I Am Not Okay With This

There are a few things OK with I Am Not Okay With This, starring It's Sophia Lillis as 17-year-old Sydney, still processing her father’s death while trying to geat through high school unscathed. She reluctantly deals with an overworking mother and a smart, adorable younger brother, while figuring out her zany neighbour and actively hating on her bestie’s bully boyfriend. 

As if life weren’t tough enough already, Sydney realises there’s more to her supposedly bad temper than meets the eye: she has superpowers. A compelling opening scene à la Carrie sees our protagonist running in her formerly pristine homecoming dress, now soaked in blood. This powerful flashforward lets the audience wonder whose blood that might be for seven short, sweet and action-packed episodes. And it’s not the only nostalgic Easter egg to collect along the way — keep your eyes peeled for John Hughes references at every turn.

The show shares some DNA with hit teen series The End of the F****ing World. I Am Not Okay With This is also adapted from Charles Forsman’s comic book, while Jonathan Entwistle, who created The End of the F****ing World series, is its co-creator and director.

I Am Not Okay With This ventures into the realms of sci-fi and horror but is at its best when it portrays teenage social anxiety and heartaches regardless of its rather forgettable supernatural elements. Fresh queer representation seals the deal, together with a killer soundtrack and a couple of on-point scenes handling a confusing kiss and a bittersweet pet funeral.