or truly feel a sense of control over her life. A few harsh words from others can strip it all away in an instant. From the very beginning, her way of reclaiming power was flawed, and that’s why this story serves as a brilliant cautionary tale and legal reminder.”
“The female lead is completely protected by plot armor, always managing to escape danger no matter what. I really can’t stand how she kills so many others but goes soft on Julia, who bullied her. It looks like an action-packed show, but it’s not as satisfying as it could be!”
“The lead actress did an amazing job – you can really feel the depth of her emotions and empathize with her. Julia’s character is also portrayed with striking realism. When she bullied others as a young woman, it wasn’t for any concrete gain – it was just to make others feel miserable, as if proving to herself that she wasn’t as worthless as she feared. Later, as an adult, she seems to have achieved a picture-perfect life with marriage and success but is trapped in domestic abuse. Yet, she still keeps yearning for love from her abuser, showing how deeply ingrained these cycles of pain and self-worth issues can be.
The storyline avoids mindless twists and instead highlights the complexity of human nature. Julia’s liberation, while seemingly a ‘solution’ to her struggles, actually underscores the contradictions of humanity. Even though Julia is free now, as a self-centered and self-serving person, she’s unlikely to genuinely feel grateful to the protagonist. Instead, she’ll see her as terrifying and monstrous. She will probably never understand, on a fundamental level, why the protagonist became this way. Her disappearance with the credit card hints at further complications – maybe betrayal or another twist.
AJ, too, isn’t purely good. Taking advantage of connections to seize someone else’s opportunity shows another layer of ethical compromise. This series reveals women’s struggles at every level, from interpersonal to systemic, weaving them into the narrative in such a nuanced way.
I’m really looking forward to Season 2. That said, I still hope the protagonist can somehow catch a break and find a shred of luck amid all the chaos.”
The Penguin
Douban rating: 8.8
Director: Craig Zobel, Helen Shaver, Kevin Bray, Jennifer Getzinger
Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz
Douban Comments: “This feels like the show of the year! Colin Farrell’s acting is absolutely top-notch. As the Penguin, he commits all sorts of crimes – arson, murder, theft, and framing others – basically, pure evil. Yet somehow, you still sense a glimmer of kindness and vulnerability deep inside him. The story is intense and full of suspense, with even the dialogue scenes carrying an undercurrent of tension. In the small details, you can feel the desperation of someone from the bottom of society, left with no other choices.”
“The final episode was incredible, with textbook-level character foreshadowing. I had a hunch about the mother’s storyline, but I never saw Victor’s ending coming. It wasn’t until the last 15 minutes that the true nature of the Penguin was revealed – such a bold and confident narrative structure. As for the final shot, it perfectly integrates this iconic villain into Gotham’s core Batman storyline. Honestly, there’s no need for a second season; it wrapped up flawlessly.”
”This script is miles ahead of Matt Reeves’ work. There’s no forced romantic subplot, and the characters feel grounded, telling a street-level story of struggle and survival for the underdogs. Oz’s story naturally resonates with a broader audience – his personal journey, the loyalty and betrayal among his crew, and the feuding within his family. Even in just one episode, so much groundwork has already been laid. The cinematography could use a little more polish, but hey, not everyone can match Dune’s cinematographer.
I’m especially glad Batman isn’t in this – it doesn’t need him looming over everything. But the comment section? Hilarious. People are comparing this to spin-offs like Agatha All Along, trying to hype themselves up with such a niche, low-tier character. What’s the point of comparing a fantasy-style spin-off to a crime drama? Come on, this is just funny.“
”This is what a top-tier entertainment series should look like – crisp pacing, straightforward storytelling, and layered, vivid characters. It weaves together the spectacle of crime and deep emotional arcs beautifully. The parallels between Oz and his mother, and Sofia and her family, are especially well-crafted. I’m already looking forward to seeing the Penguin face off with Batman in The Batman Part II!“
The Day of the Jackal
Douban rating: 8.4
Director: Brian Kirk, Anthony Philipson, Paul Wilmshurst, Anu Menon
Starring: Eddie Redmayne, Lashana Lynch, Úrsula Corberó
Douban Comments: “So cool! That sniper scene in the first episode was so elegant! And I was wondering why Eddie’s wife looked so familiar – turns out it’s Tokyo! Tokyo from Money Heist, she’s my favorite! Can I rate it a 6 out of 5? Especially since the twist at the end of episode 6 completely caught me off guard.”
“Eddie Redmayne and Lashana Lynch are undoubtedly the two highlights of this series. Eddie brings depth and complexity to the protagonist, ‘The Jackal’, moving beyond the typical one-dimensional portrayal of an assassin. Instead, he infuses the character with a human touch. Under his performance, ‘The Jackal’ is no longer just a killing machine but a layered individual with a rich inner world. His calm demeanor, sharp intellect, and occasional glimpses of warmth make the character incredibly compelling, leaving the audience eager to uncover his true nature.
The production quality is top-notch, with filming spanning multiple cities and villages across Europe. The stunning landscapes add a vibrant layer to the story, and the director masterfully integrates them into the narrative, making them a part of the storytelling itself. The assassination sequences and action scenes are brilliantly shot, delivering a powerful visual impact. The moody indie rock soundtrack amplifies the unease and heightens the tension, perfectly complementing the drama.”
“The spy thriller plot itself isn’t anything particularly special; it all depends on the chemistry between the leads. One is sly and weak, like a chameleon or a sneaky reptile, while the other is strong and fierce, like a lion or a predator. One strikes from a distance, using its long tongue to catch prey, while the other rushes in for close combat with sharp claws. This contrast between them makes the showdown exciting to watch.”
“I really enjoyed the parts with Eddie Redmayne. It’s supposed to be a battle of wits between two heroes, but Eddie just completely dominates. The clean and efficient assassin is absolutely amazing. The only downside might be that I was just watching for how cool Eddie was – his opponents were just too weak. Also, the family storylines felt a bit disappointing. I still believe that a professional assassin shouldn’t get involved in relationships or have kids before retiring; it just creates too many weaknesses.”
