Netflix’s Everything Now, a new addition to the realm of teenage shows, brings forth a refreshing perspective. With its frank and funny approach, the series delves into the life of Mia Polanco, a teenager recovering from an eating disorder. While Everything Now may fall under the same genre as popular shows like Never Have I Ever, Sex Education, and Atypical, it manages to differentiate itself with its layered storytelling.
The story revolves around 16-year-old Mia, who has spent the last seven months in a hospital while battling anorexia. Eager to return home and reunite with her friends Becca, Cameron, and Will, Mia expects to face the challenges of acquainting herself with the normalcy she once knew. However, she quickly discovers that her definition of “normal” has drastically changed during her absence. Her friends have grown, experienced new things, and moved forward, leaving Mia feeling out of place and ill-equipped to fit back into their social circle.
To bridge this gap, Mia creates a bucket list of activities she believes will help her catch up to her friends. From attending parties and breaking the law to learning to drive, Mia strives to accomplish it all in one night at a house party. Unfortunately, her recklessness lands her back in the hospital. The rest of the series follows Mia as she navigates her journey to reestablish a sense of normalcy, exploring her own limits along the way. Throughout her recovery, the show skillfully intertwines these teenage conundrums with Mia’s personal growth.
One notable aspect of Everything Now is its use of voiceovers to convey the characters’ thoughts and emotions. Through inner monologues, viewers gain insight into Mia’s confusion, doubts, and sorrows. Her internal voice becomes a tool for self-expression, allowing her to communicate what she struggles to articulate to others. This creative approach adds depth to each episode and scene. Although initial episodes rely heavily on voiceovers for exposition, the writers strike a balance, using it to illustrate Mia’s progress. Actress Sophie Wilde delivers a phenomenal performance, capturing Mia’s subtle cues as she tries to maintain a facade of normalcy.
Despite being a relatively short series with eight episodes, Everything Now effectively utilizes its time by giving due attention not only to Mia’s character but also to the lives of other individuals in her circle. The narrative arcs of Mia’s family and friends stem from their care and concern for her, ultimately allowing each character to flourish in their own right.
While there are some subplots that could have been better integrated into the storyline, and the voiceovers could have been enhanced with more creativity, Everything Now still emerges as a winner. It may not break new ground in terms of its observation, but it proves to be deeply personal when it needs to be.