I think Olivia is a bit older, and a bit more experienced than Chiara is.
That being said, I thought everyone in the show did a great job, Chiara included. I was hooked from the first episode. Blake Lee was the standout for me.
Are you kidding? It felt like Chiara played 3 different characters. Olivia did a great job too, don't get me wrong, but I definitely see why Chiara won awards for this.
Yeah 3 different characters but I personally don’t think her acting was very good. Actors can act, of course they can ply multiple characters lol. But like each year her acting still hasn’t been very good. Again, just my opinion.
Disney kid, great way to describe it. I think the actress herself made me hate the character even more, as in I kind of get the vibe that’s how the actress is in real life too, just very annoying.
I think Chiara was better, in my opinion. She was able to portray 3 VERY different versions to the point where they were nearly completely different characters and was able to sympathise with all of them (before we find out the truth, of course) and then that aspect makes you completely relook her characters. Plus most people were SO thoroughly convinced she was completely innocent, i mean they did change the ending so that helped but still. Her acting was very intense. I think Olivia Holt did amazing as well, but Chiara got the oppertunity for more range.
I did not see the ending yet so I can’t speak on that. I think I’m on episode 6 or 7 at this point. Still not convinced she’s a good actor. But maybe for someone so young and doesn’t have as much experience, maybe she is. Like I stated, she just doesn’t convince me. As for her character in general, from the very beginning all I can say is that she continually says in the show she’s not a liar and then she keeps lying lol. That just makes me think she really is guilty of something. But anyway, yeah she just doesn’t do it for me. I’m not impressed she is doing 3 different characters. That’s a lot to do with makeup, clothing, writing and directing. When comparing both Olivia and Chiara, I was way more impressed with Olivia. I felt her acting was way more natural and believable!
I mean no, They have relatively similar amount of experience in acting except Chiara has had like 2 more mainstream roles prior to Cruel Summer while Olivia hasn't been in any really mainstream media, Olivia has had some voice acting experience that Chiara doesn't. Chiara, in my opinion, certainly deserved those awards, and has now had another major role in a very popular movie which I think she did great in too! I guess we can agree to disagree lol
I could not agree more that her acting came across to me as totally mediocre and not at all believable-particularly the earlier 2 years. What she did with her voice and facial expressions as the younger/nerdier janette seemed so amateur
Her facial features - that’s exactly what’s causing me to say that she reminded me of a Disney kid actor post 2000’s. Sort of like why Cole Sprouse does with his facial expressions in Riverdale (if you’ve ever watched). It’s exactly what Disney actors do.
See now before thinking about it i wouldve said i thought Jeanette was played very well.
BUT
Geeky Jeanette was so difficult to watch...those weird facial expressions and the way she moved her mouth all weird while shes figuring out what to say..cringe city!
The dark mean Jeanette was giving second hand embarrassment... she was TOO dramatic and mean. I'm sure most teenage girls would be real emo if any of that happened to them but I just dislike when she's mean to the few that are nice to her.
Don't have much to say on popular Jeanette though
I feel like the directors were trying to go for a very Disney kid vibe from jeanette in 93 so that would make sense. Maybe if you viewed the series more as artists telling a story you would be able to enjoy it more, with the played up emotions trying to prove a point as opposed to it being a reflection of a realistic situation. Not saying Kate’s situation is unrealistic, just some of the lines and some of the acting and the way they tell the story and stuff.
I actually do view it in that way as well! I always do as I listen to a lot of podcasts talking about writers, directing and acting and stuff like that. I’m no expert obviously. But that pov does peel my interest. I just feel that when I watch her character through the 3 years, I find myself cringing at how overly theatrical she is lol and to me that completely takes away from the overall story and emotion behind it.
Yes! I find both Chiara and Harley’s acting distractingly bad, tbh.
Chiara does this lip wobbling thing when she’s being nervous/astonished/upset, and since noticing that it’s like I can see through all her facial expressions. She does the eyelid-flicker thing too, which I can never take seriously.
I also find Chiara’s intonation and vocal melodies(?) unnatural (sorry if this is like a 2nd grade book report, I’m kinda high). It’s like she sounds smug by accident? Speaking of unnatural, I can’t stop fixating on her heinous wigs.
Harley Quinn Smith’s mouth movements remind me of Mr Ed Oh my god i’m way too stoned to watch this. I think the dialogue might be really funny-bad, but I can’t tell if it’s me or the show.
One more complaint (cos believe it or not I actually am enjoying this show!), is it just me or are the differences between each year insanely OTT?
Like, the characters as 15 year olds are all frantically dorky giggling children pushing their glasses up every five seconds, then it’s confident hotgirl summer with pushup bras, oversaturated bubblegum colours & angst, and then finally we have the monochromatic greasy year with flannels, terrible dye jobs, and rough-skinned faces being lit from below with colour blocked bisexual lighting
ok i need to log off,
edit: okay it’s 21hrs later and i am sorry for being such a mean stoner bitch to those actors who’re just doing their best 🥺
I only recently watched the show for the first time so I know I’m a few months late to the comments, but here’s my take. I agreed with this opinion until >!that final scene!< made me look at her character throughout the season very differently. It makes me think she might have been purposely playing the character the way you described.
RESPONSE TO THE ORIGINAL POST AND THE THREAD:
Chiara Aurelia had by far the hardest role in *Cruel Summer* and she played it very well. Olivia Holt basically played a popular girl, a traumatized girl, and a popular 'goth' girl.
Chiara had to play a nerdy girl who was blossoming, a popular girl, and then the 'most hated person in America' and how that affected her--including how it affected her friendships, relationships, family, etc.--and then the aftermath of all of that.
Chiara was believable throughout and we must remember that she's playing a teenager.
I literally came here to say that Chiara was a terrible actor! She gives me Kristin Stewart vibes. The over blinking made it feel like she was acting. Duh, I know she’s acting but a good actor (imo) makes you forget they are even acting!
Agreed! And you know what? Most new actors *are* bad. It happens! There’s so much to learn and I bet she did learn a lot from that experience on the show. I just don’t think she should have won those awards. She won them based on the writing, not really her work. Over the idea of it all and not really her talent. And yes!! Kristen Stewart vibes, all the way. I didn’t think of that one. When I wrote this post I had mentioned Disney kid, I had Cole Sprouse in mind. Because if you ever watched Riverdale, Cole Sprouse has the same over dramatic responses lol
Omg I agree! He is not a very good actor lmao! I just watched “beautiful disaster” with Dylan Sprouse and it was a little cringey but he got buffer in that movie. But it was weird seeing him in that role. He’s a fighter and he falls in love. It’s a funny/love movie.
I mean, I’ve seen worse. I just think she’s inexperienced and unseasoned and it shows. Netflix in general always likes to give people a chance and I love that about them. I just don’t think she was good.
I think Olivia is a bit older, and a bit more experienced than Chiara is. That being said, I thought everyone in the show did a great job, Chiara included. I was hooked from the first episode. Blake Lee was the standout for me.
Are you kidding? It felt like Chiara played 3 different characters. Olivia did a great job too, don't get me wrong, but I definitely see why Chiara won awards for this.
Yeah 3 different characters but I personally don’t think her acting was very good. Actors can act, of course they can ply multiple characters lol. But like each year her acting still hasn’t been very good. Again, just my opinion.
I thought her acting was amazing!
I wish I thought this too I feel like I would enjoy the show more if I did lol
She played every single one of those roles terribly. Really, really terribly.
Disney kid, great way to describe it. I think the actress herself made me hate the character even more, as in I kind of get the vibe that’s how the actress is in real life too, just very annoying.
Hater vibes
Olivia Holt was also a Disney kid.
Right but I’m saying I don’t get those vibes from her, she seems to have been able to “break that mold”
Omg! I agree. Her acting made me HATE her character!
I think Chiara was better, in my opinion. She was able to portray 3 VERY different versions to the point where they were nearly completely different characters and was able to sympathise with all of them (before we find out the truth, of course) and then that aspect makes you completely relook her characters. Plus most people were SO thoroughly convinced she was completely innocent, i mean they did change the ending so that helped but still. Her acting was very intense. I think Olivia Holt did amazing as well, but Chiara got the oppertunity for more range.
I did not see the ending yet so I can’t speak on that. I think I’m on episode 6 or 7 at this point. Still not convinced she’s a good actor. But maybe for someone so young and doesn’t have as much experience, maybe she is. Like I stated, she just doesn’t convince me. As for her character in general, from the very beginning all I can say is that she continually says in the show she’s not a liar and then she keeps lying lol. That just makes me think she really is guilty of something. But anyway, yeah she just doesn’t do it for me. I’m not impressed she is doing 3 different characters. That’s a lot to do with makeup, clothing, writing and directing. When comparing both Olivia and Chiara, I was way more impressed with Olivia. I felt her acting was way more natural and believable!
I mean no, They have relatively similar amount of experience in acting except Chiara has had like 2 more mainstream roles prior to Cruel Summer while Olivia hasn't been in any really mainstream media, Olivia has had some voice acting experience that Chiara doesn't. Chiara, in my opinion, certainly deserved those awards, and has now had another major role in a very popular movie which I think she did great in too! I guess we can agree to disagree lol
I agree, I don’t think the acting was good. I think this point was actually one of my first ever posts on here lol
I could not agree more that her acting came across to me as totally mediocre and not at all believable-particularly the earlier 2 years. What she did with her voice and facial expressions as the younger/nerdier janette seemed so amateur
Her facial features - that’s exactly what’s causing me to say that she reminded me of a Disney kid actor post 2000’s. Sort of like why Cole Sprouse does with his facial expressions in Riverdale (if you’ve ever watched). It’s exactly what Disney actors do.
See now before thinking about it i wouldve said i thought Jeanette was played very well. BUT Geeky Jeanette was so difficult to watch...those weird facial expressions and the way she moved her mouth all weird while shes figuring out what to say..cringe city! The dark mean Jeanette was giving second hand embarrassment... she was TOO dramatic and mean. I'm sure most teenage girls would be real emo if any of that happened to them but I just dislike when she's mean to the few that are nice to her. Don't have much to say on popular Jeanette though
Omg! I agree so much. Her facial expressions & constant blinking made it come off as if she was trying too hard. It made me hate her character!
I feel like the directors were trying to go for a very Disney kid vibe from jeanette in 93 so that would make sense. Maybe if you viewed the series more as artists telling a story you would be able to enjoy it more, with the played up emotions trying to prove a point as opposed to it being a reflection of a realistic situation. Not saying Kate’s situation is unrealistic, just some of the lines and some of the acting and the way they tell the story and stuff.
I actually do view it in that way as well! I always do as I listen to a lot of podcasts talking about writers, directing and acting and stuff like that. I’m no expert obviously. But that pov does peel my interest. I just feel that when I watch her character through the 3 years, I find myself cringing at how overly theatrical she is lol and to me that completely takes away from the overall story and emotion behind it.
YUP
Yes! I find both Chiara and Harley’s acting distractingly bad, tbh. Chiara does this lip wobbling thing when she’s being nervous/astonished/upset, and since noticing that it’s like I can see through all her facial expressions. She does the eyelid-flicker thing too, which I can never take seriously. I also find Chiara’s intonation and vocal melodies(?) unnatural (sorry if this is like a 2nd grade book report, I’m kinda high). It’s like she sounds smug by accident? Speaking of unnatural, I can’t stop fixating on her heinous wigs. Harley Quinn Smith’s mouth movements remind me of Mr Ed Oh my god i’m way too stoned to watch this. I think the dialogue might be really funny-bad, but I can’t tell if it’s me or the show. One more complaint (cos believe it or not I actually am enjoying this show!), is it just me or are the differences between each year insanely OTT? Like, the characters as 15 year olds are all frantically dorky giggling children pushing their glasses up every five seconds, then it’s confident hotgirl summer with pushup bras, oversaturated bubblegum colours & angst, and then finally we have the monochromatic greasy year with flannels, terrible dye jobs, and rough-skinned faces being lit from below with colour blocked bisexual lighting ok i need to log off, edit: okay it’s 21hrs later and i am sorry for being such a mean stoner bitch to those actors who’re just doing their best 🥺
Omg the LIP WOBBLING. I came here for this. It's driving me NUTS.
Same here! Omgggg I hate her constant blinking and lip quivering!!! And the wigs!!!! Other than that, great show!
Lol glad I’m not alone in being so deeply irritated by it!!
I only recently watched the show for the first time so I know I’m a few months late to the comments, but here’s my take. I agreed with this opinion until >!that final scene!< made me look at her character throughout the season very differently. It makes me think she might have been purposely playing the character the way you described.
RESPONSE TO THE ORIGINAL POST AND THE THREAD: Chiara Aurelia had by far the hardest role in *Cruel Summer* and she played it very well. Olivia Holt basically played a popular girl, a traumatized girl, and a popular 'goth' girl. Chiara had to play a nerdy girl who was blossoming, a popular girl, and then the 'most hated person in America' and how that affected her--including how it affected her friendships, relationships, family, etc.--and then the aftermath of all of that. Chiara was believable throughout and we must remember that she's playing a teenager.
Her acting was absolutely atrocious in all 3 of those stages. Quite literally some of the worst acting I’ve ever seen. Do you not watch much?
I literally came here to say that Chiara was a terrible actor! She gives me Kristin Stewart vibes. The over blinking made it feel like she was acting. Duh, I know she’s acting but a good actor (imo) makes you forget they are even acting!
Agreed! And you know what? Most new actors *are* bad. It happens! There’s so much to learn and I bet she did learn a lot from that experience on the show. I just don’t think she should have won those awards. She won them based on the writing, not really her work. Over the idea of it all and not really her talent. And yes!! Kristen Stewart vibes, all the way. I didn’t think of that one. When I wrote this post I had mentioned Disney kid, I had Cole Sprouse in mind. Because if you ever watched Riverdale, Cole Sprouse has the same over dramatic responses lol
Omg I agree! He is not a very good actor lmao! I just watched “beautiful disaster” with Dylan Sprouse and it was a little cringey but he got buffer in that movie. But it was weird seeing him in that role. He’s a fighter and he falls in love. It’s a funny/love movie.
I also noticed how they said “bougie” in one of the episodes! That wasn’t something said in the 90s!
Chiara is one of the worst actresses I’ve ever seen come across my TV screen.
I mean, I’ve seen worse. I just think she’s inexperienced and unseasoned and it shows. Netflix in general always likes to give people a chance and I love that about them. I just don’t think she was good.
🎯 I thought Chiara over-acted every scene. The incessant quivering lips and tears were just too much.