Love Sucks

The storyline and the setting at a fair in Frankfurt a. M. is quite interesting, and there are some scenes that are refreshingly innovative e.g. The first encounter of the lovers in the boxing ring and the final kiss on the Ferris wheel. Unfortunately the storytelling is uneven and partially a bit slow and boring, while some of the scenes and dialogues feel strange. Concerning camera and lighting, I experience some issues that make the series less enjoyable. Sometimes quite awkward camera angles are chosen. The shaky camera makes sense in some, but far from all scenes in which this technique is applied. The biggest problem however is the lighting. The events during the techno party in the beginning are almost indiscernible due to the all too frequent flashes and the darkness in between. As this is a vampire series many scenes take place in the night and thus in darkness. However, these scenes would have needed proper lighting. The facial expressions of the actors are literally invisible in many scenes, which is a pity as the great and talented cast of this series is its major benefit.

I'm into the 4th episode and am struggling to make it to the end. There are too many scenes where only music is playing and those few scenes with dialogue feel strange and not natural. As a viewer, I couldn't understand how the two protagonists ended up loving each other as there was no build-up in their relationship. The pace and the way how they somehow magically fell in love is not convincing and, therefore, I couldn't emphasize with any of them. The character of Zelda is less likeable and reminds me of an angry teen that is stoically fighting against anything and anyone crossing her way. Her behavior in many scenes is out of place and overacted. All in all, I find the acting quite irksome and the general atmosphere of this series dull and bland. I wouldn't watch it another round as the script lacks fantasy and a convincing plot. German storytelling has to strip off the neverending slackness and apply more originality on their character, dialogues, scenes, and the story all in all.

I'll start my review with the highlights of the series: the cinematography is excellent and high quality, and the color scheme recreates a modern atmosphere with cyberpunk tones that really enhance the mood. The score that accompanies each episode is very well done.

Although the performances are good, and I actually watched it because of Damian Hardung, I was pleasantly surprised by Rick Okon (Theo). Wow, what a presence he has! I even feel like he steals the show from Damian, and that's saying a lot. Still, the cast is very good.

The problems come with the lack of character development and the rather weak storytelling. Although the story has visual potential, the script is poor and does not allow the cast to develop their full potential.

Throughout the story, we find forced situations such as the immediate infatuation between Ben and Zelda. Although it wants to remind us of Romeo and Juliet, it is not very believable and does not allow us to connect with the main love story.

I also found some scenes a bit cringe-worthy, such as the kiss between Ben and his elderly ex-girlfriend, as well as the conversation she has with Zelda about her past relationship with Ben, decades ago. Super cringe, sorry.

The final plot is unconvincing. I hope they don't make a new season; it could only get worse.

The potential is there but the female lead is completely miscast and drags the quality down. She has neither the acting chops nor charisma to pull off such a flawed character and looks like a 40 year old pretending to be 20 years younger than she is. The male lead on the other hand is convincing expressing the struggles of immortality without being a boring, brooding vampire sucker that sparkles and you want to slap senseless. The moody cinematography and electronic music works great. I think with tighther editing, a different female main lead and better marketing this would have been an international hit.

Great actors and cool, elaborate production, great locations and an interesting interpretation of the vampire theme. If it weren't for the poorly made splatter movie scenes, the series would be even better. And if it were, then it needs to be done better. The last scene of the 8-parter, for example. Less would have been more. I really like the flashbacks to past centuries.

Nevertheless, I really enjoyed the series. Especially because of Ben's extremely cool brother, Theo von Greifenstein. But the little sister, the mother of the Greifenstein family and Zelda's family are also very well portrayed.

I would be very happy about a sequel.