What it’s like being at the “End of the F**king World” (Sample, April 2018)

The United States loves to use stuff made famous by the British. However, while things like the English language and the ATM machine are arguably among the top British developments that Americans use and love, television series “End of the F**king World” is in the running to be considered one of the most beloved English imports. 

Based on the graphic novel series of the same name, “End of the F**king World” is a dark comedy that follows teens James (Alex Lawther, “Black Mirror”) and Alyssa (Jessica Barden, “Penny Dreadful”) as their road trip across England turns fatal. The show has been praised for the musical score, the writing and the well-developed characters of the show’s two protagonists, James and Alyssa.

17-year-old James is a self-diagnosed psychopath who becomes fixated on death after his mother passes away. He details his journey with this fixation, including how he’s killed small animals and stuck his hand into a fryer just so he could feel something. James’ interest in murder is piqued when he meets new student Alyssa; upon meeting her, he decides she is the next thing he’d like to kill. She decides they should be in a relationship.

As the show continues, it’s revealed that both Alyssa and James’ issues stem from their experiences in broken homes. James mother killed herself in front of him when he was 11, and Alyssa’s stepfather seems intent on removing Alyssa from his and her mother’s lives. Alyssa and James skip town at the end of the first episode after James punches his father and steals his car. Once on the road, the pair endures multiple sexual assault attempts, blackmail, car accidents and murder. 

Written by Charlie Covell and directed by Jonathan Entwistle, the series is short, bingeable and addictive. With a reported 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a confirmed second season in the works, “End of the F**king World” has attracted a cult following and garnered immense critical success that doesn’t seem to be slowing anytime soon. 

“End of the F**king World” is now streaming on Netflix.