“A wild French Netflix original Osmosis appeared” and I immediately got the Black Mirror vibes (I mean who hasn’t). However, if you’re expecting a Black Mirror-level mindfuck, Osmosis won’t give you that. Storyline is similar to a Black Mirror episode called Hang the DJ — I identified those two FAR too much as both have a weird (and great) take on one of the world’s greatest (!) problems: dating and technology. Kind of like dark Tinder -wow that sounds absolutely terrifying- but the only purpose is “to find your soulmate”
Also, a little similar with another Netflix original called Maniac, in terms of the process of the experiment (minus the soulmate part, ofc). Additionally, another similarity would be in the rival app of Osmosis, Perfect Match, participants live inside of a storyline they chose (through VR) — mostly for pleasure purposes. In Osmosis the app, you’re not stuck in an app, so to speak.
**EHEM, SPOILERS**
About the soulmate issue, I call an absolute BULLSHIT. Ok, participants have been placed an implant + took a pill and then after a while, they see a vision of their soulmates. AND they meet their soulmates, well some meet in an awkward way, but my problem is the participant KNOWS that person is his/her soulmate however, the soulmate has no idea whatsoever. then, they almost immediately get attracted??? Unrealistic af.
1- that never happens in real life. well sure you can tell me it’s just a TV series, or “dude that’s why it’s a soulmate… like you know instantly that person is your other half” *yawns aggressively*
2-I’m a huuuuge fan of sci-fi but also very keen on nanotechnology related neuroscientific fuckery linked with romance stuff (neat way to describe Zeynep, keep going). So, I have every right to be triggered.
What I really liked about Osmosis is that they shared stories of the participants, as well as the creators of the app. To see why and how they came up with the idea, their own struggles in life, the troublesome corporate stuff, their loneliness, the risks they’re taking etc. is brilliant to watch. Also, my heart pounded when I saw the androgynous character, Billie, such an important representation! (kudos to Yuming Hey)
Can Osmosis be the future of today’s dating apps? Probably. I guess that’s why those kinda plots are terrifying, because they can actually become our reality one day. The ever growing technology toppled with people’s literal hunger to find a lover, if not a soulmate, would make a ‘Perfect Match’ in today’s world *insert capitalist fairy dust here*. Then here lies the question: “If science could guarantee true love, would you say yes?”
