The All-Black Sci-Fi series Supacell, created by Rapman, arrived on Netflix on June 27, 2024. Despite its low IMDB rating, viewers worldwide have praised the show.
The series is one of a kind, packed with a star-studded cast that is all Black: Tosin Cole, Josh Tedeku, Eddie Marsan, and Sabrina Clark.
Highlights
- The first five episodes of the series Supacell are named after each Supa hero to know their story individually.
- The compelling superpower series has ranked second in the streamer’s list in the U.S.
- Rapman, the writer and director of Supacell, is labeled the first Black filmmaker to write and produce an original series on the platform.
Supacell is a gripping tale about Black Londoners with superpowers. A group of normal Black people gains superpowers overnight with no particular reason or connection to each other.
Yes, you read it right. The series includes five Black superheroes, not just one Black hero!
The story unfolds in the streets of South London when the Supas meet and move toward one common goal: protecting their loved ones.
Also, like every other superhero movie, this series highlights the efforts made to avoid confinement and manipulation by heartless secret agents who eye their powers like hawks.
So, how far can the five escape from the traps of the secret organization? Are they against the world, or do they save it by combining all of their powers?
Disclaimer: This review is based on a viewer’s perspective and does not represent any official endorsement or critique.
Supacell Review: Positive Comments At Majority Overlook The Negative Remark
Supacell (2024)
A group of individuals in South London discover newfound superpowers, each grappling with their implications. One man unites them to safeguard his loved one while evading formidable adversaries on the way.
Genres
Adventure Drama Action| Release Date | June 27, 2024 |
| Casts | Nadine Mills Eric Kofi Abrefa Tosin Cole |
| Writer | Rapman |
| Directors | Rapman Sebastian Thiel |
The supernatural miniseries has received a 100% Tomatometer score and an 81% Audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
One of the Top critics wrote,
Does it work? Yes. The whole thing hangs together, thanks to the engaging cast (almost all of them are fresh faces), and the well-executed action sequences.
Another Top critic commented on how the series utilized the power element. She penned,
They didn’t choose their powers — or to save the day — but when a show is this much fun it’s extremely good news that their powers chose them.
Likewise, 12 out of 12 reviews from critics are positive, emphasizing the lack of authenticity. However, none of them criticized the series, which is entirely a green light.
The audience’s comments revealed mixed perspectives; some compared the series to parody, pinpointing its hilarious aspect, while others found it to be an unexpected blast.
Hollywood Reporter’s Daniel Fienberg says the series has potential despite its shortcomings. He mentioned,
Supacell has the specificity to be a great superhero drama if its actual superhero trappings weren’t so average.
Despite its low rating on IMDB (6.6/10), viewers have loved the first season and highly recommended it, stating that it obviously deserves a chance.
One of the reviewers highlighted that although the concept is not entirely original, the characters are so well-written that it radiates fresh vibes and compels you to watch the series with a whole new perspective.
Others noted its potential of being binge-worthy, which hasn’t overdone the superpower factor and blends efficiently with the storyline.
However, some of the Redditors are on the other side of the fence. They have criticized the show for not being imaginative and deep enough.
Nonetheless, the positive remarks were in the majority compared to the negative ones, and most of the audience was impressed by the diversity it introduced in the superhero premise.
Netflix’s Supacell Season 1 Stands Out Despite The Repetitive Elements
After learning about the synopsis, I was quite excited to watch the series, as I am a huge fan of superhero-themed movies and shows.
It had been some time since a show in the supernatural genre had activated my happy hormones, and this happened to be the one.
As anticipated, the actors did an amazing job, justifying the characters while bracing the plot to its core.
I agree that the familiarity hit after each episode, but how the story was told, connecting each and every character in the line—trust me, it felt like I was in a different realm, experiencing new things.
Thus, I truly admire Rapman’s storytelling approach, which serves the same dish with a different flavor.
The first episode started slowly, giving us time to understand the premise. This was good because we could create an image of each character before they gained superpowers.
After discovering their superpowers, Black Londoners start seeking ways to live a normal life instead of making the most of their powers.
Yes, each superpower was not excavated to its depth; it pretty much remained on the first page in the entire six-episode series, which was the best part.
Otherwise, elements would have been overloaded, diverting attention from the central gist of the story.
Supacell Breaks Barriers Of White Supremacy And Confronts Diversity
The representation of cultural and economic diversity won my heart.
The plot introduced British Blacks from different backgrounds, from low-income to middle-income, with some enriched in African roots and others rooted in biracial backgrounds.
From the first episode’s opening, a mysterious lab facility is shown, where all the confined patients are black while everyone with powers, either inside the facility or outside, is white.
Although I’m not a racist, I felt that it was an amazing response to the White supremacy in Hollywood that had become a stereotype over the decades.
However, despite its potential, it is not the best compared to Hulu’s Heroes and Extraordinary.
Nonetheless, it was engaging enough, and I personally loved the last episode, in which the mystery behind the origin of heroes’ powers and identities was logically uncovered.
So, if you love the twist of supernatural powers, I definitely recommend you give it a go, but not with heaps of expectations.
The series has not yet been renewed for a sequel, but the conclusion of the first season did hint at the possibility of a second season as if Victoria (the antagonist’s boss)’s final statement was provoking a new beginning.
Sabrina Clarke Embraces Telekinesis As Nadine Mills: Development Into A Faithful Hero
Sabrina plays Nadine Mills, a nurse at NHS who lives a completely normal life.
One day, she wakes up with the power of telekinesis; she can move objects through her mind without touching them. This discovery turns life upside down.
The series depicts Sabrina’s transformative journey from uncertainty to empowerment and triumph over her fears.
I personally loved the character development and growth she demonstrated throughout the episodes as a strong, unshakable woman who can make her way out of the obstacles bestowed upon her.
After learning about her ability, Sabrina initially grapples with disbelief and uncertainty, struggling to comprehend the extent and implications of her newfound power.
This phase is characterized by moments of fear and hesitation as she assumes the power to be a curse.
She begins experimenting with her powers, testing their limits and learning how to harness them effectively. Thus, she discovers that they have both positive and negative sides.
With time, Nadine learns to control her emotions better and develops mind control, bolstering her self-confidence as she embraces her real self.
As the story progresses, we witness her strength and how she employs her power for a good cause: protecting her loved ones.
Watching a female hero smashing the villain’s vigor has always been my forte, and every time Nadine appeared on screen with her calm but shattering power, I wanted to blow a whistle from my seat.
I believe Sabrina did a great job, giving us the space and time for Nadine to grow on us, and eventually, she succeeded.
Sabrina’s portrayal has created a new standard for female superheroes, and I look forward to seeing her in similar roles in the future.
