Sydney Sweeney is one of today’s biggest stars, but her underrated Netflix comedy series,Everything Sucks!, fell completely under the radar. Sweeney has been acting professionally since 2009, but she didn’t land on the A-list until 2019, with her breakout role as Cassie Howard in HBO’s controversial teen drama series,Euphoria.
From there, Sweeney has continued to be a dominating presence on both the small and big screens. She notably starred in the season 1cast ofThe White Lotus, HBO’s smash-hit water cooler series, and also made headlines for her role in the 2023 romantic comedy filmAnyone But You, opposite Glen Powell.
Between these splashy roles andSweeney’s controversial American Eagle jeans campaign, it’s hard to remember a time when she wasn’t ultra-famous. However, back in 2018, Sweeney was relatively unknown when she starred in Netflix’sEverything Sucks!. The short-lived series isa heartfelt teen comedy about a group of ’90s teenagers growing upin Oregon, and is one of Sweeney’s best roles.
Sydney Sweeney Played Emaline Addario In Everything Sucks!
Emaline Is More Complex Than She Initially Seems
If there’s one word to describe Emaline Adario, it’sbig.A junior drama club member, Emaline craves attentionlike it’s an oasis in the desert. When Emaline is in the room, you know it and are instantly spellbound by her over-the-top theatrics — whether you like it or not.
Emaline wields her drama club power and social capital with an iron fist, and in the hands of a lesser actor, it would have been easy to make the character a one-note bully. However,Sydney imbues her with such layers and complexity that we know there’s more to Emaline than what’s on the surface, even when she’s at her most obnoxious.
LikeSweeney’s most famous character, Cassie Howard, Emaline is deeply insecure and vulnerable beneath her bravado. She defines herself by her passionate romance with fellow drama club member, Oliver Schermerhorn, so when a huge twist rocks her relationship, she’s left reeling.
This is when Emaline is at her most interesting, asshe begins to explore her identity and sexuality in earnestfor the first time. Her scenes with Kate Messner, who has harbored a crush on Emaline and admired her from afar, are touching and sincere, and made me wish I had characters like these on my TV screen when I was growing up.
Everything Sucks! Didn’t Get The Love It Deserved When It Came Out
Its Tepid Reviews Missed What Made The Show Great
Everything Sucks!released to middling reviews, ultimately netting a 72% on Rotten Tomatoes. While critics largely seemed to enjoy the sweet tone of the show, many dinged it for leaning too heavily on the nostalgia of its mid-’90s setting.
This is somewhat fair, asEverything Sucks!does seem to go out of its way to remind us the kids are living in 1996, but it doesn’t hurt the show. If anything,it’s a fun reminder of ’90s youthhoodfor those who grew up in the decade, embracing the period the wayStranger Thingsdoes the ’80s.
The show is also a lot more than “sweet”. It’s a coming-of-age story that’sauthentic and relatable, and addresses teen mental healthin ways that will make many young audiences feel seen, all while maintaining enough levity to keep us thoroughly entertained.
Why Netflix Canceled Everything Sucks! After Just 1 Season
Not Enough People Finished The Series
Upon its release,Everything Sucks!immediately drew comparisons to the cult comedy teen seriesFreaks and Geeks. Both were period, suburban-set shows, both had a winning blend of humor and heart, and sadly, both were canceled after just one season.
Like many shows, thereason forEverything Sucks!’s cancellationwas simple — viewership.Netflix found that many people who started the series didn’t complete it, with a majority dropping off before even finishing the first episode.
Admittedly, the show does take a while to get going, but it’s a shame that it didn’t connect with enough viewers for them to see it through, especially becausethe back half of the season is whenEverything Sucks!is at its best. This is when Kate, whose storylines got by far the most critical praise, takes on a larger role as she and Emaline explore their feelings for one another.
It’s hard to say why so few people embracedEverything Sucks!, especially when other Netflix teen series have thrived. Perhaps it lacked the built-in fanbase of ashow likeHeartstopper, which is based on a popular graphic novel. Or maybe it needed a big name to draw in audiences, likeSex Educationhad with Gillian Anderson.
Setting aside the fact that the teen actors have aged out of their roles, it would be interesting to see howEverything Sucks!would fare in viewership today given Sydney Sweeney’s star power. So far, she’s the only cast member to make it big, but given the immense talent of the other actors, it’s only a matter of time before they join her on the A-list.
