The Society

The Society, a Netflix original series that debuted in 2019, is a modern, enigmatic thriller that centers around the themes of survival, leadership, societal order, friendship, and burgeoning adulthood. The young ensemble cast features a group of talented actors such as Kathryn Newton, Sean Berdy, Natasha Liu Bordizzo, Olivia DeJonge, Kristine Froseth, Rachel Keller, Grace Victoria Cox, Jack Mulhern, Gideon Adlon, and Jacques Colimon.

The series begins with a group of high school students in the affluent town of West Ham, Connecticut, preparing for a long field trip. As the buses set off, things take an eerie turn, and the group finds themselves returning home early due to what appears to be unforeseen circumstances. Home, however, seems strangely different, as if it's an eerie and unfamiliar facsimile of the place they've always known. Frighteningly, all their parents, younger siblings, and practically everyone else have vanished - as if they never existed, leaving the teenagers in perplexing solitude.

The town, eerily isolated from the rest of the world, is surrounded by a dense forest, which cannot be traversed, and all communication with the outside world seems severed. The town’s resources are finite and the group quickly comprehends that for survival, they'll have to operate on their own.

"The Society" throws these teenagers into an unexpected dystopia, just as they are preparing to embrace adulthood. Rather than studying, partying, and grappling with the common woes of teenage life, they are forced to tackle governance, survival tactics, law and order, providing for their food, maintenance of resources, as well as security, questions about democracy, socialism, and even totalitarian rule.

Kathryn Newton plays Allie Pressman, who occupies a crucial role in this vacuum of authority. Her transformation from an underconfident girl to a leader is fascinating to watch. Sean Berdy portrays Sam, Allie’s best friend and confidant, who’s also grappling with the challenges of being deaf in an already confusing world. There are other crucial characters, each with their diverse personalities, secrets, and motivations, who add layers to the storyline.

The mysterious circumstances and the eerie setting create an atmosphere of haunting suspense and thrill. Why have their family members disappeared? What exactly is happening in West Ham? Where is the rest of the world, and can they ever find a way back to it? Essences of the supernatural blend with the harsh realities of survival to create the relentless undercurrent of uncertainty that runs through the show.

While there's this gripping mystery at the heart of "The Society," the show also offers a lot more than just the thrill. It’s a tale of morbid reality, power play, morality, chaos, and the innate human instinct to survive against all odds. It explores the nuances of how societies are formed, how rules and roles are set, and how power operates, especially in an era of desperation and fear. It showcases true human behavior under duress, making it both a coming-of-age drama and a sociopolitical microcosm.

Despite being a thriller, the heart of the series arguably lies in its profound character studies. You see the characters evolve significantly throughout the series, dealing with romantic entanglements, personal insecurities, as well as heavy burdens of responsibility. The series unflinchingly reveals the dark underbelly of humanity but also portrays the beauty of hope, resilience, and camaraderie.

This thoughtful and suspenseful drama, laced with uncanny mystery, existential dread, political intrigue, and social commentary, makes "The Society" a riveting watch. Its Kafkaesque environment built around a Lord of the Flies-like narrative is an intriguing exploration of complex teen dynamics, societal constructs, and the human condition itself.

Overall, The Society is a compelling thriller that leaves viewers with many questions and will keep them on the edge of their seats as the young characters grapple with their dramatically altered existence, struggling against both their personal demons and the haunting mysteries of their circumstances. With its unique premise, credible performances, and earnest storytelling, "The Society" is surely a captivating journey that you'd find worth your time.