Invisible Boys (Australian Series)

This Australian coming of age series focuses on gay men and their need to be seen by everyone. Set in the remote town of Geraldton, during the time of the gay marriage vote in Australia; it centers around the feelings and emotions of guys with brutal honesty and integrity. These characters are mostly teen boys and as they form a tight-knit friendship, the boys find solace and support in one another, exploring their desires and identities in a world that often renders them invisible. With 10 episodes each of 30 minutes, I really enjoyed the show in more ways than one.

We first meet Charlie, a rebel seemingly without a care who refuses to dye back his hair black is desperate to leave the town. He hasn't even told his best friend that he is gay but when a hookup with an older married man goes wrong, he announces his sexuality of Facebook live. We also see the geeky Zeke, the younger of the two siblings of an Italian family who is constantly bullied by the school jock Hammer. However hard Zeke tries to keep to himself (including deleting his internet history, lest his over bearing mother will know), Hammer always finds a way to say mean slurs to him. Hammer's mother is also overbearing who never fails to remind him that he is black and that he has to b better than the rest. What no one knows, including Hammer himself, is that maybe he miss into boys. His failed attempt at sex with his girlfriend throws him into panic attack and before you know it seems Hammer has feelings for Zeke, who is the most kindest person out there. Their on-again, off-again chemistry forms a major crux of the show. One night when Charlie has had enough and he tries to run away, he meets Matt, Charlie’s way more age-appropriate hook-up, who, on the surface, has his shit together more than the other three. Only his still waters run a little more turbulent than they appear. A lot of time in the show is spent on Matt and Charlie's relationship as well and there is so much baggage here with each character that you have to see it to believe it.

These boys all have different challenges to contend with but the crux is the same: they’re gay in a tight-knit conservative community that openly frowns upon homosexuality. Each gets an episode from his point of view, giving the viewer a more intimate understanding of these characters and their motivations and challenges. The threat of violence, or being found out, is never far, adding a thick air of tension that hangs over the series like a shroud. Each and every character of these main 4 is given depth and integrity and room to breathe and grow. Charlie's insecurities amplified by the one-step forward, two-steps back dance with an increasingly inscrutable Matt; or Zeke's overbearing mother but a wonderful support in a potential girlfriend and his sister-in-law that helps him to com out to his family; or Hammer as a young man struggling with a twin dilemma with his emerging sexuality and his family's dream of being drafter for national sports. In fact, Hammer’s budding romance with Zeke is the beating Heartstopper of Invisible Boys, but with abundant Aussie swears and a lot more raunch fielded. It’s not quite the fairy-tale happy ever after though. The most painful character is that of Matt, which we get to know only towards the 9th episode. You will not be able to forget Matt's story; his loneliness, the depression that he is dealing with. The show may seem that it is portraying only deeply unhappy queer experience but in my humble opinion, the makers of this series paints complex queer characters and treats them with love, frankness and sympathy. That should be something we see more of, not less, in the media.

The 4 main actors are all super incredible in their roles which are really well written. They brought real depth and complexity to their characters. The writers and cast deserve recognition for portraying queer characters with nuance, something often lacking in similar shows within the genre. The sex scenes felt somewhat over-the-top and gratuitous, but they also reflected the authentic young gay experience in a way that many viewers, myself included, can relate to.In fact, even all the supporting actors do a marvelous job; but its Zeke's mom that stands out. Her performance as Zeke’s racist, homophobic mother had me seething, even if it is a somewhat predictable cartoon villain role. Invisible Boys is, ultimately, about the healing power of community and chosen family. There are genuinely moving moments between these boys who’ve found one another in a hopeless place, and an optimism that they’ll all find their way. (9/10)