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Youth Series Premiere Review: Sharon Horgan Makes Midlife Chaos Funny, Messy, and Real
By Justin D Williams
HBO’s Youth gets off to a very strong start with its first two episodes, introducing us to Alex, a 50-year-old divorced mother trying to figure out what she wants from the next stage of her life while seemingly everyone around her still needs something from her. She is balancing work, dating, aging parents, the physical changes that come with being in her 50s, and a college-age son who is technically grown but does not always act like it. I was only provided Episodes 1 and 2 for review, so I am keeping this spoiler-free, but these two episodes gave me more than enough to become invested in Alex and the messiness surrounding her. Sharon Horgan is excellent as Alex because she never makes the comedy and drama feel like two separate performances. She can be funny in one moment and exhausted or vulnerable in the next without the transition feeling forced. Alex is going through a lot, but the series does not treat being 50 as though her life is winding down. She still wants romance, sex, freedom and something that belongs to her outside of being somebody’s mother or daughter. At the same time, she cannot simply walk away from those responsibilities. That tension gives the show a lot of its humor, but it also gives Horgan plenty to work with dramatically.
One of the strongest parts of these opening episodes is the relationship between Alex and her son Ruari, played by Aran Murphy. I absolutely loved Murphy’s performance while simultaneously really disliking Ruari, which I mean as a compliment. He plays him so well that there were moments when I genuinely could not stand Alex’s son. Ruari can be entitled, selfish and incredibly frustrating, and Murphy captures that attitude with a level of accuracy that makes the character feel painfully believable. There were several moments where I was sitting there thinking, Alex, please take this boy’s phone away and remind him who the parent is. What impressed me is that Murphy does not play Ruari like a cartoonishly awful teenager. There is enough personality underneath the attitude that he still feels like a real person instead of a character designed solely to annoy the audience. That is what made my reaction to him so strong. When a performance can make me dislike the character that much while also making me appreciate what the actor is doing, the actor is doing something right. Murphy understands exactly how to push Ruari’s behavior far enough to get under your skin without making him unbelievable.
The chemistry between Horgan and Murphy is also excellent. You completely buy them as a mother and son who love each other but are currently driving one another insane. Alex clearly cares about Ruari, yet there is also a growing frustration because she is trying to rediscover herself while still having to deal with someone who should be becoming more independent. Their arguments and exchanges have that uncomfortable familiarity that comes from family members knowing exactly which buttons to press. It quickly became one of the relationships I was most interested in watching.
The supporting cast helps round out Alex’s world as well. Rupert Friend, Sharlene Whyte and Robbie Gee all bring something different to the various parts of her life, but the first two episodes wisely keep Alex at the center. What I liked most is that the series understands her problem is much bigger than simply being a divorced woman trying to date again. She is caught between generations. Her parents need more from her as they get older, her son still needs her even while behaving as though he does not, and Alex is trying to determine what she wants for herself somewhere in the middle of all of that. There is also an honesty to how Youth handles aging and the changes Alex is experiencing with her body. The show can joke about those things without making Alex herself the punchline. That distinction matters. She is allowed to be insecure, confident, irritated, sexual, exhausted and hopeful all at once. That complexity makes her much more interesting than the usual television version of a woman hitting 50 and suddenly being forced into some exaggerated midlife crisis.
After the first two episodes, I am completely on board with Youth. Sharon Horgan gives the series its emotional center, but Aran Murphy nearly steals scenes simply by making Ruari so convincing that I wanted Alex to throw his phone into another room. I loved his performance. I just really, really did not like that kid, and I suspect that is exactly the reaction I was supposed to have.
For the Remote Rating, Youth Episodes 1 and 2 receive Don’t Touch That Remote. These episodes are funny, messy and surprisingly heartfelt, and they do exactly what a strong series premiere should do: introduce the characters, establish the conflicts, and leave me wanting to spend more time in Alex’s world.
VIDEO REVIEW
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