This review may contain spoilers
Not For the Faint of Heart
I just finished watching this series and I think it will take me quite a while to process the whole thing. However, I want to present my initial reaction as is. From reading the other reviews, I can see it hit me different that it did others, but that’s okay. Maybe it’s my dramturgy background or just my dramatic personality, I don’t know, but it had an intense effect on me once I got past the first few episodes.
On the surface, Playboyy may seem dumb, campy, dirty, silly. The sex seems fake and forced (way too much underwear for what’s supposed to be going on), the guys aren’t that hot, the chemistry is lacking, the kisses aren’t sensual, etc. The whole atmosphere just reeks of booze, cigarettes, sweat, and c*m.
For those who stick with it, though, there are reasons for all of this. I wouldn’t classify this as a BL at all, but a gritty drama, a heart wrenching tragedy. Everything in Playboyy (including the series itself) is flawed. Still, it gets better and better as it goes on. In hindsight, this shaky start seems almost intentional. On the surface, everything is fun and games. Everyone is shallow. No one is particularly likeable, except maybe Zouey and Teena (and for some, that doesn’t even last.) The message even feels simplistic: sex is great, sex is hot, sex is for everyone…
Sometimes. But it’s not always fun, or good, or healthy.
As we move deeper into the characters’ worlds, we discover that each of them, in their own way, is seeking love. For most (if not all) of them, however, this love is one of three things: transactional, toxic, or trauma-bonding. Love is entangled with sex in both healthy and unhealthy ways. At first, manipulation/non-consent, peer-pressure, emotional abuse, and sexual violence are the flavors of the day. This doesn’t necessarily change as the characters fall in love; however, the characters (and NC scenes) actually become more believable and erotic as things develop because there is at least honest affection. The characters even seem more physically attractive and perhaps even likeable as we get to know them better and develop empathy towards — or at least a deeper understanding of — them. (Actually, it’s good that the actors aren’t all pretty boys, because this isn’t a romance, by any means.)
The characters; however, are not redeemed by love. They do terrible, unforgivable things, even to their best friends and devoted lovers. Because they are all so broken, though, they can still find solace in one another. This show is a tragedy not only because of lost lives, but because of lost trust, lost innocence, and lost souls. I cried way too much over each of these aspects.
Of course, the main plot is the search for a missing young man, lost in a world of drugs, sex, and crime. The true purpose is to show the darkest sides of people’s sensual indulgence, addictions, and desires, and the damage that it does to everyone involved. I found the story developed its suspense well as the plot moved forward.
Despite some weird and distracting choices from the screenwriter and director (what was all that English dialogue for?), there are also some incredibly beautiful cinematic shots. The intentional use of warm/cool and neutral color palettes was clearly well thought out. The fashion is absolutely extra, and the music is good. However, I found Playboyy really hard to watch because of my emotional investment. I was also revolted by some of the physical and emotional violence. I gave the series a decent rewatch value, but I honestly don’t think I could take it again. I would likely watch a second season, but with reservation, as I don’t think I am that much of a masochist.
A note about violence and consent. There is quite a bit of BDSM in this show, and while that itself is not an issue, I found some of it to be quite problematic. While the client does pay for the privilege, and the sex worker agrees, the transactional nature of the exchange, especially since the power dynamic between the rich client and the poor provider is so great, is coercive by nature. The fact that physical damage is done without any possible recourse by the victim is also a red flag. However, this is all used purposefully to show the harsh reality of sex work, which in many places (especially developing countries) is steeped in a world of drugs, sexual violence, crime, emotional pain, and death.
For people who want romance, laughs, or a sexy romp, this honestly isn’t it. This series comes with a lengthy content warning, which should be taken seriously. To me, though, it was worth watching, be have it made me think.
On the surface, Playboyy may seem dumb, campy, dirty, silly. The sex seems fake and forced (way too much underwear for what’s supposed to be going on), the guys aren’t that hot, the chemistry is lacking, the kisses aren’t sensual, etc. The whole atmosphere just reeks of booze, cigarettes, sweat, and c*m.
For those who stick with it, though, there are reasons for all of this. I wouldn’t classify this as a BL at all, but a gritty drama, a heart wrenching tragedy. Everything in Playboyy (including the series itself) is flawed. Still, it gets better and better as it goes on. In hindsight, this shaky start seems almost intentional. On the surface, everything is fun and games. Everyone is shallow. No one is particularly likeable, except maybe Zouey and Teena (and for some, that doesn’t even last.) The message even feels simplistic: sex is great, sex is hot, sex is for everyone…
Sometimes. But it’s not always fun, or good, or healthy.
As we move deeper into the characters’ worlds, we discover that each of them, in their own way, is seeking love. For most (if not all) of them, however, this love is one of three things: transactional, toxic, or trauma-bonding. Love is entangled with sex in both healthy and unhealthy ways. At first, manipulation/non-consent, peer-pressure, emotional abuse, and sexual violence are the flavors of the day. This doesn’t necessarily change as the characters fall in love; however, the characters (and NC scenes) actually become more believable and erotic as things develop because there is at least honest affection. The characters even seem more physically attractive and perhaps even likeable as we get to know them better and develop empathy towards — or at least a deeper understanding of — them. (Actually, it’s good that the actors aren’t all pretty boys, because this isn’t a romance, by any means.)
The characters; however, are not redeemed by love. They do terrible, unforgivable things, even to their best friends and devoted lovers. Because they are all so broken, though, they can still find solace in one another. This show is a tragedy not only because of lost lives, but because of lost trust, lost innocence, and lost souls. I cried way too much over each of these aspects.
Of course, the main plot is the search for a missing young man, lost in a world of drugs, sex, and crime. The true purpose is to show the darkest sides of people’s sensual indulgence, addictions, and desires, and the damage that it does to everyone involved. I found the story developed its suspense well as the plot moved forward.
Despite some weird and distracting choices from the screenwriter and director (what was all that English dialogue for?), there are also some incredibly beautiful cinematic shots. The intentional use of warm/cool and neutral color palettes was clearly well thought out. The fashion is absolutely extra, and the music is good. However, I found Playboyy really hard to watch because of my emotional investment. I was also revolted by some of the physical and emotional violence. I gave the series a decent rewatch value, but I honestly don’t think I could take it again. I would likely watch a second season, but with reservation, as I don’t think I am that much of a masochist.
A note about violence and consent. There is quite a bit of BDSM in this show, and while that itself is not an issue, I found some of it to be quite problematic. While the client does pay for the privilege, and the sex worker agrees, the transactional nature of the exchange, especially since the power dynamic between the rich client and the poor provider is so great, is coercive by nature. The fact that physical damage is done without any possible recourse by the victim is also a red flag. However, this is all used purposefully to show the harsh reality of sex work, which in many places (especially developing countries) is steeped in a world of drugs, sexual violence, crime, emotional pain, and death.
For people who want romance, laughs, or a sexy romp, this honestly isn’t it. This series comes with a lengthy content warning, which should be taken seriously. To me, though, it was worth watching, be have it made me think.
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