The Rain - Season 1

After reviewing the first episode of The Rain, I couldn't wait to watch the remainder of the season. Unfortunately, the first season consists of only eight episodes, all of which don't even last for 40 minutes. After a solid binge session, you've probably finished all of it. Nonetheless, a lot happens in these short episodes, which makes it feel as if the episodes last a lot longer. This is not a bad thing. The Rain tells the story of a group of teenagers who have managed to survive after a virus appeared during heavy rain in Denmark. It's six years after the first rainfall and they're still trying to survive in a post-apocalyptic version of Denmark. The Andersen family is the main focus in this story, in particular Simone (Alba August) and her brother Rasmus (Lucas Lynggaard Tønnesen). We'll follow their journey in this season of The Rain.

The acting of all the actors is solid.

After the viral outbreak, Simone and Rasmus manage to survive in a bunker for six years. Their father brought them to this bunker. They're running out of food and they're craving for fresh air. After deciding to leave they soon meet another group of survivors, consisting of soldier Martin (Mikkel Boe Følsgaard, Arvingerne), the mysterious Beatrice (Angela Bundalovic), the pious Lea (Jessica Dinnage), the shy Jean (Sonny Lindberg) and the 'useless' Patrik (Lukas Løkken). Friendships are made and the group eventually heads out, looking for answers. Simone figures out that Apollon, the company her father works for, has something to do with the viral outbreak and may even have a cure. Since the outbreak, the world is filled with danger. The other remaining survivors still succumb to the virus, the country is patrolled by mysterious strangers who randomly capture and kill people and of course most water has to be avoided. What follows is a dangerous journey, with an unknown destination.

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Every episode provides us with a bit of background story for each of the characters, so that we know a bit more about their past. These brief flashbacks provide a lot more depth for the characters and their decisions. Although the young actor who portrays Rasmus (Bertil De Lorenzi) annoyed me in the first episode, he redeems himself when he's part of a beautiful scene where he discusses a very important traumatic situation with his sister. How he displays these emotions made sure that all my criticism of him disappeared. In hindsight, it may have been a good thing how I thought the character was annoying, as it meant that the actor was capable of portraying his character well. The acting of all the actors is solid. I've already seen various comparisons to The Walking Dead, but after watching all of it, I would say that The Rain is somewhat milder. There's certainly tension, action and horror but not in such a way that you're constantly on the edge of your seat (I'm not that brave).

Actually, the whole series felt a bit like a good movie that wouldn't be out of place in a movie theatre.

On their way the group figures out that they've been encircled by a wall and that they're in a quarantine zone. The idea that behind the wall there's still a world filled with life invigorates the group and this starts off a whole new plan. Relationships change as their journey progresses and there's even some room for love, despite the state of the world. There are some errors here though. Jean finds some new glasses (do they have the correct prescription?) and Lea still seems to have perfect braces (after six years without an orthodontist??). Luckily, these things are minor enough to not be in the way of the main story. I actually expected to dislike the use of a language I could not understand, but I wasn't bothered as much as I thought I would. Besides the fact that you continuously have to pay attention in order to understand the story, it was very easy to watch.

The filming is done in a way that we can fully witness the sad, empty and threatening world the teenagers live in. Actually, the whole series felt a bit like a good movie that wouldn't be out of place in a movie theatre. I am really excited about The Rain! On the 30th of May Netflix announced that there's going to be a second season of The Rain. There's a lot of story still to tell and the open ending makes us want more as well. I didn't have anything negative to say about the quality of the series, but after asking around it turns out that not everyone is as positive as I am about this show. Some stopped watching after several episodes as they just weren't able to follow the story. Apparently this genre isn't for everyone. Nonetheless, I still think that Netflix has provided us with the perfect combination of mystery, excitement and drama in The Rain. I give the show a solid 8.5 and I'd recommend you all to go and watch it!