We Are Who We Are (TV, 2020)

Director: Luca Guadagnino
Stars: Jack Dylan Grazer, Jordan Kristine Seamón, Chloë Sevigny

Synopsis: Two American teenagers come of age while living on an American military base in Italy.

Verdict: Right here, right now.

This opening sentence is much more than the title of every episode in Luca Guadagnino's latest project. Combined with the title, it's a perfect reminder of what its various themes are. Set in an American military base in Italy, it follows Fraser, played by an unrecognizable Jack Dylan Grazer of "It" fame, as he navigates through his confusing teenage years alongside his two mothers (Chloë Sevigny & Alice Braga) and his friend and next-door neighbor Caitlyn (Jordan Kristine Seamón).

As alluded by its two defining phrases, the show works as a fascinating tale of self-discovery marked by a focus on sexuality, gender roles, friendship, parenthood, and even religion. Every single character has a purpose in the overarching narrative which, to my pleasure, strayed away from the Hollywood formula we're all too familiar with at this point. Instead, it chose to present life as a series of moments and memories that contribute to the growth of a character rather than the flow of the story, and I absolutely loved that about it.

As he always does, Guadagnino's direction not only injected the project with a personality of its own but was also one with the characters and their emotions. Through the show's gorgeous cinematography and magnificent soundtrack, he managed to pull me into the beautiful Italian setting and see it through each of the characters' eyes.

"We Are Who We Are" may not appeal to those seeking a more conventional show to binge but, for me, it was the highlight of the eight weeks in which it aired on HBO. It reminded me at times of "Mommy" and at other times of Guadagnino's previous projects, especially "Call Me by Your Name", so if you enjoyed these, odds are that you'll like this one as well. The director mentioned that he has plans for a second season if it ever gets greenlit and, even though I definitely wouldn't mind revisiting this particular universe, I was also content with how it ended for now.

FINAL GRADE: 8/10