Social Distance

Social Distance is an American anthology series from 2020, an era-defining offering from Netflix that delves into the extraordinary social change the world experienced that year. Unlike anything else on a perennially bloated Netflix roster, it's an audacious experiment in storytelling, one that entirely embraces the limitations of the year to offer a truly unique viewing experience.

The show's world is the real world under siege from the pandemic, but it's a nod to the human capacity for resilience and adaptability when faced with unprecedented trials. What makes Social Distance especially intriguing and relevant is how it utilises the very tools that defined 2020 to craft its narrative - those being video calls, remote communications, and our digital footprint.

The title of the series, Social Distance, speaks to more than just virus-immune interpersonal space. Asphyxiating physical separation gave birth to a newfound urge for social connection, and this anthology breathes life into the stories born of that dissonance. Each episode is a standalone story, but the implicit interconnectivity between them is the shared experience of an event that disrupted normal life across the globe.

Social Distance masterfully plays with a variety of genres and tones across its episodes. Comedy, drama, and even elements of speculative fiction blend together, mirroring the convoluted emotions we all faced. Whilst the circumstances of the year induced universal fear and anxiety, the series also showcases how this was a time of introspection, revelations and discovery of inner strength.

An especially commendable aspect of the series is its realism. The makers, instead of omitting the blemishes of video calls, use them to their advantage. Screen glitches, signal dropouts and unflattering angles are all featured with a candidness that only makes the storytelling more authentic.

Crafting an engaging narrative mainly through video calls seems like a daunting task, but the creators have pulled it off with panache. The show meshes together flashes of pre-Covid normality, 'current' conversations, and even delves into the virtual gaming environment.

The actors performed their roles from their homes and were guided virtually by the directors. This production aspect makes for an interesting creative process in itself. While the casting is quite diverse, it is the portrayals that impress; the performances feel raw and lived-in, encouraging the audience to forge a connection with each character within the limited time frame of each episode.

Eight episodes bring to life eight separate, distinct narratives. The series explores themes of isolation faced by the elderly, the challenges and strains it puts on familial dynamics, and the redefinition of social norms and etiquettes. It looks at the year from myriad perspectives, painting a vivid picture of a society grappling with an unprecedented crisis.

What sets Social Distance apart is how it gets personal. It reveals how the 'new normal' has tested and reshaped relationships whether it's a grieving family, a nursing home resident, a pregnant woman, or a frontline worker one may relate to, everyone has their own unique battles to fight.

Highlighting the intensity of those moments when one feels both a deep need for, and fear of, human connection, it showcases interpersonal relationships under a microscope, offering a glimpse into our collective global experience, showing how despite being physically distant, 2020 was a year of emotional reunification.

By framing bleak realities through a lens of optimism and resilience, Social Distance goes beyond documenting a challenging period in modern history - it encapsulates the human tendency to cling onto and strengthen remotely held bonds when forced apart, making it a poignant, relevant and reflective piece of work.

As a piece of entertainment, it provides an engaging and emotive viewing experience. However, it's also a testament to innovation and adaptability—both in its content and the manner in which it was produced—that truly symbolizes the spirit of 2020. Social Distance can cause you to pause, think, laugh and perhaps even shed a tear, making it a must-watch anthology reflective of the times we live in.