A psychotherapy session has never been so random and funny as in the series «Anxious People».

At the center of the plot of the Swedish series «Anxious People» (Folk med аngest), released on Netflix right at the end of 2021, is a group of people who become hostages while viewing an apartment for sale. They are taken captive by a would-be robber who failed to get money from the bank (it only works with cashless payments!), and could think of nothing better than to hide in that very apartment—he (or she, since the criminal doesn't utter a word and wears a mask) didn't come up with anything else.

The police and journalists arrive at the crime scene, but after a few hours (and one gunshot), the hostages are safely released. But what's more interesting is that the robber disappears without a trace. This leads the father-and-son investigating team to suspect the «victims» themselves.

And This Is Not a Thriller, Nor a Story About a Robbery

Despite the setup hinting at a crime thriller or a dark detective story, the series «Anxious People» is not about that at all. The investigation here is extremely clumsy, the robbery doesn't happen, and there are no murders. Instead of this gentlemanly set of genres, there is a handful of characters with inner turmoil, for whom this ambiguous and largely accidental situation serves as a trigger.

The series is based on the book «Anxious People» by Fredrik Backman, author of the famous novel «A Man Called Ove», which over time became one of the main modern Swedish films. This fact suggests that the plot should be expected to feature everyday and very funny sketches from the characters' lives. And that's exactly how it turned out.

Someone can't admit to their partner that they don't share their interests. Others can't voice their fears and concerns about their shared future. And over time, the series turns into a kind of psychotherapy session, where the characters work through their deep-seated problems. But it looks not only touching but also hilarious, because the methods they sometimes choose are the most unexpected. How else to explain the presence of a person in a BDSM bunny costume in the plot?!

Well-Developed Characters and Unpredictable Plot

What makes «Anxious People» captivating is the depth of its characters. Every personal story, every personality, all come together into fully-fledged individuals you believe in. And whom you want to empathize with. Even the most unbearable characters, as they might seem at the beginning, eventually gain that depth that distinguishes truly quality stories from mediocre ones.

As for the central storyline—the detective search for the criminal—despite its overall clumsiness (which, by the way, is ironically played up through the not-so-far-sighted police officers), it keeps you on edge. It's hardly possible to unravel the main mystery until the final episodes. And the final twist can only be described as «Agatha Christie in reverse.»

Is It Worth Watching the Series «Anxious People»?

This new release from Netflix delights with its dynamic storytelling, well-rounded characters, and diverse humor. It's not a must-watch, as it is quite lightweight. But some may find answers to their questions here, while others will simply have a pleasant time in the company of interesting characters. And that alone is a reason to give «Anxious People» a chance.

Trailer: