Summary
Dominque Fishback has never been better as Swarm is a haunting look at the obsession of a superstar that will have people talking for weeks
Created by Donald Glover and Janine Nabers, we review the Prime Video series Swarm Season 1, which does not contain spoilers.
The obsession with stars has been something that has only grown over the last few years due to social media. We see creators Donald Glover and Janine Nabers take a deep look at that in the Prime Video series Swarm.
Swarm Season 1 Review and Plot Summary
Swarm follows the story of Dre, a young woman who is obsessed with a pop star, but that obsession turns very dark. The series will have seven episodes dropping all at once. Dominique Fishback stars in the lead role of Dre.
Each episode begins with a warning. It says, “this is not a work of fiction,” and “any similarity to actual persons, live or dead, or actual events, is intentional.” I believe the intention with this of Glover and Nabers was to ensure the audience understood that while this is a TV show, so many people like Dre exist and can be terrifying to artists.
From the moment you meet Dre, you can tell she is one of the typical people inside an artist’s fandom. She has her own Twitter account dedicated to Ni’Jah, and her lock screen is Ni’Jah, and her way of getting into a good headspace is via her music. You witness Ni’Jah’s obsession step in the form of her social awkwardness, as you can tell when she’s around people. The combativeness of when anyone says the slightest slight towards Ni’Jah, her reaction is anger. It was terrific how they wrote this character to depict this person perfectly.
Dre is played by Dominique Fishback, who has broken onto the scene over the last few years. She has had several outstanding performances, including in the Academy Award-winning Judas and the Black Messiah. However, Fishback has never been better than what we see of her in the role of Dre. I am astonished at the depths of which Fishback has to go in the mind of Dre that perfectly lays out this overzealous and haunting character. I can’t tell you how many times my jaw dropped to the floor at some of her actions and reactions. Fishback should be in the Emmy conversation, period.
I’ll be honest, this series will not be for everyone, but it will be one of the most talked about series of 2023. It isn’t an easy watch with some of the gruesome kills, but the equally scarier breakdown of the internal aspects of who Dre really is. I think it’s meant to be a complicated watch, but that makes it a must-watch, and I hope many people get the loud and clear message.
READ: Is Swarm based on a true story?
The technical aspect of the series starts with the four directors, Adamma Ebo, Ibra Ake, Donald Glover, and Stephen Glover. They enrich the series in ways that heighten the anticipation with so many zigs and zags you don’t see them coming because of the brilliant placement of the camera. The aesthetically pleasing work by cinematographer Drew Daniels needs to be highlighted because the dark color palette sets the tone. Without it, it’s not the same. The same could be said for composer’s Michael Uzowuru haunting score.
Is Swarm Season 1 good?
Yes, but with slight reservation. It is a gruesome series to watch, so if you have a weak stomach, Swarm might not be for you. However, Fishback’s performance elevates this profound yet disturbing script to make it one of Prime Video’s best series.
I am blown away by this series and can’t wait to see the conversation it ignites online.
What did you think of Swarm Season 1? Comment below.
