Red Ruby

Red Ruby is an American teen drama and supernatural thriller produced by the Brat Network, which debuted in 2019. Not just another high-school drama, this show blends the eerie presence of the supernatural with the thrills of teenage life, presenting an intriguing blend that keeps the audience hooked from the first episode itself.

The show is a part of Brat Network's captivating roster that targets the Gen Z audience, successfully incorporating themes that resonate with this demographic - be it friendship, love, family, or navigating through school life - while also satisfying the craving for supernatural thriller narratives.

The show is grounded in the town of Hollow's End which has an eerie past where a hundred years ago miners discovered a new kind of crystal dubbed as 'Red Ruby'. Its mysterious power that bewitches people to fall into eternal sleep gives it an ominous aura and inevitably lists it as forbidden. Stepping into the present, the story commences with new students including Flora, who is more than she appears, enlisting into the local high school.

Without revealing any spoilers, it is sufficient to say that Flora is the crux of the majority of the show's supernatural elements, and the series efficiently utilizes her enigmatic character to build tension and suspense. The narrative deftly unfolds her unheard story, navigating through the corridors of the high school and the dark, shadowy alleys of Hollow's End.

While Red Ruby revolves around a dark narrative, the show effectively ropes in the nuances of teenage life. It captures the essence of high school scenarios: relentless bullying, enduring friendships, teenage infatuations, and familial tensions. The coming-of-age element serves as a perfect foil to the darker, mythical side of the series, providing both a sense of familiarity and a haunting other-worldliness to the narrative.

The characters in Red Ruby are well-crafted and engaging. Besides Flora, who is at the center of the narrative, the show features a significant list of supporting characters, each with their unique backstories, carrying the potential to create subplots that add depth and excitement to the primary narrative thread.

Each episode, approximately 10-15 minutes in length, grips the viewer's attention throughout. The series boasts high production value, superior writing, and engaging performances from a young cast. The creators strike a good balance between soap-like teenage drama and supernatural horror, making it a pleasure for viewers who like a bit of both genres.

One element that noticeably stands out is the show's title and the ‘Red Ruby’ itself. The forbidden stone from Hollow’s End serves as the backdrop for several exciting and nerve-wracking turn of events throughout the show. Its intriguing lore piques interest, and its central role leads to several plot twists, cliffhangers, and mysteries that keep the viewer enthralled in the overall narrative.

Although the series caters particularly to a younger audience, it doesn't limit itself to that demographic. The themes explored are universal, and the captivating allure of the supernatural makes it a worthwhile watch for any audience appreciative of the genre.

Moreover, although set in a small town, Red Ruby gleefully employs a cosmopolitan touch in its narrative fabric. Whether it's matters of identity, acceptance, or self-discovery, the show touches upon various contemporary issues. It is this uniqueness and the perfect blend of reality and supernatural, of teenage life and timeless lore, that makes Red Ruby a standout series on the Brat network.

To sum it up, Red Ruby is an intense and engaging series that adds a supernatural twist to the typical teenage drama. Its compelling narrative and relatable characters make it a hit among audiences despite its relatively short runtime. The show contains a haunting allure, constantly hinting towards a dark, omnipresent danger while maintaining the pulse of high school life. This makes Red Ruby a delightful and exciting series, offering a fresh perspective in the supernatural genre.