Final Project is a type of series that is sincere in retelling a plot that we have seen many a time before. Revolving around cyberbullying, social media obsession, and the toll online harassment has, this Mexican teen drama attempts to tell a plot that aims to awaken people. The story follows Tamara, a teenager who is transferred to a new school in hopes of a fresh start. However, this dream soon begins to turn into a nightmare when an anonymous online attack starts to target her. Hurtful messages, posts, and a sense of isolation slowly push her into a zone where she begins to question everything and everyone around her. As the harassment continues to grow, Tamara finds herself trapped in a dangerous cycle where even her friendships begin to crumble. The burning question is: who is behind all this? And why is she being targeted?
One of the best things about Final Project is how authentic the makers have managed to create Tamara’s plot. Her journey feels genuine and not made up by a screenwriter. Things feel as if they are a mirror to what real-life victims of harassment undergo. There are many questions raised as well. For example: how much responsibility belongs to those who are anonymous and harass behind a screen? What role do friends, family, and peers play when they find out that someone close to them is a victim of cyberbullying? And if you think that the answer to these questions is easily found in the Final Project, then no. Instead, what happens is that the makers, through each episode, manage to give us the answers.
However, even with all this, the show is not without its flaws. The audience can easily break through the suspense and understand for themselves what exactly is happening without feeling the need to watch the rest of the plot. There are twists and turns, no doubt. But in a short while, they fall flat, and one gets nothing new or original to watch. The momentum is lost too soon. The final episode tries to make up for whatever is lost in the middle, but even with that, it doesn’t really help. The predictability is too obvious. This is the kind of story we have seen before in multiple shows and documentaries. As a result, by the time you reach the middle of the story, you begin to lose interest.
The pacing also fluctuates a lot. Sometimes, the plot runs fast, and then it slows down so much that you won’t feel like watching it at all. Storylines like these need brisk speed, which sadly the makers fail to give us. So all in all, there is no doubt that the topic chosen by the makers is a heavy one and quite informative. The only issue is that the execution sometimes falls flat. The show could have been better in many ways. But that isn’t exactly what happens, and for those reasons, Final Project might not be the best watch for you.
Final Score - [5/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Choudhuri
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times