I have a lot of admiration for 13 Reasons why, Netflix’s recent adaptation of Jay Asher’s bestselling novel. I finished watching the series yesterday and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since. Any story that can capture an audience whilst bringing hard issues such as bullying and suicide to light deserves a lot of praise in my book!
For those of you haven’t read the book or watched the series, the basic plot follows Hannah Baker, a 17 year old high school student who makes the tragic decision to end her own life. Hannah leaves behind 13 tapes outlining 13 reasons why she decided suicide was her only option. The series was a tough watch and I experienced a roller coaster of emotions whilst watching it. However, I believe the series impacted me in a positive way.
I think one of the main reasons why I was utterly gripped by this series was because the characters are so relatable. Hannah Baker is a very normal teenager - as are the other characters featured in the 13 episodes. I think, regardless of who you are or your background – you will relate to at least one of the characters at some point.
The series also deals with a lot of difficult themes, which we are perhaps not always used to seeing on screen. As well as suicide and bulling we also see themes of rape, drug abuse, peer pressure and homosexuality. These themes grip the audience and make Hannah’s story feel very real.
After watching I was reminded how important it is to show kindness to others. It seems so simple but I think it’s something we can often forget. We can get so caught up in our own lives and issues that we can forget to look out for others. I think Netflix have done a very good job of highlighting metal health issues among adolescents through the series. Do you agree? I’d love to hear your opinion in the comments.
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