When self-destructive Vivian discovers the cliffside property she’s inherited is a known suicide site, she is tasked with becoming its reluctant guardian, rescuing lost souls on the verge.
The take
Every episode of Totally Completely Fine begins with a trigger warning, and rightly so—the show's entire premise is about mental health, grief, and self-harm. Vivian, the lead (a captivating Thomasin McKenzie), is an orphan who goes on benders and ideates about killing herself. Things escalate when she inherits a cliffside house that doubles as a popular suicide spot and gains a prying (albeit good-natured) psychiatrist as a neighbor. All these elements, and a couple more, force her to confront her repressed trauma once and for all.
It sounds bleak, and it should be difficult to watch, but the show is a successful dark comedy. It strikes that rare deft balance between tragedy and comedy, highlighting painful truths with cutting humor and delivering jokes tinged with poignant insight. Vivian and her siblings are not entirely likable, but their brokenness and vulnerability make them all the more relatable, the perfect guides to hold your hand through this totally messy, completely enthralling, and finely compassionate show.
An ambitious mini-series that succeeds in adapting the classic magic realist novel
8.0
Ethos
A level of attention to aesthetics usually reserved for the most elaborate films, mixed with a complex and relevant story, make this series from Turkey unmatched in its quality
9.9
The Sticky
Margo Martindale stands out in this true-story-based Canadian maple syrup heist
7.1
Black Doves
A tale of espionage, romance, and friendship all tied in a neat bow, just in time for Christmas
8.1
Caliphate
A psychological thriller that provides insight on what drove so many young people to ISIS.
8.9
Say Nothing
A powerful take on the Northern Ireland conflict that smartly shows all sides
8.5
Occupied
Norway's most expensive show ever is a timely thrill ride with a grim geopolitical premise.
8.7
Pretend it’s a City
A wildly entertaining series of interviews with a New York legend
9.2
Unorthodox
A well-acted fact-based thriller about untangling the grip of a close-knit community
8.5
Escape at Dannemora
Based on a true prison escape story, this slow-burn suspense thriller features once-in-a-lifetime performances by a star-studded cast