Paranormal Park is the kind of family show that Netflix should kiss

Streaming platforms are always a disputed subject for creatives in the entertainment industry and the public, but an advantage is undeniable-the accessibility of a streaming library allows people to discover shows and films that they may have missed when they made their debut for the first time. Previously, people would discover their new favorite after having traveled the shelves of video stores, grabbing an wandering replay on the cable, or by making an older cousin presents something cool before their time. If you have had the chance to become major with the Internet, forum discussions, lists published on your favorite online publication (like / film!), Or the omnipotent Tumblr gifset was methods of cultural sharing that allowed foreigners to connect to each other on a shared love of cinema and television.

Now, the algorithm of the all-powerful streaming platform has done all leg work, and the public frequently injects a new life into films that initially dropped when the release of a new obsession for television shows that left years ago. Recently, the series of fantastic horror animated Netflix “Dead End: Paranormal Park”, which was canceled two years ago, was rediscovered by certain people whose only knowledge of the program is some clips out of context. The supernatural series focuses on Barney (Zach Barack) and Norma (Kody Kavitha), two teenagers who are hired to work in Phoenix Parks, a haunted Dollywood-Esque theme park created by the famous Pauline Phoenix (Coco Peru). They are joined by the childhood puppy by Barney Puglsey (Alex Brightman) and Courtney (Emily Osment), the 3 -year -old resident demon. He evokes the fear of family shows like “Courage the Cowardly Dog”, “The Adventures of Billy & Mandy”, “Scooby-Doo” and “Gravity Falls”, but with the heart of shows like “Steven Universe” and my beloved favorite, “Craig of the Creek”.

Well, after seeing “Dead End: Paranormal Park”, I can say with confidence that it is exactly the type of family show that Netflix should adopt, as well as the type of original series that makes streaming services.

“Dead End: Paranormal Park” has a seriously dazzling animation, with charming characters presented in vibrant colors and rounded shapes like Steele’s graphic novel. Even with haunted mascots, demonic game games and a musical episode, the series carries viewers in a fantastic place, but with relatable messages on learning to understand you. Equally daring is provocative joy at the center of history, because the casting is incredibly diverse and better reflects the world in general. Barney is a Jewish, gay, fatty and transgender teenager, while Norma is an American Pakistani, autistic and bisexual. Nothing on their identity is presented as a touch or a surprise of the plot; It is simply the reality of whom they are. There are also characters like Badyah Hassan Extravert and Optimist (Kathreen Khavari), who wears a hijab, and Barney’s Crush, Logan “Logs” Nguyen, which often uses word games to broadcast an awkward tension.

The show is not about Their marginalized identities, but that also does not claim that their identity has no impact on the way they sail on life. Nowadays, this should not be revolutionary, but in a world where anti-LGBTQIA + rhetoric wins terrifying terrain, in particular the genre targeting young trans, it is. “Dead Ind: Paranormal Park” first allows a teenager: clumsy, hopeful and uncertain of himself while he sails on crushing, friendship and search from where it belongs. When Barney says for the first time to norma that he is trans, it is presented with ease. He explains that this haunted themed park, from all places, is where he finally felt safe to be – to kiss in his own terms when and how to share who he is, because the people of his life are not always so asserted.

Each queer person understands the deep meaning to have their identity and the unequaled euphoria which has just lived authentically, completely on your terms. Seeing Barney, a trans teenager, expresses this in an animated series is particularly significant-the consumer animation rarely explores characters like this with such depth and care, although we have seen great progress with programs like “The Great North” and “The Owl House”, as well as films like “Nimona”, to name just a few.

It is a shame that “Dead Ind: Paranormal Park” is only for two seasons, because despite the fact that it is in the backdrop of supernatural and frightening fear of another world, the heart of the series is a story of passage to adulthood. Barney works to deal with his feelings about the inability of his family to fully assert his identity, and he must find the confidence necessary to defend himself instead of constantly leaning back to prevent someone else feels uncomfortable. He is a nice, empathetic and enthusiastic teenager, but he must learn the value of prioritizing his own happiness.

Meanwhile, Norma constantly learns to get out of his comfort zone, to work on his social anxiety and to afford to be part of a community. As an autistic character, it is sometimes overvalued or can be a little frank, but the series does not look at it for the treatment of the world differently. The show loves these two characters exactly as they are, and it only wants what suits them best.

There is a strong message on the Found family and to determine where you belong, even if it means binding friends with an old demon in a theme park. It is impossible to be the strangest person of a park that presents demons, witches, ghosts, night spells and ghosts, which means that any child who looks at home can see that they are not “strange” to be themselves either. And for parents, older brothers and sisters or any other person who can look, see Barney and Norma struggle is a way to remind adults that young people in their lives need love, affirmation, compassion and understanding.

“Dead End: Paranormal Park” is an original and fun moment with a great sense of humor and a deep affinity to treat marginalized communities and poorly understood. If it is “propaganda”, because some bad bits of badness accused it of being, it is a message that deserves to heart.