Common Sense Media Review
By Stephanie Morgan
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Depressing, surreal take on the meaning of life has cursing.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
A Round of Applause
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Set in Turkey, A ROUND OF APPLAUSE is an existential tale of woe, largely alternating between a mother and a son's point of view and told both from their inner dialogues and their outward interactions. The series begins with a couple excited about having their first baby and takes viewers through the small family's lives over decades in six short episodes. It's the rare show that attempts to examine the big questions in life, like how to be a good parent/son, how to deal with tough times, and figuring out the meaning of life.
Is It Any Good?
An ambitious but polarizing exploration of the complexities of life and parenthood. With its surreal presentation and dark humor, A Round of Applause ventures far beyond the boundaries of traditional storytelling, resembling more an experimental play or avant-garde film than a typical TV drama. The episodes are filled with moments that bounce between absurdity and depressing truths. It begins as a thought-provoking watch, challenging viewers with its unconventional storytelling and complex themes, but quickly descends into a tale of overwhelming negativity, populated with self-centered characters who refuse to learn and grow. As the episodes progress, the dialogue often devolves into diatribes, making this a series that few will enjoy from beginning to end.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how A Round of Applause uses surrealism and metaphor to tackle its themes. How does art and media in address complex topics? Can surreal or experimental storytelling convey certain ideas more effectively than traditional narratives?
Talk about how characters cope with stress and existential dread in various ways, including smoking and humor. What are examples of healthy vs. unhealthy coping mechanisms?
TV Details
- Premiere date : February 29, 2024
- Cast : Aslihan Gürbüz , Fatih Artman
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Drama
- TV rating :
- Last updated : March 25, 2024
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