Brand New Cherry Flavor (2021)

Watchseries; This one is for those of us who love fantasy/horror/adventure/SF to transport and captivate us entirely for a brief escape. With a couple exceptions, this is not a gore series; instead, it does a fantastic job making the viewer turn away from the screen anyway (I don't want to add any spoilers!). The acting is great (so good to see Keener again). The larger story isn't supposed to be a surprise, I don't think, just something that slowly reveals itself. While at times funny, the show does not descend into silliness and the horror/action is compelling.

I think they also did a great job illustrating sexual harassment and presenting a strong, unpretentious female lead who is not afraid to go braless. I'm not sure why I noticed that, but it just made the character more believable to me. [Hey, if you've got it, rock it!]

This series was a fun ride, especially the first few, that just sucked me in and convinced me it was okay to watch hours of TV that day... Completely binged this. I recommend you do too!

If you enjoy this, you might like Salazar's other mini-series 'Undone', with Bob Odenkirk. It is not much like this one at all -- no horror -- far more philosophical, but just as engaging. Happy Watching!

This one is for those of us who love fantasy/horror/adventure/SF to transport and captivate us entirely for a brief escape. With a couple exceptions, this is not a gore series; instead, it does a fantastic job making the viewer turn away from the screen anyway (I don't want to add any spoilers!). The acting is great (so good to see Keener again). The larger story isn't supposed to be a surprise, I don't think, just something that slowly reveals itself. While at times funny, the show does not descend into silliness and the horror/action is compelling.

I think they also did a great job illustrating sexual harassment and presenting a strong, unpretentious female lead who is not afraid to go braless. I'm not sure why I noticed that, but it just made the character more believable to me. [Hey, if you've got it, rock it!]

This series was a fun ride, especially the first few, that just sucked me in and convinced me it was okay to watch hours of TV that day... Completely binged this. I recommend you do too!

If you enjoy this, you might like Salazar's other mini-series 'Undone', with Bob Odenkirk. It is not much like this one at all -- no horror -- far more philosophical, but just as engaging. Happy Watching!

Brand New Cherry Flavor watchseries. *Pros* The main actress (Rosa, playing Lisa) is amazing! It was a very demanding role, which she nailed & completely sold the story. Boro, Lou and Alvin (the funny producer man), were also brill. -- The premise is solid, and time is taken towards enabling us to really resonate with the main character. -- I like the cinematography; and filming locations. -- The hair, makeup & fashion departments deserve a shout out.

I really enjoyed it & it's addictive. And would recommend if you like this genre. Especially if you like AHS.

*Cons* In episodes 1-5, the character's behaviours and motivations made sense & were moderately realistic. And that's what made it so engaging. However, from ep. 6 onwards, characters would behave in ways that are unusual / illogical / counterintuitive. (However, I appreciate that sometimes this is necessary to push the story forward.) -- A lot of plot holes and unanswered questions. -- I think they could have benefited from making the main character more compassionate in some situations involving innocent parties. -- I would have slightly toned down the gruesomeness; it started to get predictable that if we see something gross... someone is going to eat it.

Obviously we won't get another season because it's a limited series so why not wrap up the story? The whole show was good up until the end.

I was immediately drawn in on episode one. Rosa Salazar is an astounding presence. She made the show, which is ideal for a main character.

But, like many have said, the show started off incredible until halfway through when it started to fall apart. The whole plot centered around her wanting her film back. It felt like the writers forgot about that at some point. There were so many unnecessary deaths and frustrating moments. Casting was correct, especially for Lisa, Lou, and Boro. Cinematography was correct. A lot of dialog was correct. The show created a unique vibe, which is rarer these days than it should be.

I could forgive many of the show's sins if it weren't for the ending. It was like a big fuck you to the viewer. It made me feel like I wasted my time. Few things are more heartbreaking than a sloppy second half/ending to what could have been an outstanding series.

Also, I see frequent reference and comparison to Lynch and Cronenberg in the reviews. It's irritating. Cronenberg I can see more so but not much so. Just because it's mysterious and unusual doesn't make it Lynch, and just because there's body horror doesn't make it Cronenberg.

A Netflix series that follows the descent into hell of a young woman (Rosa Salazar) dreaming of making it big in the Hollywood. We discover how far she must go to make a feature film, and to do that, she has to put up with lots of vomiting kittens, occult and revenge in equal measures. It relentlessly portrays the power dynamics, revenge and the consequences that arise from it. In the later course of the series, these developments are also reflected in grotesque body horror, which uncomfortably unites a weird melange of genres. Combined with Rosa Salazar's impressive screen presence and Catherine Keener's provocative portrayal of Boro.

However the 2nd half of the series took a downturn with cheesy moments and forced storylines. The series starts off compelling and then just kind of goes off the deep end with weak dialogues and rushed screenplay. It recalls David Cronenberg, Lucile Hadzihalilovi, some Hong Kong Cat III sleaze-fest, Nicolas Winding Refn aesthetics, and tries hard to be Lynchian. There's Patrick Fischler who is famous for the Winkie's scene in Lynch's "Mulholland Drive" as Alvin Sender. I felt like this had a lot of potential but I just wasn't enjoying myself anymore in the last half but it partially attempts to get back on track towards the very end and feels rushed.

There is comic relief, Jonathan who plays Lou's son and I don't know if it was intentional or not. His role was very amusing. Even the kitten puking thing will begin to seem more normative after repeated. Felt it was stretched, I was even laughing. I see the "gore" the series was after, but it didn't come through in full circle except for the fisting scene.

In any case, Brand New Cherry Flavor is one of those visual experiences that is truly one horrifying series, but the horrifying doesn't really feel earned. A lot of weird feelings surrounding this series. This will definitely be a hard slog for general viewers for it's uncanny atmosphere even if it doesn't necessarily pay it off but will leave a lasting impression for those who can go into this series with an open mind.

Glad they give really weird stuff like this a chance. Really, really weird. And addictive. I can't stop watching. Rosa Salazar absolutely nails the part, and gives flair to the whole show. Great special effects, directing, and did I say really weird already?