Don’t let the terrible title deceive you. “High School” is a streaming series from Amazon that dropped in October of 2022. It was created by Clea DuVall. And I was shocked to discover it’s based on the real life Canadian pop duo of Tegan and Sara Quin.
The series consists of eight episodes, each roughly thirty minutes in length. I was hooked a few scenes into the first episode, and burned through the entire thing on a single Friday night.
Tegan and Sara are fifteen-year-old twin sisters, navigating the woes of a new school. As such, much of the story revolves around the pair simply trying to fit in. What’s cool is the way the viewer gets to follow various characters. The twins, their parents, their friends etc. are highlighted on specific days, with overlapping and parallel interactions. Tarantino would be impressed.
Great Acting from All
Tegan and Sara are portrayed by Railey and Seazynn Gilliand. They perfectly embody a pair of sullen teenagers. They love music, share a bond of being outsiders, and have a love/hate sibling relationship. The dynamic is seamless, and couldn’t be attained by anything other than real life sisters.
They have a bevy of friends that play integral parts to the story. Esther McGregor, Olivia Rouyre, Amanda Fix, Brianne Tju, Geena Meszaros; each is excellent as well. Topics as diverse as acceptance, depression, and sexuality are all touched upon.
The Quin family is filled out with Colbie Smulders as Simone and Kyle Bornheimer as Patrick. Smulders (How I Met Your Mother) is a grief counselor who is close with the twins but tough as needed. Simone is dealing with the stresses of her job as well as raising the kids. She’s also getting bored with her life. As her friend Loni (Nikki Rae Hallow) asks “Are the suburbs getting to the girls or you?”
Kyle Bornheimer is one of those faces you know from somewhere but can’t seem to place. Bornheimer demonstrates that he’s an outstanding actor. The character of Patrick is quite sympathetic. He’s the stepfather who wants to be accepted but knows his place. “That’s above my pay grade” he laughs when the twins ask for an outlandish favor.
1995
What sends “High School” to elite status is the setting. Not Calgary, but the year of 1995. Music ties in to the scenes and characters, and of course the soundtrack is amazing.
Nostalgia junkies will swoon over the fashion, cars, and bedroom posters, taped to the walls. And the overall simpler time including wall phones and notes left in lockers.
“High School” is a great show. I urge Amazon to green light Season 2.
“High School” can be streamed on Amazon.
