Der Hooligan

The rating for Kibic truly doesn't do the series justice. As someone who usually avoids shows with a rating below 7.0, I was initially skeptical. However, my girlfriend, who has a knack for picking shows based solely on their cover art or movie posters, convinced me to give it a shot. And I'm so glad she did. Kibic is easily a 7.5 or higher-a hidden gem that deserves far more recognition than it's currently getting.

At its core, Kibic is a story about a young Polish man who finds himself drawn into the chaotic and often dangerous world of football hooliganism. While the premise might sound familiar-a protagonist caught between two worlds, struggling with identity, loyalty, and morality-the execution is what sets this series apart. It's a tale we've seen before, but Kibic manages to breathe new life into the archetype with its raw authenticity, emotional depth, and compelling characters.

One of the standout aspects of the show is its cinematography. The visuals are striking, capturing the gritty, visceral energy of the football terraces and the darker underbelly of hooligan culture. The camera work is dynamic, often using close-ups and shaky cam techniques to immerse the viewer in the chaos and intensity of the protagonist's world. At the same time, the quieter, more introspective moments are beautifully shot, with a keen eye for detail and atmosphere. The contrast between the adrenaline-fueled football matches and the protagonist's personal struggles is masterfully portrayed, making each scene feel purposeful and impactful.

What truly sets Kibic apart, though, is its heart. This isn't just a show about football hooliganism; it's a story about identity, belonging, and the choices that define us. The series doesn't glorify or romanticize hooligan culture; instead, it presents it in all its complexity, showing both the camaraderie and the destructive consequences that come with it.

Give it a chance...

Lately, I've watched a few series of this style, and I think the best one is Barra Bravas (Argentina). That one felt more engaging to me; I believe football gangs there have a greater impact, and the series portrays that very well.

Kibic (Enemy Fans) is entertaining-it's not bad-but it lacks depth. One key aspect of any series is that the characters, regardless of their role, should be captivating and charismatic. Here, neither the "bad guys" nor the "good guys" are enjoyable to watch.

The best thing about the series is its visual production, which is excellent. However, in a series of this genre, the visuals shouldn't be the highlight. It should have charismatic characters, a deep, well-developed plot, and immerse us more in the world of football. Instead, it all felt very superficial.

For example, if instead of Gladius being a football club, it had been a neighborhood, a basketball team, a Mexican cartel, or a church group, the series could have been made the same way. It never truly delved into the hooligan world, and I think that's a crucial mistake.

Honestly, this is anything but the story of a true fan. If this were a story about a fan, it would show matches, away games, how a real fan manages to get a ticket, to go to an away game... This is anything but a fan, this is a crime and not a fan. Completely missed the name with the shop, it should be called a drug dealer and not a fan. A completely wrong image being sent out to the world. Also, in the world of fans there are lawyers, doctors and much less like the main character.

The fan code is completely wrong, loyalty, fidelity, the rules of street fighting. Nothing is right and everything is shown wrong.

Great genre cinema showing the realities of football hooligans in Central and Eastern Europe. There is no soft play here. The consequences of decisions made by the main character, whether due to prevailing rules or youthful naivety, in subsequent acts tighten around the character and the viewer without forgiveness. Secondary characters wonderfully build the main character. And the sharp language, which does not contain halftones, leaves no illusions. These five episodes draw you in like thick tar and do not allow you to turn away. Production-wise, the series is tight. Photos, scenography, music, costumes, make-up. Everything merges into one image. An image of the realities of the workers' cities of Eastern Europe.

Crime wins in sports too. Very interesting series. Bravo the main actor, very intense interpretation. A trip into the dark world of hooligans that many do not know. A story that captures your attention and involves you. A fanaticism that is difficult to understand for those who are not part of this world. A visceral and sick love for the club. This series makes you discover a world that we have around us but we do not know. It is worth watching to get to know this world, even for those who do not like football or are not fans.

The main characters are well defined, a surprising Polish series..