Drenge

Well this is certainly for those who have a short attention span. And it seems firmly aimed at a young audience with its episodes of 25 minutes. I'm not such a fuddy-duddy that this alone would disqualify the series for me - after all I loved Elite and Control Z. But this wasn't fun in any way at all. The storyline presented here makes it look like some sort of profound progression of a rite of passage but the reality is far more mundane.

Additionally Sylvester Byder playing the main character of Robin looks just too pretty and nice to be a hardened jailbird and fighter. He is not convincing at all in his part.

A plotline that has a clandestine group of kids branding members is simply not plausible. What? Not one mum noticed? Not one teacher saw the brands in the showers or during sports? No peeping priest saw these choirboys' mutilations? Not a spoiler by the way - this is in the first scene.

Other characters were over-the-top. Dar Selim playing Nicolaj's dad was a case in point.

I got to partway through the second episode and gave up. There are far better things to see.

I'm a huge fan of Jonas Risvig's previous work, and DRENGE might be his best work till date.

DRENGE is a fantastic TV series that is both captivating and thought-provoking. The series delves into the complexities of friendship, identity, and coming of age in a unique and powerful way.

The story of DRENGE is set in a Danish church located in a rural area and centers around a group of ten young adolescent choir boys. They come together not only to fill the empty congregation but also to find a sense of community that they cannot find elsewhere. Over time, the group forms a strong bond with each other and continue to meet even after the church bells stop ringing. During these meetings, they challenge themselves and confront their inner demons as they struggle to find a balance between self-healing and self-destructive behavior. The brotherhood remains a permanent part of them, solidified by the burn mark that each member gets branded on their arms, adding a layer of symbolism to their bond.

The series delves into themes of forbidden desires and escaping reality as the boys navigate the complexities of youth and sexuality. The death of one of the boys in a mysterious drowning accident and the arrival of a new member tests their loyalty and unity, forcing them to make a choice between remaining boys or becoming men.

Jonas Risvig is a talented and visionary director known for his ability to create powerful and impactful stories that resonate with young adults. His work consistently showcases a deep understanding of the complexities of youth and the struggles that come with growing up. He has a unique ability to capture the raw emotions and experiences of his characters, making them relatable and authentic. He has a great ability to tell the stories of young adults with a delicate touch, making them relatable to the viewers. Risvig's work demonstrates a clear understanding of the struggles and triumphs that young adults face, making his content both powerful and impactful.

With superb acting and a well-written story, DRENGE is a must-watch for fans of Risvig. The series deals with sensitive topics with authenticity and raw emotions. Highly recommend!

Viktor Hjelmsø delivers a standout performance in his first acting role in BOYS as the character of Nikolaj. He masterfully portrays the complexity and depth of the character, a charismatic, extraverted and deeply damaged leader of the lodge, who carries a terrible secret. His portrayal of Nikolaj is both powerful and nuanced, capturing the character's struggles and emotions with great sensitivity and authenticity. He is able to convey the character's inner turmoil and the weight of his secret with a subtlety that makes his performance all the more impactful.

Sylvester Byder, on the other hand, delivers a powerful and nuanced performance in the role of Robin in the series Drenge (Boys). With more acting experience compared to the rest of the cast, Byder brings a level of depth and authenticity to the character that is truly impressive. He portrays Robin as a charismatic and driven individual who is determined to make the most of his time in the choir, but also struggles with personal demons and self-destructive tendencies. Byder's portrayal of Robin is both relatable and authentic, capturing the character's struggles and emotions with great sensitivity and nuance. He also has a great chemistry with the other characters, especially with Nikolaj, making their interactions on screen electric and captivating to watch.

Both Robin and Nikolaj are expertly acted, and their performances add depth and nuance to the series. Their chemistry together on screen is electric and make them a great duo to watch. Their story arcs are both compelling and relatable, making them stand-out characters in the series. Big fan of their work together here!