First Kill

First Kill is a Netflix original series that premiered in 2022 and is steeped in the lore of supernatural romance and gothic intrigue, blending elements of horror, drama, and young adult fiction. The show is based on a short story by bestselling author V. E. Schwab, known for her fantasy novels and unique storytelling.

Set in the quaint town of Savannah, Georgia, First Kill weaves a tale saturated with the tense dynamics of families entangled in a hidden world of monsters and hunters. It explores the age-old rivalry between the two factions and how it complicates the lives of the series' protagonists.

The show centers on Juliette Fairmont, a teenager from a lineage of powerful vampires. In this universe, vampires are not the solitary predators of lore but family-oriented and governed by an ancient set of rules and customs that dictate their way of living in secret alongside humans. Juliette’s character faces the pivotal rite of passage that every young vampire must complete—the first kill—which will cement her place in her family and their society. This kill is necessary for her to gain full strength and be recognized as an adult in the vampire community.

Meanwhile, the story simultaneously follows Calliope Burns, a new girl in town who has moved many times with her family. Unbeknownst to their unknowing neighbors, the Burns family are legacy monster hunters tasked with protecting humans from supernatural creatures that lurk in the darkness. Calliope, who is trying to fit in and lead a somewhat ordinary life, is also pressured by her family expectations to continue the legacy and prove her worth as a hunter.

The lives of these two young women become intertwined when they find themselves drawn to each other, creating a complex and intense connection. Juliette sees Calliope as the potential target for her first kill, unwittingly unaware of Calliope’s true nature. On the flip side, Calliope sees in Juliette the chance to make her first kill and cement her status as a hunter. However, things take an unexpected turn when feelings begin to blossom between them, setting off a chain of events that challenges their family loyalties and the very foundations on which they've been raised.

As Juliette and Calliope navigate their budding romance, they encounter the prejudices and fears entrenched in their respective families and their societal roles. Both are faced with the daunting task of going against centuries of tradition and the imminent struggle that comes with it. The show delves into their struggles to reconcile who they are with who they are expected to be, all while trying to understand their feelings for one another and what their relationship could mean for the precarious balance between hunters and vampires.

The families and their entourage are essential to the story, adding depth and complexity to the main conflict. Juliette's vampire family, the Fairmonts, showcase the regal and sophisticated side of vampire life, emphasizing elegance and a strict moral codex. In contrast, the Burns represent the gritty and relentless pursuit of their calling, equipped with an arsenal and a deep sense of duty. Both households are steeped in secrets, traditions, and a fierce dedication to their inherited roles, while also dealing with their own internal family dynamics and conflicts.

First Kill also doesn't shy away from showcasing the further diversity found within this secretive world. Alongside vampires and monster hunters, there is an ensemble of various creatures and mythologies that create a rich tapestry of the supernatural. These entities interact in various ways with our lead characters and contribute to the town's enigmatic charm and dark underbelly.

The show aims to mix the thrills of a horror-drama with the earnest exploration of young love's complexities and growing pains within a world of alluring darkness. It explores themes such as identity, acceptance, duty, and the sacrifices that are often made in the name of family or destiny. While navigating the transition from adolescence to adulthood, Juliette and Calliope are a metaphor for the struggle to find and embrace one's true self, amidst the expectations and opposition imposed by the world around them.

Visually, First Kill sets the atmosphere with a blend of Southern Gothic aesthetics—complete with antebellum architecture, misty graveyards, and an ever-present sense of history haunting the present—melded with contemporary settings and styles. The show is a melange of moody lighting, tight action sequences, and moments of tenderness that seek to pull viewers in and engage them in a narrative that's as much about creatures of the night as it is about the human experience in all its forms.

In essence, First Kill is a story of love and conflict that reimagines traditional monster myths and hunting lore through the intimate lens of a Romeo and Juliet-esque romance, featuring two characters who dare to defy the ancient feud that defines their existence.