We Are Who We Are

There is a warm glow and a languid mood about We Are Who We Are that makes it feel familiar for anyone who’s seen Luca Guadagnino’s works. But this eight-part series is longer than the auteur’s films (a stacked list that includes Call Me By Your Name and Bones and All), and so it can feel slow at times, dragging even. Still, it’s easy to forgive because of the relatable characters that lead the show. They’re confused, curious, and willing to bend their identities forward and back to learn something true about themselves. Nothing is set in stone here, neither gender, relationships, or politics, but that’s what makes it so validating to watch. It’s a complex picture—pretty but complex, as life often can be.

Two American kids who live on a U.S. military base in Italy explore friendship, first love, identity, and all the messy exhilaration and anguish of being a teenager.