Netflix’s new show, “North of North,” is not the sitcom I expected. Rather than making me laugh, I was either cringing or reflecting on the reality of being a woman.
From the first scene, “North of North” lost my interest with a cliché introduction from the main character, Siaja, talking directly to the camera about how terrible her life is. She is a 26-year-old woman who married out of high school and now has a seven-year-old daughter, Bun. Siaja goes on to explain how trapped she feels in her life with an unsupportive husband who thinks he is all that. After a near-death incident, she decides she will leave him and take her life into her own hands.
This show markets itself as a sitcom, but the first two episodes lacked the jokes and uplifting spirit to belong in that category. As Siaja learns to fight her own battles, her struggles are not a source of humor, but a reality check to what it is like to start over as a woman. Her struggles with her job, her parents and her husband were too real for me to find humor in. When “North of North” tried to fit in a joke, it was usually with an uncomfortable situation that made me want to turn off the show.
It would have been a more enjoyable watch if it had categorized itself as a drama and allowed itself to lean into the chaos of Siaja’s life. I know many women who can relate to the struggles Siaja is dealing with, but with the forced humor and sitcom setup, there is no space for the viewer to sit with the heaviness of the situation. Allowing the audience time to understand what Siaja is going through would have strengthened the feminist message the show is going for.
However, I was very excited to see new, talented actors on screen who were bringing awareness to Inuk culture in a natural way. The characters’ strong personalities and the unique setting saved the show for me. Overall, the show did not meet my expectations, but it is worth a watch if you want an inspiring story of an Inuk mother doing her best to improve her life.
