Hot Skull is a drama series about a lone man immune to a global epidemic in a dystopian world and how he tries to survive while being pursued by an authoritarian government trying to keep its power. The series is streaming on Netflix.
Story
The world has been crippled by a disease called ARDS where people infected spout nonsense and cannot seem to stop themselves. The disease is also called the jabbering and has existed for 8 years.
Murat Siyavus is a linguist who happens to be the only person immune to the disease. Murat just wants to live a normal life but is forced into action because of his unique condition. He has to stand for something good and fight back against authority.
AEI is the organization that has taken control in this turbulent time and they want to keep things that way so they’re not keen any kind of cure being found and are constantly showing their authoritarian ways.
Sule is part of a rebel group called Plus 1 that is trying to fight back against the AEI in non-violent ways and prove that they’re not really the trusted organization that they claim to be.
In a world filled with chaos and people looking out for themselves, Murat must decide whether to be selfish or do something noble for humanity.
Performances
Osman Sonant plays Murat, the main attraction and the sole hope for humanity in this series. He’s insanely clever but has a pessimistic and cautious attitude for most of the time and Sonant plays the role with an understated elegance.
Şevket Çoruh as the family man, Anton goes from government officer to willing rebel and Çoruh depicts that journey and the desperation of a man who wants nothing more than to keep his family safe, perfectly.
Hazal Subaşı is Sule, Murat’s love interest and the de-facto leader of Plus 1. Subaşı is good as the reasonable and respectable leader but her chemistry with Sonant is what stands out.
Kubilay Tunçer is great as the villainous Fazil. He gets the right amount of frustration and rage whenever he’s being played by Murat but he also shows a more ruthless side at times.
There are several other cast members who add in their own flair including Arda Anarat as Arif who’s sacrifice serves as catalyst for hope amongst the people.
Positives
The concept is quite innovative and compelling. There are definitely parallels drawn to other dystopian flicks but this one definitely stands apart as unique.
The special effects during Murat’s dream sequences are mesmerising. They appear to be at random but they provide hidden context to what’s going in Murat’s head and everything around him.
The script is marvelously written and extremely profound. Monologues by Murat and Can are filled with exquisite language and a hefty message behind it. The delivery will have the audience hooked onto every single word uttered.
The Kocaeli rally sequence is extremely poignant and a wonderful example of good filmmaking. Can talking about the symbolism of the rally as people walk the streets and everything that follows makes it a gripping experience from start to finish.
Negatives
While the story is intriguing, it moves at an agonizing pace meaning that getting through the 8 episodes is a total slog. Coming in at close to an hour long, each episode provides so much information integral to the narrative.
Murat’s immunity and connection to Haluk is never really explained clearly ad along with a couple of other subplots, raises a lot of questions are unnecessarily left unanswered.
Verdict
Hot Skull has a lot in common with “Children of Men” and the basic plot of ” The Last of Us” which makes it a fascinating story to follow. There are inspiring messages about how hope is eternal and a small spark is enough to light up the souls of an entire movement.
The series is not recommended as a binge but taking your time with it will definitely be worth your while.
Hot Skull
Director: Mert Baykal, Umur Turagay
Date Created: 2022-12-02 13:30
3.5
Also Read: Hot Skull ending explained: Does Murat help find a cure for ARDS?