Carol and the End of the World is an existential adult animation about a woman holding onto normality and simplicity as the world ends around her. The show came out on Netflix on Dec. 15 and has a distinctive art style which is simple yet unique. I find this show as a hidden treasure, given I have seen no one talk about it even though the show is worth a watch—especially if you enjoyed BoJack Horseman.
The show is another pre-apocalyptic show where there are seven months remaining before the world ends. Everyone in the world is rushing to live their best life—everyone but Carol, who finds joy in the calmer aspects of life. She especially feels disconnected from her family: her nudist parents who are in a polyamorous relationship with their caregiver, Michael, and her sister, Elena, who is skydiving and learning French. I think this approach is a little refreshing with all the high action apocalypse movies taking over Hollywood. It’s nice to see a feel good show about a woman just looking for some normalcy.
Carol is voiced by Martha Kelly, and her monotone voice perfectly fits the character of Carol and the style of the show. I think Kelly and all the other voice actors did a phenomenal job.
I believe the best part of this show is how the writers never try to fix Carol by making her more adventurous. A good example of this is shown with her relationship with Elena. Her sister strives to be adventurous and live her best life. but Carol enjoys a simple life and finds joys in the mundane like an Applebee’s or a walk in the park. In other shows, the goal may be to “fix” Carol and make her more like her sister, but instead the show appreciates and depicts that both characters are valid in the way they achieve contentment as the world ends.
Even with this, the show doesn’t shy away from showing that Elena’s source of happiness isn’t as sustainable as Carol’s, given Elena films her adventures even though the videos will be destroyed when the world ends. Her happiness is less a freedom due to the end of the world and instead a performance. But Carol’s happiness is more viable, finding joy in the everyday activities and not having a calling to be risky or free like everyone else in the world.
Carol takes comfort in the accounting job that she takes on and uses it as a distraction from the outside world. Through her job she creates friendships and a higher sense of self worth. Through work, the creators of the show emphasize how hard it is to make friends, especially as an adult, shown through Carol wanting to be friends with Donna. They dance around each other and the show depicts how they both want to be friends, but also are anxious and distant. I think the way the show handles their want and need for friendship is a really good portrayal of real life. It makes the characters feel real instead of just perfect specimens they threw into a storyline.
The show can often be boring or dull, but once you fight past the slowness of the show, it’s worth it. The humor is adult, and this is the kind of show I wouldn’t recommend you watch with your parents. It should be noted the show is rated R for the adult humor and sexual content. I’ve heard from others a criticism of the show’s artstyle being “weird,” but in my opinion, the unique art is creative and charming.
In conclusion I would give this show a solid 6.5/10 because of the style of the show and the story line is something I personally have not seen before. The reason I couldn’t give it a higher rating is because the pacing of the show feels too slow for me and a lot of the jokes fell flat in my opinion. Other than that I do recommend this show to anyone who enjoys adult animation, existential shows and deadpan humor.
