Off the Hook review: A light watch that doesn’t take itself too seriously

Off the Hook is a French romantic comedy series about two friends who decide to take a digital detox for 30 days and the situations that follow this decision. The show is now streaming on Netflix.

Story

Off the Hook follows Lea and Manon as they get together to drink after a disastrous day in their individual lives.

Over the course of the day, Lea’s ex-boyfriend had rightfully pressed charges against her and she had just gotten out of police custody, and Manon had a disastrous live performance that ended in her becoming an object of ridicule on the internet.

The two decide on going on a digital detox in a drunken haze, and make a pact to not touch their devices and social media over the course of an entire month for their well-being.

What follows is an interesting outlook into social media connectivity and dependency in our everyday lives, with hilarious anecdotes.

Their family and friends also begin to realise the impact of technology on daily life, and attempt to reduce the use of their devices as well, leading to more hilarious results.

The narrative is funny without being preachy, and the pacing of the storyline makes it an easy and lighthearted watch. It is a storyline that doesn’t take itself seriously, and this creates a fun, easy-to-watch rom-com.

Performances

The personalities of the two central characters are not quite likeable, but the way the actors portray them adds a great deal of dimension.

Lea is unlikeable, and quite the creepy stalker, but Tiphaine Daviot realistically portrays her character, with apt comedic timing. She manages to turn one of the most borderline characters into a marvel to watch on screen.

Similarly, Manon Azem provides a great performance as Manon, and their joint chemistry together is one of the best parts of the show.

Ousamma Kheddam provides a brilliant show as Gagan as well, and takes over the spotlight whenever he comes up on the screen with his witty portrayal.

The actors playing their respective families also add the right amount of wackiness into the narrative, truly helping in making the story come alive through its characters.

Positives

A digital detox is a very first world problem, and the show treats it as such. It blends a narrative that does not take itself too seriously with humorous instances to create a balance between the various dynamics on screen.

The pacing of the show is just right, and sails easily without being stagnant. The show is humorous yet still critical of technology and the internet as a medium to replace everyday human interactions. 

The character arcs and development of the two central characters Lea and Manon are quite interesting to watch, and add a level of wholesomeness to the narrative to see them grow and develop into better versions of themselves.

Negatives

The show is a breezy watch, but not particularly memorable. It has its share of funny anecdotes and scenes to recall, but is not quite a revolutionary piece that one can rewatch.

The initial scenes about Lea’s borderline criminal obsession with her ex-boyfriend could be handled in a better way, and incorporated with more seriousness into the narrative.

The ending, much like a lot of such shows, ends on a cliffhanger. It leaves a few ends tangled up, and the future of the show and a proper conclusion hangs uncertain.

Verdict

Off the Hook is an interesting watch, and a lighthearted take on an issue that has been the subject of many pop culture phenomena. It is funny, breezy and a lighthearted one-time watch.

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Also Read: Off the Hook ending explained: Does the digital detox help Lea and Manon?