Exploring the Themes in the Teen Series 'Gum'

The Teen Series "Gum:" A Reboot of a Genre or a Collection of Clichés?

The Russian teen series "Gum" (2024), recently launched on the Premier platform, claims to be a groundbreaking endeavor in the realm of adolescent cinema. The online streaming service has publicly announced its ambition for the show to serve as a pivotal starting point for revitalizing the genre of youth-oriented series. However, audience reactions and critiques reveal some glaring issues, ranging from a formulaic plot to a questionable approach toward complex themes. Let’s delve into what draws viewers in and what sends them running for the hills.

Plot: Love, Stalking, and Tragedies

At the heart of the narrative is Galya Shalamova (Daria Balabanova), a young girl hailing from a Moscow suburb orphanage who nurtures dreams of enrolling in VGIK and becoming a screenwriter. Her life is riddled with tumultuous events: an abusive relationship with her boyfriend Kirill (Anton Artemyev), her mother's impending release from prison (Yulia Volkova), and a glaring lack of emotional support or genuine connection.

Galya inadvertently stumbles upon the stream of a popular blogger named Roma (Anton Rogachev), who operates under the alias Hans Schmuze. This affluent young man embodies everything Galya has never known: freedom, joy, and a carefree lifestyle. Falling head over heels for Roma, she begins weaving naive fantasies about a blissful future together.

What starts as a romantic encounter evolves into a one-sided obsession. Galya finds herself fabricating stories about her life to impress Roma, who perceives their relationship as nothing more than a frivolous fling. A pivotal moment occurs when Roma stages his own death as a prank, sparking tragic events. Believing her beloved to be dead, Galya resolves to track down and confront his supposed