How ‘1899’ Saved Netflix’s Very Bad Year in TV

At the Primetime Emmys in September, Netflix had a smash hit in 2021 Squid game He made history when he won the Lead Actor Award and Directing Drama Awards. In their respective categories, Lee Jung-jae and Hwang Dong-hyuk became the first ever Asian winners, original Korean winners, and first non-English series winners. This means that Netflix finally had something to celebrate in a year defined by the backlash caused by cancellations, layoffs, and bad reviews for its biggest shows — not to mention bleeding subscriber numbers.

Squid game Far from being an anomaly in Netflix’s collection of international songs that aren’t in English. Follow popular shows like thermosAnd the Stealing moneyAnd the NarcosAnd the darkAnd the elite. The streaming device is available worldwide, so it only makes sense that viewers would want to watch titles from different markets, regardless of language or setting. in 2015, Washington Post He declared that “Netflix is ​​tricking audiences into adopting subtitles” thanks to shows like Narcos. (A choice of wording that now seems decidedly inelegant.)

Seven years later, the number of non-English series on the broadcaster continues to rise. A recent report by Whip Media states that 38 percent of new Netflix shows in development are in a language other than English. naturally Squid game Rarely is a success story a success, even more so when the series is not based on an existing IP. However, it is worth noting that Netflix continues to thrive in this sector and is still pouring money into great productions like German series 1899which was released last month.

on condition 1899 It topped the list of most-watched shows on Netflix in the weeks since it premiered, and it’s clear that the views demand more global content, too.

One of the best non-English language shows of the past few years (on any platform) is Brain Wrinkle darkAnd here’s why 1899Next bending adventure from dark Creators Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friese have become such an event. And this time around, there’s a turnaround for one of Netflix’s brightest and most attractive assets: the international cast.

1899 Last month sailed to strong reviews. (Not to be confused with growth Yellowstone The prequel universe takes their titles from the year in which they are set.)

The series takes place aboard the immigrant steamer Kerberos, which is sailing to the United States from Europe. Instead of an all-German cast, the showrunners put together an ensemble that reflects the range of nationalities that would immigrate to New York City at the turn of the 20th century. Not everyone speaks English, as anyone has seen Titanic (Or even starring Ronan Sawiris brooklyn) He knows that the class divide leaves plenty of room for conflict, romance, and the crossed wires.

Everyone on the ship (or at least the people with a speaking role) run from it Something, making the transatlantic journey full of fear and hope. Well, that is until it all goes to crap, and goes straight into sanity territory. Honestly, I would have watched this show even without the supernatural events turning this from a typical historical drama into a sci-fi mystery. Hidden affairs, identities, and murders are just a handful of the secrets that threaten to turn this ship into a powder keg.

The show is set more than a decade before the Titanic made its fateful maiden voyage, so icebergs aren’t a concern. Instead, the lost steamship Prometheus provides a cautionary tale of what might go wrong. So when the ship reappears with no one on board but a spooky kid, the mood is far from festive. Throw inexplicable deaths and strange devices into the mix, and feelings get even more strained.

The narrative is intentionally confusing at times; At one point, the excited captain said wittily, “None of this makes sense.” As a fan of darkPuzzle-box detailing and heavy existential conversation were an expectation – and again, let me put my Bachelor’s philosophy to good use. Newcomers may find it difficult to untangle the different threads at first. However, it’s not all unfamiliar territory, eg 1899 Directors Lucy Bevan and Emily Brockmann have put together a group of familiar faces that fans of other Netflix titles will recognize.

In some ways, this cast is like an all-star cast on a reality competition series. Instead, they are cast from a handful of Netflix titles, including eliteAnd the dark, castle, elite, Poor disguiseAnd the the magicianAnd the the crownAnd the Anatomy of a Scandal. If you watch 1899 And don’t say, “Hey! It’s that guy from that thing!” Five times at least, you’re clearly not watching enough TV.

I spent half the first episode wondering where I know Krester (Lucas Lynggaard Tønnesen) from. (The answer is the castle, To save you from searching for it.) Actor Miguel Bernardo was immediately recognized as one of the murderous teens from the Spanish soap opera elite Get me into whatever country his personality is from before he even opens his mouth.

Getting that level of recognition while the story’s more confusing elements are unfolding is an anchor in this uneasy sea. Nine languages ​​are spoken: English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Cantonese, Japanese, Polish, French, and Danish. Meanwhile, Fear and Love sway equally and bridge the spoken divide. This is the common experience that 1899 Whether it is passengers or the public at home.

Refusing to downplay linguistic diversity is an effective way to increase the tension between the characters. Yes, the audience knows what is being said when Christer bursts into the lavish first-class dining room, begging for a doctor. However, other diners have to read between the lines as to why he needs a medical professional. The confusion lies in this story, and the inability to communicate with words when the boat becomes unsafe is an additional barrier to circumvent.

Common language instantly brings characters together when fear leads to irrational anger. However, some find common ground despite a lack of verbal understanding. Escalating situations increase the likelihood of romance, and 1899 It doesn’t lack a corneal section either. After all, love has its own language, and their tumultuous chemistry needs no translation.

In the past, Nordic Noir songs like a crime (the kill) And the Bron / Bruin (the bridge) It drew audiences and spawned international remakes, but those releases weren’t quite in the scope of Netflix’s operation. A recent report said how many hours people spent watching series on Netflix 1899 Recorded 87.9 million watch hours – before the crown And he sits behind the juggernaut Wednesday.

It is also worth noting, unlike Tim Burton Adams family Adventure, The British Royal Family in theatrical (and now documentary) form, and Evan Peters starring Dahmer – The Beast: The Jeffrey Dahmer StoryAnd the 1899 It is the only native address among all this IP address.

1899 don’t Squid game numbers, but it’s helping Netflix right its ship after it hits rough waters in 2022. In a bad year for the platform — not just in terms of business, but with many of its English-language sequels badly slammed for bad reviews — the language series that can turn around the ship.