Netflix subscribers are all buzzing about a fresh coming-of-age series that just launched this week.
Despite January usually being a slow month for new movies and TV shows, 2024 is changing that trend.
Netflix’s current lineup is impressive, with recent additions like Kevin Hart’s “Lift,” Daniel Levy’s directorial debut “Good Grief,” and the second season of “Break Point.”
For those passionate about television and films, there’s more to anticipate this month, including “Queer Eye” season eight, the crime drama “Griselda,” and “The Kitchen.”
But before diving into those, there’s one more series that’s catching everyone’s eye – a ‘fantastic’ story set in the 1980s in suburban Brisbane.
Take a look at the trailer below - note: it includes strong language:
The series causing a stir on social media is a seven-part limited series titled “Boy Swallows Universe,” featuring Felix Cameron in the lead role as Eli Bell.
Adapted from the semi-autobiographical book by Australian writer Trent Dalton, the series chronicles the life of 13-year-old Eli.
Eli’s life is challenging, with a stepfather involved in drug dealing and a mother struggling with addiction.
As he matures, the Queensland teenager seeks to rescue his mother, Frances (played by Phoebe Tonkin), by delving into the criminal underworld.
Netflix describes “Boy Swallows Universe” as: “A young boy growing up in the suburbs of 1980s Brisbane faces the harsh realities of life - and the looming dangers that threaten his family.”
Since its release on January 11, the audience has flooded social media with praise for the profound series.
A user on One X (previously known as Twitter) commented: “Just spent the last 7 hours crying on and off, Boy Swallows Universe was fantastic.”
Another viewer shared: “Watching Boy Swallows Universe on Netflix and loving it. Stunning acting. A fantastic story. Have you started watching it? What do you think? Congratulations to @TrentDalton.”
A third admirer expressed, “The lead kid actors in Boy Swallows Universe on Netflix absolutely crush their performances. Some heavy subject matter and they knock it out of the park.”
An enthusiastic fan posted: “I just binge-watched Boy Swallows Universe over two nights! I absolutely loved it, and I couldn’t stop watching it. I felt a range of emotions. Love, pride, fear, laughter & tears, as I could relate to some of it,” adding, “10 out of 10. Congrats to the writer, producer and fabulous cast!”
Remarkably, the admiration for the show penned by John Collee extends beyond just the viewers.
Rotten Tomatoes, a well-known review aggregator, reports an impressive average Tomatometer score of 86 percent for the series.
Additionally, on IMDb, this drama set in the suburbs boasts an average rating of 8 out of 10 stars.
For those who enjoy true stories, it’s interesting to note that Boy Swallows Universe is loosely based on author Dent’s own childhood experiences.
In an interview with the Townsville Bulletin, he shared insights about his personal life, saying, “I don’t have enough words in the book to go on about all the things my mum survived, things that other people would have succumbed to.”
“My mum went away for two years just like Frankie Bell does in the book. Everything that happened in that passage in the book with the kid wanting to see his mum is pretty close to the bone for me.”
For those intrigued by “Boy Swallows Universe,” all seven episodes are currently available for streaming on Netflix
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