Arcadia

This show was announced to be the most expensive Belgian show ever made (with a little help from our friends). Yet the acting is so appalling, so bad. The story is quiet alright, the actors are not unknown starting actors, so what the hell went wrong? Watching this show (in your native language - Dutch) is like watching a very poorly dubbed Spanish movie. There is no life in these characters, no emotions, no nothing.

But if you can muster the bad acting and horrible lines, please watch. Realise that that world is hopefully not our future, although we are silently moving into that direction.

And did we really need the Dutch ;-)

In Belgium the series is received with very mixed reviews, mostly because Belgian people like to complain about things, especially when it concerns something outside the comfort zone, or actually very close. And also when taxpayer's money is involved... But I haven't seen too many argumented opinions. So, I'll try to write an honest review of the series, especially aimed at those who doubt, but are open to try something new.

Although the world in which it takes place lacks some depth, the plot becomes more mysterious and gripping towards the end with a massive cliffhanger as the ultimate reward. Along the way, the series frequently tests your emotions and also inspires you to think. Despite having seen similar dystopian stories before, some social and technological parameters in this near-future world seem frighteningly close, especially at the rate where we humans allow technology to enter our lives for the benefit of convenience and luxury, no matter the potential privacy rights that are given up.

Considering it's made by Dutch and Belgian production companies, the sets, costumes and environments are impressive, and the deliberate choice for an 80s technology design only adds to the visually appealing cinematography. Maybe the choice for old fashioned looking technology is also there to make viewers feel at ease, as the use of technology based on things we use today, might scare people more easily because of its familiarity. At least now, we still have a sort of 'far away from reality'-feeling.

As the series is broadcasted in both the Netherlands and Belgium, some characters may come across as stiff because they avoid specific dialects and some might even look a bit unnatural. However, this does not detract from the icing on the cake: the outstanding performances of the main cast, especially by Lynn Van Royen, who convincingly portrays a special needs character that masterfully tugs at the viewer's heartstrings in expected and unexpected ways. Also praise for the young Dutch actress Ellie de Lange for her emotionally strong and believable performance.

One possible hurdle might be that it takes about three episodes to get into it, so give the series a chance to conquer you and be open to a daring genre that is rarely seen in the Netherlands and especially Belgium, let alone at this level of production. I am already looking forward to the second part.

The story line could have turned into a nice sci-fi but unfortunatelly besides that everything else went wrong. The acting is poor and reminds you of kids doing an act for a school-play. The environment is 'too well' thought off therefore unbelieveable. It's hard to feel any emotion because nothing seems believeable. I gave it a four because of the efforts taken but the result is more like a two. It really could have been a nice serie to watch with a bit more reality content and some humour. Now its a waiste of time and money. And also a waiste for the very few good actors like Monique. Sorry Johnnythepony, learn and get better.

Must see because it raises many questions how to act or not to act in a dictatorial regime being chosing between family or obedience to the regime. Maybe a lot of you will say " seen that already" but I already saw a lot of films on this issue though this is different and shows well the personal struggle you make in different circumstances. The setting is dark and grey adding the right sphere for this series with a good music score. Very good acting and you feel involved to each character. I'm looking forward to seeing the next season because there was also a good cliffhanger at the end of the first season.

Had low expectations going in based of of TV commercials. Remained sceptical throughout first epsiode. Set wise they've basically scraped together every even vaguely brutalist bit of architecture in a 400km radius around Antwerp, which I kinda like to be honest. Kept me wondering, is this supposed to be the future or an alternative timeline of the past? The acting is nothing to write home about, but the story is pretty fun. It's at least refreshing to see and hear a dystopian story in my native Dutch. It's not particularly original, or innovative, but it's consistent and not just cheap thrills. Someone's clearly put in the effort to match the setting, the visuals and the story without going overboard on any of them. It's kept my attention for half the season so far. Still not amazed, but be sure to give it a try, cause it might just grow on you.