Cruel Summer

It is hard to pick a rating for this because Season 1 deserves 9 stars, but season 2 is barely 4 stars. When I found out S2 was not a continuation, but a new plot with all new cast, I was equally excited hoping it would be as good as S1. It doesn't even come close. I don't understand how this show went from being as good as it was in S1 to this junk in S2. I've watched all 8 available episodes of S2 so far and honestly don't know why I'm still watching. I think there is only one episode left and no matter what happens it can't make up for how bad the other episodes have been. TLDR: Season 1 is amazing, Season 2 is trash.

I had never heard of this show, but it was among the recommended titles on imdb.

So I decided to give it a chance, while not betting a dime I'd end up loving it. I stand corrected! It had me "hooked, lined and sinkered" after 2 episodes.

First of all, it is not a teen series, although the main characters are actually teenagers.

Second, the plot is very good and bursting with twists that keep you guessing all along. The idea and of the 3 parallel timelines one year apart works great and seamlessly here.

Third, the acting is impeccable, the evolution of the characters over the 3 year span is flawless, and quite impressive, with a special mention for Chiara Aurelia. Olivia Holt is insanely pretty.

All in all, a great and entertaining series, that comes as an unexpected surprise. I'm glad I watched it.

Her character is bad in 1993, 1994 and 1995. I get anxious when her scenes are on. No one should use their mouth that much to talk, adding to the over-acting even more.

Review for Season 1: An enjoyable watch that keeps it interesting with all the time changes (each episode is set over the same day over 1993,1994, & 1995) and different perspectives between the two leading ladies. However, some of the casting was distracting and detrimental to the show. Harley Quinn Smith was absolutely unbearable to watch, and ruined every scene she was in, while Andrea Ander's accent didn't fit in with anyone else. Over acted at times, but overall a fun watch and fresh concept that wasn't necessarily filled with a lot of twists, but an interesting plot. I'm excited to see how they continue the concept over to Season 2.

Decent, had the potential to be amazing, but ended up failing to live up to its own potential with a disappointing soap-opera level ending.

At its strongest in it's nuanced and sensitive depiction of grooming. Mostly convincing in showing the awkwardness and changes of adolescence.

The changes in character appearance and cinematography between years helped to reduce confusion about what year each scene is happening in. But it did mean that the 1993 hair, fashion and style looked a lot more like the 80s than the 90s and 1995 was darker and bleaker than necessary.

The music of the era worked well, but the slow, paired-back, female singer versions of pop songs has been so over-done and it is highly, highly over-used in this show to the point of distraction.

Mallory is a very annoying and unlikeable character.

After a season of a subtly unfolding story the ending seemed very cheap and flat. Not sure what the point is going to be of season two. I tend to think it would have been better to tell a solid and convincing story in one season and leave it at that.