There’s a lot to appreciate about the newest super-powered teen to hit our screens with flare and fierceness. Netflix’s animated supernatural action-adventure Jentry Chau vs. the Underworld pairs delightful manga-style artwork and animation with a tub-thumping soundtrack. Sporting a talented voice cast, anchored by Ali Wong as the titular heroine, it places the Chinese-American teen in the unlikely town of Riverfork, Texas, where a wily demon hunts her for the fiery powers that have brought her nothing but trouble.
DISCLAIMER: The following review contains spoilers for the first season of Jentry Chau vs. the Underworld. If you are not caught up with the series, you may not want to read on, but if you don’t care about spoilers, continue.
You Are Who You Choose To Be
At the heart of any good Hero’s Journey narrative is a lesson learned that unlocks the protagonist’s potential. If your writers are really showing off, that core lesson proves relevant to other characters as well. Jentry and her squad overcome their obstacles by realizing their choices matter. It takes courage to take control of one’s destiny. Whether you possess unexplainable fire hands, see visions that come true, or weren’t born human, it’s never easy to break away from a plan set out for you.
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Jentry’s relationships are beautifully complex and give viewers a nuanced understanding of her character. Despite losing her telemarketer parents at a very early age, she’s grown up loved and provided for by her great-aunt. Gugu (Lori Tan Chinn) even sent her to boarding school in Korea for eight years when things got a little … er, hot in Riverfork.
#TeenProblems
The series premiere, “Worst Birthday Ever,” opens with Jentry celebrating her upcoming 16th birthday with her friends in Korea. They’re a typical crew, and she’s a typical teen, right up until she’s attacked by Ed (Bowen Yang), a pint-sized jiangshi (Chinese hopping vampire), who lets slip that a Mogui (Chinese evil demon) plans to kill her and steal her soul. Not so typical, after all.
Suddenly, Gugu (who was presumably in Texas a minute earlier) is there, paralyzing Ed with a paper talisman and packing Jentry’s bags to go back to Riverfork to deal with the Mogui known as Mr. Cheng (Greg Chun). Gugu may be all about mah jong and making bao on the surface, but she’s a weapons expert and not one to be trifled with.
Back in the U.S. of A., Jentry faces a steep learning curve about Mr. Cheng and her powers as well as the startling fact her hometown has monetized the Great Fire she accidentally caused when she was eight. Running into her childhood best friend, Michael (AJ Beckles), makes coming home both comforting and awkward. Complicating things even further are Kit (Woosung), the handsome new kid, and Stella (Cristina Milizia), the potential bestie who is also Michael’s girlfriend. D’oh!
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There’s a hint of Buffy Summers in the double life Jentry must balance as she contends with various supernatural beings and navigates being the weird new kid at school. Of course, Gugu insists she must attend school because, as she puts it, “What am I keeping you alive for if you don’t get into Stanford?” The Chinese-American flavor here is sharply on point.
Let’s Talk About Pacing
From the moment Ed makes his appearance in that Korean alley, Jentry’s life becomes a rollercoaster of danger, confusion and demonic chaos. As each conflict is resolved, the next rears its (usually horrific-looking) head. Secrets are uncovered, truths revealed and harsh realities are faced. The narrative weaves the past into the present — sometimes quite literally — and forces Jentry to travel rough roads and suffer (more) losses.
It’s a lot. As fun as the crazy, careening plot twists are, it’s a bit much to binge. Also, I strongly suspect scenes were cut to maintain the velocity. Specifically, there’s a huge omission concerning Michael’s parents explaining his unexpected abilities. And we’re not talking musical ones.
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There’s also the issue of the Gugu timeline. As near as I can figure, in the single year between Jentry’s birth and her being orphaned, Gugu made a lot of poor choices. (Hey, Echo Wu and James Hamilton, meet me at the proverbial Camera Three: I got questions.)
Honestly, Jentry Chau vs. the Underworld Season 1 could’ve been 10 episodes. The Scheherazade-like ending of “A Night With Stars” would’ve been an amazing hook for a second season. As it played out, the final arc in the 13 episodes felt rushed, and considering the series’ general breakneck pace, that’s saying something.
From Here to the Zhong and Back Again
As I said, there’s much to appreciate about Jentry Chau vs. the Underworld. It’s an exciting story with a relatable central character supported by realistic friends and family (even Ed). Combining Chinese mythology, Chinese-American mentality, and Texan culture births fusion art at its most entertaining. (Not even kidding; I learned a lot about Texas.) The throughline messaging of choice, responsibility, and personal agency hits hard and true.
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Ultimately, Jentry Chau is a fresh and vibrant heroine with a good heart and some badass abilities. She wears her geeky love of anime and K-pop bands on her cowgirl fringed sleeves. The series thoroughly examines both her strengths and fallibility without minimizing either. It’s an anthem for a generation looking to slay their own demons.
Jentry Chau vs. the Underworld is streaming now on Netflix.
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