Boy Swallows Universe

1985 in Australia under the Queensland blistering sun and a suburb forgotten by prosperity, as young Eli Bell navigates the game of survival in a dysfunctional family that falls prey to the seedy underbelly of crime and police corruption. Sounds like a bleak crime thriller, but the characters make it a joy to watch.

From Lyle Orlik embodied by Travis Fimmel (best performance since Vikings), to Bryon Brown as the wise elder, and even Simon Baker as the drunken father, these are absolute true Australian larrikins of a bygone era.

But this series would not have worked if wasn't for Felix Cameron, very impressive as Eli, and it is this standout performance that is pivotal to the whole series coming together for this dark surreal thriller that dishes out bogan-ocker philosophy in all its funny wisdom...

It warmed my heart. It reminded me at the time when people were not so obsessed by external package. Human interaction, care, connection of pre-internet time that we will very soon celebrate in museums only.

I already have scenes and quotes that will forever stay inside of me. The cast is amazing, the story is told in a authentic, warm way, and with all the variety of it - this is the story about LOVE.

Love of brothers, friends, family, and what blows me completely and what I have been missing is this enthusiasm and initiative of people of -80.ties that I don't see in new kids anymore.

I can't say more without spoiling it but I want to congratulate to all the participants in this series, to thank them, and recommend this from the bottom of my heart to everyone.

At the beginning, I had no high expectations - but it was unbelievably good! Truly a series for binge-watching. Initially, you think, okay, another gangster series about drugs and gangs, but that's not the case.

The story is incredibly diverse, containing elements of action, mystery, drama, thriller, love, and yet it doesn't feel overloaded or dull. The series has depth. Additionally, the characters, the story, the acting performance = terrific.

I think it gets even more exciting and complex towards the middle, and there's a twist in the story that you don't expect.

Please watch it - it's so worth it.

I needed a new series to warm me up during our literal arctic blast, so an Aussie one seemed a good idea. It was BRILLIANT!

As an American, I am well acquainted with Brian Brown, Anthony LaPaglia, Simon Baker, and the always incomparable Deborah Mailman. The other cast members, while new to me, will be ones that I will be on the look-out for from now on. The young Eli reminded me of a young Heath Ledger and made me smile - a lot - as did his brother Gus. OMG!!

I truly wish I had read the book before seeing the series. As usual, some scenes need a suspension of belief. The things I would have missed in the book are the paintings we were treated to in this. Outstanding! Beyond creative. And something that drew me into the story even more.

This series is "feel good" all the way around, with some violence here and there. Not always deserved, but that's life isn't it?

I hope you enjoy this series half as much as I did!! If you're a reader, I'd recommend you read the book first!!

Thank you, Australia!

"Boy Swallows Universe" is like a warm embrace from the pages of its beloved book, effortlessly translating the magic to the screen. Honestly, I usually don't get all emotional watching book adaptations, but this one just hit differently. It's like they reached into my imagination and pulled out exactly what I pictured when I read it - surreal and incredible.

For us Aussies, it's a bit like time travel. The show whisks you back to 1980s Brisbane, where the struggles depicted feel more like memories than fiction. To those who claim it misrepresents the era, well, maybe they didn't have the same experiences. Try telling a Queensland cop your problems back then and see how that goes.

Now, let's talk about the cast - stellar doesn't even cover it. Felix Cameron's waterworks had me reaching for the tissues every time. And Phoebe Tonkin, man, I've been a fan since her "H2O: Just Add Water" days. Throw in Travis Fimmel, Simon Baker, and Bryan Brown - it's like an Aussie acting dream team.

In a nutshell, "Boy Swallows Universe" isn't just a show; it's a journey back in time, a rollercoaster of emotions, and a celebration of Aussie talent. If you're up for a wild, heart-tugging ride, this one's a must-watch.