Netflix tends to make shows with the same premise as School Spirits, and they don’t always land well. However, within minutes of watching this Paramount + show, I could tell that this one would be different.
School Spirits is a short series about a ghost who is trying to solve her own murder. However, the show is ripe with good music, the power of friendship, and the complexities of relationships. The show provides raw takes on the realities of high school students and the beautiful things that can come from chaos. The plot develops in thirty-minute episodes that are sure to leave you wanting more.
The filming appeals to those who appreciate a good aesthetic, with its darker tones and vignette-style border. Many time jumps are included, but they are clear and easy to follow because it looks like they were shot through an old camcorder. While this was an amazing start, the depth of the characters proved to be even more alluring.
Maddie Nears, the main character, repeatedly proved herself to be selfless and passionate, even as a ghost. Even in death, she wanted desperately for the people around her to continue with their lives and heal from her loss.
Her two friends, Nicole and Simon, are symbols of the different ways people deal with grief. Nicole is ready to let go while always remembering her friend. Simon continues to dwell on the past and dive deeper into the memories, even if it’s costing him his future and his friendships.
The two antagonists-turned-protagonists, Grace and Xavier, can serve as symbols for stereotypes. Grace, being the rich and popular teenage dream, finds it hard to live up to what people think of her. In her quest to keep up her image, she partakes in illegal activities. When she finally realizes how her actions affect others, she slowly lets go of who she used to be before. She becomes happier and more carefree in the process.
Meanwhile, Xavier is the quiet, seemingly dark kid. People frequently judge him for not conforming to the average teenager, but he never once changes because he is secure in who he is. Xavier and Grace are great examples of being who you are, without any cares as to what you’re expected to be.
The soundtrack evokes emotion and perfectly fits the vibe. With songs from Phoebe Bridgers, Lizzy McAlpine, Stephen Dawes, Alexandra Savior, and many more culturally relevant musicians, it manages to enhance the feelings of the audience during the most important moments. The songs perfectly fit with the story of Maddie Nears, while sometimes being a little tongue-in-cheek.
While you can certainly take it for what it is—a story about a ghost girl trying to solve her murder—the show becomes even more beautiful when you see it as a show that anecdotes on the bigger picture of death. School Spirits captures the way a death can leave everything behind in ruins, but it also portrays how unity can be found in that same destruction.
Tragically cinematic and heartbreakingly raw, School Spirits is worth watching for anyone who likes a murder mystery, a spark of romance, and a message.
