The wait is over. The first Middle Eastern Netflix original series, Jinn, has now dropped on the online streaming service, making it available in 190 countries around the globe. Jinn is a five-episode series, directed by Lebanese filmmaker Mir-Jean Bou Chaaya. The show, set in Jordan, was given the go ahead by the Royal Film Commission in Jordan (RFC), in an attempt to highlight the country’s history and to promote tourism.
The glamorous red carpet premiere, hosted by Netflix, brought together the cast, crew and biggest Jordanian celebrities and socialites. The VP of International Originals at Netflix, Kelly Luegenbieh, stated that as the Middle East is rich with exciting and thrilling stories, and connecting them to global audience will be revolutionary. Luegenbieh described the series as “a distinctly Arab story but with universal themes of love, friendship, humor and adventure which will appeal to young adults everywhere.”
The series is a blend of modern-day teenage lifestyle in Amman and the ancient city of Petra, which acts as the primary link to the supernatural power, the Jinn. The plot follows the teenagers as they attempt to navigate between the Jinn’s good and evil powers. Although the show has many supernatural features, it also realistically portrays the daily lives of teenagers, with their on-screen romances, hazy friendships and challenging interactions with adults. The series also touches on sensitive topics such as bullying, drugs and domestic violence.
So far, the series has received very mixed reviews. While some people are commending the series for its gripping plot and interesting characters, others are far more critical, suggesting that it depicts Jordan as a country of loose morals. While some regional news outlets have reported that the Jordanian authorities have threatened to stop the airing of the show because it is “insulting Jordanian society and violating public morals”, so far, no action has been taken.
In our opinion, the series leaves a lot to be desired. A thriller series should convey an atmosphere of palpable tension and excitement for the viewer, keeping them at the edge of their seat. This is not the case with Jinn, where everything seems almost too predictable. Constrained by five-episodes, the writers seem to have been attempting to compress the various plotlines. The result is an overall unclear plot for the audience to follow. Contrary to expectations, the series does not grip the audience and viewers may find themselves scrolling through their phones rather than watching with bated breath.