“Outer Banks” film review

by Emma Neubart, Staff Writer

The new Netflix series, Outer Banks, is designed to take viewers back in time to the ‘80s with its style and drama that make the storyline so intriguing. It is said by many that OBX is a combination of several different classic movies as well as Netflix Originals such as Goonies, The O.C., Red Dawn, On My Block, Stranger Things, and Simple Plan. The drama that these kids endure throughout their summer on the island is not exactly original, but the spice of the characters and obstacles they face is what makes the ten-episode series so binge-worthy. 

The story is set in the Outer Banks of North Carolina but filmed in South Carolina for more of the beachy, islandy, vibe viewers get from following the “Pogues” on their many endeavors on the island throughout the series. The Pogues are a group of blue-collared kids that have to face the struggle of making do with what they have, even though the other group on the island, the “Kooks” have it all. The Kooks and Pogues are rival groups whom viewers see go head to head throughout the episodes. The Pogues are seen to be the scrappy kids compared to the Kooks, who are the children of the upper-class residents, Lead by Topper (Austin North) and his soon to be ex-girlfriend Sarah Cameron (Madelyn Cline)  who later falls in love with John B. The classes are clearly shown with the cars that they drive and the colors/ clothing that they wear every day. The Pogues wear standard clothing, if any at all, and drive whatever they can get their hands on, where the Kooks are dressed in vibrant, preppy, clothes and drive Jeeps and nicer cars that have clearly been paid for with their parent’s money. 

It seems that this show revolves around the looks of the characters, rather than their mediocre acting abilities. The narrator, charming John B (Chase Stokes) has lived months without his father, or any family at all, but is kept in good company nonetheless by his friends JJ (Rudy Pankow), Pope (Jonathan Daviss) and Kiara (Madison Bailey). As they go about their days sailing on their boat, going to parties on the beach, and going on missions to find hidden treasure. John B’s father went missing on a boat mission attempting to find the treasures of the sunken ship The Royal Merchant. Taking after his father  John B and his group of Pogues go out to find the 400 million dollars worth of gold hidden on the island. 

In the midst of all of the drama going on between groups, the Pogues are on a mission to finish what John B’s dad could not. They were going to find the missing treasure of The Royal Merchant. Facing murder allegations, gunshots, DCS, and just overall danger, this group of kids will do what it takes to get the gold. While on this mission, John B falls in love with Kook princess Sarah Cameron. Given the circumstances, Sarah distances herself from the Kooks and joins forces with the Pogues as a sign of defying stereotypes and society as a whole. 

All in all, the story leaves out some bits and pieces and leaves viewers wanting more for the second season as well as hopefully many more seasons to come as they close on this mission and embark on another one. OBX is a perfect show to watch to see attractive characters, mystery-solving, intensive drama, and a classic-group rivalry play out.