Penelope is a coming-of-age drama series created by Mark Duplass and Mel Eslyn, and directed by Eslyn. The show premiered on Netflix on September 24, 2024, with production by Duplass Brothers Productions.
The series revolves around Penelope, a teenage girl who feels detached from the technological chaos surrounding her. To rediscover her connection with nature, she embarks on a transformative journey into the wilderness, encountering various individuals who significantly influence her perspective.
Chosen for streaming by Netflix in May 2024, the series stars Megan Stott as Penelope. Her performance is pivotal in maintaining viewer interest throughout this introspective journey, alongside prominent roles played by Austin Abrams and Krisha Fairchild.
Megan Stott’s Performance Elevates the Series Despite Narrative Flaws
The series opens with a captivating scene where the teenage protagonist, wearing headphones at a club, spots a wolf lingering nearby. It’s ambiguous whether this encounter is real or a figment of her imagination, as she experiences hallucinations later in the series after facing a cougar attack and other wilderness challenges.
Despite the uncertainties, she gathers hiking gear with a $500 gift card, boards a train without a ticket, and heads to the campsite sans a permit. Unfortunately, the reasons behind her choices remain unclear until the series concludes.
What viewers do receive is an exceptional performance from Megan Stott, who portrays the titular character. Her commanding presence and expressive eyes effectively convey a range of emotions, engaging the audience throughout her journey. However, aside from Stott’s performance, the show struggles to maintain momentum beyond the first episode.
Penelope is Visually Captivating
The visuals of Penelope are breathtaking from the first frame to the last. As experienced showrunners, Mark Duplass and Mel Eslyn provide viewers with a visual feast typical of a high-budget production, despite its indie roots and minimal dramatic action.
Thoughtful camera angles and striking imagery transport the audience into the wilderness alongside the teenage protagonist. Moments like her emotional embrace of a giant tree resonate deeply with viewers, as her trials and triumphs feel personal—thanks to both the cinematography and Stott’s captivating performance.
The opening scene of the final episode, where Penelope hallucinates while traversing the forest, is particularly noteworthy for its exquisite cinematography.
Penelope Concludes with a Shocking Twist
Throughout the series, the lead character makes drastic choices to disengage from her normal life and commune with nature. Her peculiar decisions, such as spending a night in a stranger’s van during the first episode and crashing on an old man’s couch in the finale, raise eyebrows.
While her encounters with wildlife and themes of climate change are compelling, the overly pleasant demeanor of the strangers she meets may be unrealistic. Given Netflix’s reputation for chilling true crime stories, Penelope’s narrative can feel somewhat fantastical.
Nonetheless, the finale delivers a dark and shocking revelation. Penelope visits a library, hesitantly checks her social media, and discovers a post indicating her parents have died tragically.
Her reaction in that moment is complex and open to interpretation. It has led some viewers to theorize that her parents’ deaths occurred before her journey began, suggesting the show explores her process of grappling with grief. However, without confirmation from the creators, this remains speculative, adding a new layer to the series.
Penelope is now available for streaming on Netflix.
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