If you're feeling down right now, do yourself a favor and watch this trailer for Julie and the Phantoms, Netflix's newest teen series. Then, once you've done that, go ahead and watch the show. It's even crazier than it sounds.
Now here's the thing, I love this show. I literally binged the whole season twice in like a few days, and I managed to talk my mother and a few of my friends into watching it just because I love it that much. It is one of the few Netflix shows to come out recently that actually makes me feel good about the world (you know, despite the global pandemic).
For a brief synopsis of what the show is about, I will provide you with a screenshot of an actual conversation that I had with one of my friends while I was trying to convince them to watch it. Behold:
If that wasn't enough to convince you, allow me to break this down even further.
Brazilian TV show, Julie and the Phantoms (translated from Portuguese)
Julie and the Phantoms is a new Netflix show about a sixteen year old girl named Julie, who forms a band with a group of boys who died in the mid 1990s. If that sounds ridiculous, you'd be right, but it's also not incredibly original. This show was based on a Brazilian TV show of the same name that came out in the early 2010s. While the original show only lasted for one season, the concept was basically the same with some minor changes. However, this newer, updated version has the potential to turn into an international Netflix hit because of its overall appeal.
Allow me to convince you as to why you should watch this show and join my Julie and the Phantoms fan club.
(NO SPOILERS!)
Category 1: Plot- A+
After I watched this show the first time, I wanted to share it with as many people as possible, but I found myself having a hard time explaining the plot to them. I tried to explain it to my mom, but she didn't understand why I was so hyped about this show about three dead guys performing in a band with a living girl. She didn't understand it, because when presented with just that, the plot sounds crazy.
This is definitely one of those shows that you have to watch to understand why it's so beloved, but it's worth it, I promise you.
Here is the best way that I can simplify the plot without spoiling anything in the show: Julie is a sixteen year old girl who just lost her mother, along with her love of music. After playing an old CD from the 1990s, Julie is brought together with the ghosts of a 90's boy band, and together they become a hit singing group that helps her regain her confidence.
It sounds wholesome, but it's definitely got a lot more heart than most other Disney Channel shows out there nowadays. If Disney wanted to be even a little more controversial and include deeper themes of loss and found family on their network, this would be the show for them, honestly.
Category 2: Characters- A
Without getting into too many spoilers, you should just know that there are three main ghost characters, and they each have their own loveable personality that helps bring life (ha!) back to the show. Julie's character interacts with each of them in a way that feels authentic, and they each play off of each other really well. The three band mates are Reggie, Alex, and Luke, and they each have their own baggage that they have to deal with in the wake of their death. Having these three characters around helps to strengthen not only the emotional moments of the show, but also they help to boost the comedic moments as well.
Obviously Julie herself is a relatable main character with good intentions and real struggles. She helps to ground the show in reality and to act as a stand-in for the audience that has no idea what is going on at first.
Then there are the secondary characters like the traditional mean girl and the mandatory best friend. Even these characters were enjoyable to have around because while they were expected, the show was fresh enough that the tropes and archetypes didn't feel stale. (Although sometimes her best friend kind of annoyed me, to be honest- but I digress.)
Overall, all of the primary and secondary characters in the show worked hard to make this show feel as authentic as possible while also letting everyone be a little silly. The casting really worked well, because everyone seems like they fit their roles perfectly.
From left to right: Reggie (Jeremy Shada), Alex (Owen Joyner), Julie (Madison Reyes) and Luke (Charlie Gillespie)
Category 3: Music- A
If you grew up with Hannah Montana, Camp Rock, and Victorious like I did, there is really no excuse for you not to watch this show. This show is the spiritual successor of all three of those combined. The music in this show SLAPS. HARD.
It's better than your average teen musical, and I'm willing to bet that it has something to do with the fact that Kenny Ortega was involved. He directed a few episodes of the show and also acted as an executive producer over the series. If you know anything about Kenny Ortega's career with children's entertainment, you would know that he has an eye for talent and good music. The man directed all three High School Musical movies, The Cheetah Girls 2, and also all of the Descendants movies. He's got a gift, and so I was not surprised when I discovered that this show feels so similar to some of his earlier projects.
Each episode of the series is about 35 minutes long, and in that time frame they manage to cram in 2-3 songs, each performed by the main cast. Madison Reyes (Julie) truly has some pipes on her, which is clear from the first episode, and all of the boys are incredibly talented. I wouldn't be surprised if they did a Camp Rock/ High School Musical type tour where they made the cast perform around the country once this pandemic is over, because each song is so good, and so memorable.
Perhaps the most impressive part is that the song "Perfect Harmony" performed on the show by Luke (Charlie Gillespie) and Julie (Madison Reyes) was actually written by the two of them while they were filming. Everyone on this show is so multitalented that it's insane.
I guess what I'm trying to say is: stream the Julie and the Phantoms soundtrack on Spotify. It's good.
Category 4: Diversity- B
One thing that this show has going for it is that one of the main characters is gay, and it's openly discussed in like the second episode of the series. I was surprised to see a show geared towards younger audiences so open about the fact that one of the characters was gay, but JATP managed to make it into a part of the story without shoe-horning in a message or tokenizing him. He was just a normal character who happened to be gay. (This is another reason why I felt like this show wouldn't air on the Disney Channel.)
Also Julie and her family are all Latinx. Her father, brother, and aunt appear throughout the show, and they remind the audience of Julie's home life. I thought it was neat of them to cast a Latinx family and a Latinx main character, especially since the original show took place in a Latinx country, Brazil.
Category 5: Costume Design- A
This is a category just for me, but I have to admit that watching this show I was a little jealous of all of the outfits that Julie and her friends were wearing. I remember thinking that all of their outfits were styled impeccably, and everyone looked cute as hell. If I was in high school, I think I would be lowkey jealous of all of the fun outfits that everyone got to wear, including the boys. I just thought that everyone looked really good in the show, in no small part due to costuming and fashion design.
Screenshots of the original costume designs for Julie and the Phantoms alongside the finished outfits (Courtesy of @Soyonan on Instagram)
Category 6: Family Friendliness- A
I'll be honest: When I watched this show the second time, I watched it with my mom. She was curious about why I was so into this kid's show, and so I made her watch it with me. When it was over, even she had to admit that the show is good and worth the hype that I gave it. It's a real feel good type of show, which is something we all need right now. It also has something for everybody: high school drama, death, romance, comedy, music... I could go on, but I think you get the point. It's the perfect show to watch with your preteen sister, or even (in my case) your adult mother.
I think this show has universal appeal. The characters have relatable stories, and they're able to tell them while still being lighthearted enough for children and adults to enjoy.
Overall, I give Julie and the Phantoms a 10/10 (or an A) for being such a mood booster in these dark times. After watching it the first time, I was excited in a way that only happens when you know you've watched something spectacular. I felt that way after watching Hamilton for the first time, and I felt it again after watching this.
I really hope that this show gets a season two, because after sharing it with my mother and a couple of friends, it's safe to say that we all have our theories on how a second season could possibly top the first.
If you haven't seen it already, I recommend you give it a shot. It's worth the time, and it's definitely worth the emotional investment.
Thanks for reading, everyone. Stay safe, and stream Julie and the Phantoms on Netflix so that we can all fan-girl together.