Now Apocalypse

Now Apocalypse is an American television series that aired on Starz from March 10, 2019. It is an amalgamation of various genres, blending elements of comedy, romance, mystery, sci-fi and psychedelic exploration. From the creative force of Gregg Araki (known for his avant-garde style), this show is brimming with nonconformity and quirky allure. Steven Soderbergh and Gregory Jacobs act as executive producers, giving the production a distinctive creative edge.

The storyline revolves around Ulysses and his friends, who reside in the sun-soaked city of Los Angeles. As open-minded explorers, they navigate through life, relationships, identity, sexuality, and purpose. This narrative is far from ordinary due to Araki's unique storytelling style. Each character follows an unusually complex path, filled with romantic adventures and complicated relationships.

Ulysses, played by Avan Jogia, is a millennial struggling to find his place amidst the city's chaos. He is laid-back, exploratory, and battling with his own uncertainty about what he wants from life. His carefree exploration involves trippy adventures, sexual exploration, and a continuously questioning view of reality. His daily life starts to be clouded by creepy dreams that seem to hint towards some impending disaster, which lays the ground for an intriguing narrative.

Carly, played by Kelli Berglund, is another central character in the series. She is an aspiring actress and part-time webcam model dealing with eccentric clients. She brings a mix of openness, jest, and a cherry-on-the-top spectacle of LA's acting industry. Tyler Posey as Gabriel and Beau Mirchoff as Ford serve as love interests, with their own unique perspectives to add.

Now Apocalypse doesn’t shy away from showcasing bold content. It focuses heavily on sexual exploration and the pursuit of pleasure. The sexual dynamics are broad, crafting a cocktail of heterosexuality, homosexuality, and a fluid sense of gender — similar to how Araki has approached many of his past projects. The series uses these themes to explore more profound issues surrounding sexual power dynamics, consent, and the impacts of the digital world on intimate relationships.

The show's setting of Los Angeles could not be more fitting. LA's enticing landscape, the iconic Hollywood sign, the energetic cityscape, and the sprawling beaches create an almost surreal background for the story. It’s like visual candy, with saturated colors and introducing the mystical vibe to the otherwise realistic city.

Underneath the fun and playful antics, the series carries a persistent undertone of an impending apocalypse. Ulysses' dreams hint towards danger, and his growing paranoia leads to a series of exciting events. The element of horror, mystery, and the unknown add an extra layer of depth to the palpable tension increasing throughout the series.

What sets this show apart is its distinct identity, unapologetic portrayal of sexual exploration, and unique narrative structure. The characters are complexly written, and the story's progression is unpredictable, making it addictive. Araki’s innovative narrative techniques offer a fresh perspective on ordinary life and the millennial struggle to find meaning in an increasingly confusing world.

Furthermore, the colorful and visually striking aesthetic of Now Apocalypse, often described as 'pop surrealism', ensures that it stands out amongst the crowd of other contemporary shows. The bright neon palette almost mirrors the exploratory and sometimes erratic paths of its characters.

Now Apocalypse presents an experimental blend of comedy, mystery, and sci-fi and a uniquely visualized exploration of millennial existentialism. Its unfiltered view of sexuality, and unconventional storytelling style, makes it a groundbreaking venture on Starz. Viewers are taken on a roller coaster journey, combing through the labyrinth of modern relationships, identity crisis, dreams, paranoia, and the blurring of borders between reality and fantasy, all while maneuvering the end of the world - figuratively and perhaps literally.

Overall, the show is an endearing yet wild ride through the challenges of modern-day life, sprinkled with a healthy dose of comedic relief and unexpected surrealism. It’s a bold creation for those ready to delve into the eccentric and unconventional side of television.