The moment Juliette Fairmont (Sarah Catherine Hook) hesitates before sinking her teeth into a human neck, First Kill hints at something more nuanced than your average teen vampire romance. The scene is quietly powerful, a moment of moral dilemma that sets the tone for Juliette’s internal struggle throughout the series. As a Legacy vampire—descended from Lilith herself—she’s expected to embrace her bloodlust, but her romantic feelings for Calliope Burns (Imani Lewis), a monster hunter, complicate everything.

Created by V.E. Schwab and based on her short story, First Kill premiered on Netflix in 2022 to mixed reviews. The series follows Juliette, who must make her first kill to enter adulthood, and Calliope, who needs to slay a monster to gain her family’s approval. Their forbidden love story is the heart of the show, and Hook and Lewis deliver performances that are both earnest and compelling. The chemistry between them is palpable, making their romance the series’ strongest asset.

The dual perspective of the first episode is particularly effective, allowing viewers to understand both Juliette’s struggle with her vampiric nature and Calliope’s determination to prove herself as a hunter. This narrative device is not just a structural choice; it’s a thematic one, highlighting the parallels between the two leads. Both are grappling with identity and self-acceptance, making their eventual romance feel earned rather than forced.

However, First Kill is far from perfect. The writing, while decent, often relies on clichés and predictable plot twists. Some performances are uneven, with supporting characters like Margot Fairmont (Elizabeth Mitchell) and Talia Burns (Aubin Wise) feeling one-dimensional. The low-budget production values are noticeable, particularly in the action sequences, which lack the polish of more established supernatural dramas.

The soundtrack, while eclectic—featuring everything from Shania Twain to Billie Eilish—sometimes feels at odds with the show’s tone. The theme song, “The Zombie Song (Netflix First Kill Theme Version)” by Stephanie Mabey, is a standout, effectively using a zombie apocalypse as a metaphor for love. However, some of the other musical choices feel jarring, pulling viewers out of the narrative rather than enhancing it.

One of the series’ most disappointing aspects is its cancellation after just one season. The story arc was left incomplete, leaving viewers without resolution for several key plotlines. This is particularly frustrating given the potential that First Kill showed in its exploration of identity and self-acceptance.

Despite its flaws, First Kill offers a pleasant distraction with its central romance and exploration of identity. It’s a show that will likely resonate most with young viewers who enjoy supernatural dramas with a focus on LGBTQ+ themes. The series is not groundbreaking, but it’s earnest enough to be engaging, and Hook and Lewis’s performances are genuinely compelling.

In the end, First Kill is a moderately enjoyable series that suffers from uneven writing, clichéd plot twists, and low-budget production values. It’s a pleasant distraction that goes down easy, but it lacks the depth and originality to stand out in the crowded field of supernatural teen dramas. The show’s cancellation after one season is a shame, as it had the potential to develop into something more substantial with better writing and direction.

The series is a testament to the chemistry between Hook and Lewis, who bring their characters to life with authenticity and emotion. Their performances are the heart of First Kill, making the show worth watching despite its shortcomings. The supporting cast, while not as memorable, adds depth to the narrative, even if some characters feel underdeveloped.

The show’s exploration of identity and self-acceptance is timely and relevant, particularly for young viewers who may be grappling with similar issues. Juliette’s struggle with her vampiric nature mirrors the challenges faced by many teenagers as they navigate their own identities and relationships. Calliope’s determination to prove herself as a hunter highlights the pressure that young people often feel to meet societal expectations.

First Kill is not without its flaws, but it offers a compelling exploration of love, identity, and self-acceptance. The series is a pleasant distraction that will likely resonate with young viewers who enjoy supernatural dramas with a focus on LGBTQ+ themes. While it may not be groundbreaking, First Kill is earnest enough to be engaging, and Hook and Lewis’s performances are genuinely compelling.