I’m not sure why the torture of children is such a beloved (for lack of a better word) genre in the world. I mean, we tend to flock towards anything that is equal parts sad and torturous. Is it somewhat thrilling? Or is it simply something that makes us feel something? I’m really not sure, but every so often we get a new show or movie that thrives on the torture of young minds and the effects of adult evil on young children. It’s awareness, yes, I suppose so, but it’s also debilitating. Deliver Me tells the story of two young boys, Billy and Dogge, who are dragged into a life of crime in their teens. Things go completely out of hand, and one of them shoots the other. The show is a non-linear detective procedural about what happened between the two and how much bigger the picture really is. In its meager 5 episodes, the Swedish drama series attempts to provide a holistic picture of childhood trauma, and it does a pretty darn good job at it. There’s nothing happy about this show; it’s quite bleak from start to finish, leaving you quite depressed, in all honesty.
The opening scene of the show is a sign of how tragic the rest of it will get. On a snowy day in front of a desolate swimming pool (as if it isn’t cold enough), a bloodied body lies, and a teenager holds a gun in his hand. It does leave quite the impression—the blonde boy with the gun in his hand–a Black boy bleeding on the floor. But Deliver Me has nothing to do with race. It’s a story about child abuse and growing up too soon, and that’s it. It never makes you feel like a certain set of people are the only criminals and the others are saints; it’s a mixed crowd, just like how it works in the real world. Despite the dramatic events, the series feels quite real, and there’s a sense of lingered urgency throughout its five episodes.
How do juvenile delinquents come about? At the heart of it, that’s what Deliver Me is trying to answer in a straightforward way. It delivers for the most part, but I was still left feeling a little bit meh about the series. I’m not quite sure why. Maybe I did find myself getting occasionally bored because, despite the nuanced theme of the series, the narrative is quite standard. It seems like it could possibly be a personal problem, but if you’re one to bore easily if something seems familiar, then I think you’d feel the same way. However, that doesn’t take away from the fact that the themes explored in the series are quite noteworthy and well done.
The narrative is visually bleak, and everyone looks tired and distraught from start to finish. This isn’t some glamorous drama show that also dabbles in child trauma; it’s solely focused on the reasons kids become embroiled in disaster. Every actor looks natural, which is, I suppose, a nothing unusual in Swedish media. The only other one I’ve seen is Young Royals, and I can’t help but think that they’re ahead of the game by not putting unrealistic standards on their celebrities. I think it’s quite important to acknowledge that fact because the series also paints a natural picture rather than one that is colorful and “entertaining.”
I suppose as a miniseries, the show delivers an impactful message, but maybe it’s the story that feels a little bit incomplete or simply underdone. Again, I can’t quite put a finger on it, but as unsettling as the series is, I’ll probably still forget it within the next month. I don’t think it’s fair to blame the show as such for this situation; it’s just the platter of media we get to consume every day that leaves me feeling this way. Maybe that’s also why I’m unable to put into words exactly why Deliver Me didn’t work for me. The cast is fantastic, especially the young child stars, who give perfect performances that exude a combination of shame, grief, fear, anxiety, and childish innocence. Both Yasir Hassan and Olle Strand are quite impeccable in their roles, and it feels like they’ve actually lived through such an experience, which is a terrifying prospect on its own. Yusra Warsama, Billy’s mother, is understated and beautiful. I wish there was more of her, but I suppose with the miniseries format, there’s only so much we can get. Little Kid Tusse, played by Mohamed Abdirahhman Koje, is especially impressive as the younger brother of Billy. Solomon Nije presents an extorted expression through the series that makes you dwell on the thought of who is truly responsible. And lastly, Ardaan Esmaili as Farid is perfectly contemplative throughout the series. Guilty and lost in thought. Of course, I can’t go without mentioning Beri Gerwise from Young Royals, who is excellent as a cop but has limited screen time.
I suppose the title of the series is a poignant reminder of the big message of this story. Is society capable of delivering justice? At the end of the day, despite my confusion about why the show isn’t perfect, I’d urge you to give it a go if thrillers are your thing. The show is an adaptation of a best-selling novel, so you can be quite certain the narrative will not disappoint. The show is realistic, heartfelt, and thrilling at the same time. If violence is not for you, then skip this one, because not only is it violent, but it’s quite detailed in its presentation. There’s a lot of profanity, drug use, blood, and gruesome depictions of violence inflicted on children. I’d give Deliver Me 3 out of 5 stars because it’s certainly a thought-provoking series. Additionally, I’m going to keep my eyes peeled for more Swedish media because it seems they’re interested in delivering some serious TV.
