We Are Who We Are - Season 1
hboLuca Guadagnino has largely used his platform for intimate stories of self-discovery and self-acceptance – his new series We Are Who We Are is no different. Set on a U.S. military base in Italy, the film follows a group of high schoolers as they explore various pieces of their identities; the series quickly becomes a deeply personal and relevant look at the complex and nuanced experience of modern adolescence that is sure to stick with audiences long after the season finale ends.
As with many of his previous works, Luca Guadagnino thrives in finding the layers of mundane life. The drama and emotions within We Are Who We Are often is found not from large plot developments but the natural drama found in life itself. Especially for teenagers, every day presents a new opportunity to find oneself and We Are Who We Are gives nearly every character a compelling arc of inner discovery that is more than enough to hook audiences and genuinely cause them to care about these individuals. Ranging in topics from sexuality, gender identity, religion, class, political beliefs and so on, the show is almost guaranteed to have something that resonates personally with audiences and the expression of these topics feels genuine and authentic.
Whilst part of this is absolutely the screenplay, a lot is also due to the performances. Outside of his more innocent roles in the newest adaptation of the It series and Shazam!, Jack Dylan Grazer is largely an unproven talent when it comes to emotional complexity, but We Are Who We Are stands as a breakout success for the young actor. His character of Fraser easily carries the most attitude and complicated identity of any character in the show. Fraser bounces between keeping his thoughts inside his own head, to a fault, and lashing out with incredible anger at those around him yet also needs to be likable and relatable as the lead character. Jack Dylan Grazer doesn't just impress but stuns with the control and power he carries, with this performance immediately proving that his range is far larger than what most will think judging by his roles of the past. The show also will stand as a coming out party of sorts for Jordan Kristine Seamón, who makes her first major acting debut with the project. Whilst, by design, her character of Caitlin is quieter and more passive than Fraser, the emotional power and haunting effect she has on the plot is equal if not even greater than that of Fraser. Not only do these two impress greatly but they have incredible chemistry not just with each other but with the large supporting cast. Though no one else quite gets the same level of depth of focus, each actor stands tall with well-built performances that show an incredible understanding of the material not just on a surface level but a deeper emotional level as well.
These actors breathe life into their characters, which is equally felt in the setting of the film. Not only is Luca Guadagnino clearly drawing inspiration from his own life as a gay individual who grew up in Italy, but Guadagnino expands the show to also feature a clear modern-day setting. The show consistently reminds the audience of the 2016 setting, largely with footage from the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election. It is here that the show finds yet another nuanced conversation: the warring identity of the American soul. Quite literally, the show builds the divide between modern-day progressive movements and those hoping to preserve the more traditional ideas and morals of the nation through the families of Fraser and Caitlin. Fraser has lesbian parents who are not just breaking the stereotypes of their sexualities but also their gender roles within the military while their next-door neighbors, Caitlin's family, is run by her father who is a heavy Trump supporter and wants to protect the Christian values and reinforce them within his children. The show doesn't give an easy answer to this divide and more observes the complexities of it.
One thesis found throughout the show is the unfair nature life often carries. Life is not a film being written to end with a nice bow. Life doesn't wait for anyone or anything. From a father who wants his family to carry a certain identity only to slowly lose his family more and more to a progressive movement falling to a conservative politician who threatens everything, there is no simple answer or narrative for the human experience which is something the show is well aware of and celebrates. Life is often painful and frustrating, but the show also keeps in mind why it all is worth it. Whether it's sharing a sunrise with a good friend, dancing alone drunk in the street at midnight or making out with someone you love. We Are Who We Are captures the ups and downs of life with a realism rarely seen on screen. The sole area where this realism sometimes struggles is in human angst. When Fraser has to lash out, there are times where it can feel distractingly forced and annoying but, ultimately, this is very minor and the purpose of these scenes still stands as successful.
Ultimately, it is this realism and acceptance of complexity that elevates We Are Who We Are to the level that it stands. The show can be slow and take a while to get into but, slowly, the characters and their inner turmoil grows on the audience and evokes an expression of human truth. Luca Guadagnino, again, has found a way to blend fiction and reality in a way that will have audiences on the edge of their seats in emotion, hanging on every line that often reads more like poetry than a traditional screenplay. Very much like Guadagnino's past works, the show might not be for everyone but for audiences who have appreciated the director's past projects, this is sure to stand as another resounding success.
