4 Reasons ‘Looking For Alaska’ Is Already Our New Obsession
STREAM EVERY EPISODE OF 'LOOKING FOR ALASKA', ONLY ON STAN.
Since the early 2000s, John Green’s bestseller Looking for Alaska has been a favourite of teens and Tumblr flat lays everywhere. We’ve longed for the day that we would see an on-screen adaptation of the enigmatic young adult novel about the students boarding at Alabama’s Culver Creek Prepatory School, and that day is almost here: every episode of the brand-new series drops on Stan on October 19.
All of the profound, angsty, lustful and totally relatable teen drama of this beloved coming-of-age story has been brought to life, and here’s why we’re already obsessed with Looking for Alaska.
#1 It’s been years in the making
Looking for Alaska follows an introspective teenage boy who becomes mesmerised with the beautiful and troubled Alaska Young, but is forced to confront life’s philosophical challenges when tragedy strikes. This story, originally published in 2005, became the fixation of an entire generation, and now, over a decade later, we get to see that magic play out on screen.
After years of fan-made faux trailers and fantasy casting, we can experience a fully fleshed-out portrayal of everything that makes the book so iconic. It captures the magnetism of our heroine, the relatable wide-eyed immaturity of our protagonist, the emotional intensity of their escapades, and the enchanting poeticism of their dialogue.
In fact, Looking for Alaska is one of the most famously quotable books and we are 100% here for artsy scenes with dialogue gems like, “Suffering is universal. It’s the one thing Buddhists, Christians, and Muslims are all worried about”.
Hook the aesthetic, poetic teen drama into my veins.
#2 The cast isn’t too shabby
In the tradition of teen TV, the main characters are overwhelmingly pleasing to watch on screen. Translation: they’re really hot. Just like our protagonist, you’ll find it’s impossible not to fall in love with Kristine Froseth as the enchanting title character Alaska. It looks like we have a new Queen Bee of the teen TV scene and she’s actually got mad talent (The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair, anyone?) Ergo: Obsessed.
But we need to talk about Charlie Plummer, who plays our leading man Miles ‘Pudge’ Halter, and how he is a dead-ringer for Chad Michael Murray circa 2003??? I mean look at him:
And look at CMM in the Lindsay Lohan masterpiece Freaky Friday:
Image: Walt Disney Pictures
Uncanny. Reason enough to stan.
#3 The rightful rulers of the teen TV genre are back, baby
Strap in, because if anyone can wrap the intense experience of being a teen into a perfect on-screen package, it’s the creators that brought us The O.C. and Gossip Girl. Yep, Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage have yet again put their expertise to work to give Looking for Alaska an irresistibly addictive force. They nailed both the emotional nuance and melodrama that makes this story so captivating. It’s just what they do.
The show is actually set in the distant pre-smartphone past of 2005, right when our obsession with The O.C. was fresh and all-consuming. There’s even a scene in Looking for Alaska where the characters are watching an episode of The O.C., which is an appropriate nod to the passing of the baton of our cult obsession from one teen show to another.
#4 The soundtrack is simply lit
Image: Alfonso Bresciani / Hulu
Staying true to the era, Looking for Alaska is packed with hits from the early ‘00s. Pretty much all the music in the show is actually from 2005, either as originals or new covers of beloved tracks. It’s an epic nostalgia-fest that plunges you right into the rollercoaster of your youth. What a ride.
The soundtrack was specially curated by Alexandra Patsavas – the legend behind the most memorable music moments of The O.C., The Twilight Saga, and Grey’s Anatomy. So, yes, it’s emotional, playful, and perfect. Between indie staples like Bloc Party and Sufjan Stevens covers, your new favourite playlist is sorted.
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Get ready for the brand new series Looking for Alaska premiering October 19 – only on Stan. Start your 30-day free trial now!