The series "Elite" is possibly the best school drama in the last few years.

"Gossip Girl" and "Big Little Lies" in an eight-hour Spanish version. "Elite" is a new and already popular Netflix series that raises many important issues in modern society, including adolescence, class inequality, relationships between people and nationalities.

Plot

Three working-class children (after receiving scholarships because their school was destroyed by an earthquake) end up at Las Encinas, the best and most exclusive school in Spain. There are those with nothing to lose and those who create eternal conflict. In the end, we see a crime from which the whole story begins.

On one hand, the Spanish series reminded me of another story about a girl who stirred up a mess for others to clean up. She can be compared to the main character of "13 Reasons Why": also standing up against the system, and the viewer thinks they know her, but in the end, it's quite the opposite.

It's a dark and juicy thriller with beautiful cinematic moments. I would take screenshots, but that would be a spoiler for future viewers. So, maximum spoiler-free, continuing below.

I watched all episodes of the first, second, and third seasons in a row; I didn't get bored and didn't skip through them.

The show had little advertising before its release, but after the series came out, social media really exploded like high school gossip. Two weeks after the release, the "Elite" team had already started filming the second season.

Comparisons and References

The teen series is often compared to several projects. Like in "Gossip Girl", the action is set in a private school where social significance is determined by wealth, gender, and power. There's even room for blackmail between a student and a teacher. The series also reminded me of "How to Get Away with Murder" with its jumps between timelines to reveal the central murder theme. And, of course, the slow unveiling of the crime, like in "Big Little Lies".

"Elite" is based on proper storytelling. It starts with outsiders in a fairy-tale land: a sensitive guy working as a waiter to support his family; a cheeky joker who doesn't care about his social status; a smart and overly protected daughter who doesn't stray from her faith.
By the end of the first episode, they show you who was actually killed. But until the very end, you won't know who the killer is. (I, for example, wasn't sure until the end and didn't even guess correctly). The police interrogation in almost every episode will confuse you. In the end, the culprit could really have been anyone; each central character had a serious motive for the crime.

How is "Elite" Different from Other Teen Dramas?

Here, the characters have clear and consistent views on life, real motives, and psychological foundations. Their actions make sense, even when they mess up.

What topics are brought up for discussion: drug problems, sexually transmitted diseases, career choices, fear of parents, social isolation, unwanted pregnancy, unconventional love triangles, the divide between rich and poor, religious views. And all this in eight hours. Each topic has its logical conclusion. I call it a success when the authors have addressed and explained all the issues.

Yes, there is room for romance, but against the backdrop of all relationships, special time is devoted to the dynamics of friendship between characters. There is strong character development influenced by events and acquaintances, as well as excellent acting by the young cast. None of the many characters get lost or forgotten.

Take, for example, the typical privileged school bully. He is obsessed with making the lives of the three newcomers a living nightmare, but the authors gave him his own unique story that hints at redemption throughout the season. Usually, bullies don't get a second chance with viewers, but here he becomes your favorite character. And the mysterious outsiders in the show are usually super positive characters; in "Elite", everyone has their dark sides. No one can be called a villain or a hero.

Unlike most school dramas, this series shows clichés differently and bets on human emotions. They have little time to develop all characters, only 8 episodes, but rapid growth has devastating consequences. "Elite" might be the best school drama in the last few years.

Season 1 Trailer: