Kübra Review: Netflix’s Turkish Series Dominated by the Frenzy of Power Through Knowledge
Cast: Çagatay Ulusoy, Ahsen Eroglu, Aslihan Malbora, Deniz Isin, Ahmet Mümtaz Taylan, Nazan Kesal, Aytek Sayan, Cihan Talay
Director: Durul Taylan, Yagmur Taylan
Streaming Platform: Netflix
Filmyhype.com Ratings: 3.5/5 (three and a half stars)
Kübra is a new Turkish series that is becoming popular on social media and Netflix. A success that seemed pre-announced for this 8-episode series which mixes the religious theme with the typical dark and mysterious atmospheres of thrillers and joins the line of increasingly popular Turkish titles on Netflix. But what’s so special about Kübra? What is so intriguing about this series and what does it hide beneath its surface? Kubra is a surprising product that manages to modernize the genre of mystery and supernatural TV series, from both a stylistic and thematic perspective. Straddling genres, it mixes a series of stylistic features with originality. Instead of deciding whether to be a graphic novel or a novel, Kubra chooses to be both, bringing to the screen a story to be enjoyed in one sitting!
We should evolve, but instead, we become more and more selfish, more and more greedy, and more indifferent to the pain of our neighbors. If there is one thing that the pandemic has highlighted, it is that the value of life – for human beings themselves – almost seems to exist no longer. In such a difficult context, Kubra asks us to reflect on what we believe. Each of us believes we are unique, irreplaceable, and inimitable, but we are all the same, all oriented towards feeling the same emotions, perhaps interpreting them differently. What makes the difference is always and only what we believe in. Inspired by Messiah, the 2020 Netflix series which in 10 episodes told us about the world’s reactions to the appearance of a mysterious new prophet, with federal agents tasked with discovering the truth about him, Kubra takes a step forward. He provides us with an answer. Reminding us that, ultimately, it’s all up to us and what we believe in.
Kübra Review: The Story Plot
Istanbul, Türkiye. Gökhan (Çaatay Ulusoy) miraculously survived a bloody attack on a mountain outpost while in the army. From that moment, his life changed: he saved a child, twice, and started receiving strange messages from a user named Kubra on his cell phone via an app called “Soul Touch” to create bonds between people ‘friendship. His girlfriend Merve (Aslhan Malbora), thinking someone wants to contact him, tells him to ask who is writing to him. But Gökhan gets no answers, only a succession of sentences with mysterious content, linked to religion. Then he finally understands: Gökhan now knows he has survived because God himself is writing to him, sending him messages on what to do to help those in need and bring faith to the world. When he is certain that he is really like this, Gökhan – initially skeptical – confesses the truth to his family and in a short time the word about him spreads.
Some people think he’s stressed, others think he’s crazy, but many believe him. Especially her sister, who was also miraculously saved. When he receives a warning of imminent danger, Gökhan makes a video to warn everyone, fueling skepticism. Many respond to him with videos claiming that he is a mentally ill egomaniac, but when something happens, everything in Gökhan’s life changes. The police are interested in him, and many new followers who believe him to be a new prophet begin to follow him… What is miraculous in his life? Why was he chosen? What is going on? The speaker is an unknown user, who however seems to know too many details of his life. He knows about his girlfriend Merve (Aslhan Malbora) and her imminent marriage, he knows about her private life and devotion to Allah and begins to predict a series of events that punctually occur as if something was hidden on the other side of the keyboard supernatural entity.
It is here, in Gökhan’s need to feel different, that the words of Kubra, the mysterious user who predicts accidents and guesses the diagnoses of the sick, take root. The protagonist is a predestined person who talks to God (like the Messiah of the other Netflix series, canceled after just one season). A prophet of the modern era, a Messiah who is entrusted with the message of Allah, which is a message of peace and love. Gökhan never questions what he sees and hears, not only because his faith is strong, but also because he needs to believe that everything that is happening to him is real. Thus, a real community was born around Gökhan. The first donations arrive, the first acolytes, and even the first requests for help. The prophet who speaks with Allah becomes the object of the curiosities and appetites of the press, politicians, the curious, and those who frequent social networks. But not everyone believes in miracles and words written by a message from a distant God to any predestined person, therefore, hand in hand with devotion, negative feelings such as envy, jealousy, irritation, fanaticism, and anger also grow.
Kübra Review and Analysis
Everyone interprets reality and events based on their knowledge and experiences. This new, modern coming of a messenger of God in today’s cynical, ruthless, and superficial world leads to an inevitable clash between those who believe and those who think that there is something behind it, perhaps a way to make money, as often happens. Gökhan is targeted, but it seems that something protects him, and his followers increase. There is something special near Gökhan. Forces a superior strength, perhaps simply an unshakable faith, or perhaps it’s just luck. Throughout the narrative, Kubra questions this, pushing us to reflect deeply on how we would behave if we found ourselves close to a person like Gökhan.
In the era of social networks, artificial intelligence, and multinationals to whom we deliver all the information about our lives, Kubra reminds us that the real fuel of the world is information. Knowledge is power, regardless of what kind of knowledge is disseminated. The propaganda spread by those who manage to deceive the most naive, the fake news that attracts those who don’t bother to verify – perhaps because they don’t believe they have to – and information as an instrument of power in the profiling desired by marketing. The more we are online, the more the network learns about us. Even when we are careful. In this context, the questions raised by Kubra pose interesting food for thought. The false prophets with which social networks are full manage to influence everyone, even the true believers. That is, all those who sincerely believe in a greater good, in a noble purpose, in something that can make our earthly life worthwhile, in the hope of a better world after life.
Even if the first episodes of this series are not exceptional and the story, in its middle, gets lost and slows down, even boring the viewer at times, the curiosity to discover Kübra ‘s true identity remains high and it is precisely this great mystery always underlying the story is the true secret of this Turkish series which, thanks to this “unsaid”, manages to keep anyone glued to the screen until the end. And thank goodness this happens because the ending of Kübra represents the very essence of the entire series which, thanks to that unexpected and shocking last episode, takes on a meaning and depth that no one expected. Kübra is not an exceptional series but certainly well thought out and different from the usual and therefore appreciable. It is a story that manages to create a bond with the public and ensure that they remain anchored to a story for which they anxiously await an explanation.
It may be the reference to religion, to faith in a belief that represents one of the pillars of contemporary and past society, it may be the restlessness conveyed by its protagonist whose psyche oscillates between the insecurity of not believing in its value and the ego of thinking that he is even God’s chosen one, perhaps because he never reveals himself except at the end, but Kübra is a series that captures you and will remain in your memory because the message it launches is contemporary, controversial and crucial for the future of our society. So, not only should you give Kübra a chance, but you should forgive her for some of her small shortcomings because the ending of this series will satisfy you as rarely happens on the small screen.
This is the only real twist in the series, but it is the reversal that serves to call everything into question and understand Kubra’s true message. The colossal deception that underlies the “dialogue with Allah” says a lot about the power of faith and modern communication tools. Kubra seemed to have warned the protagonist of the harmful power of new technologies. They are precisely the ones who put together the fiction into which Gökhan himself fell. In a world that needs to cling to something elusive to avoid falling into the abyss, the protagonist has clung to the idea of being different and of being the bearer of a revolutionary message. The individual must feel special, he needs it to give himself a purpose and survive. For Gökhan, being the messenger of Allah is also a way to redeem himself from his previous life, an opportunity to do something good. Kubra exploited man’s intimate need to feel different to overturn the foundations of the world. Faith becomes a tool, a channel through which to convey anger, frustration, and the need for revenge.
This series wants to warn us about the potentially unlimited power of new technologies, capable of deceiving minds and making reason falter. But it also wants to testify to how faith is a feeling still well rooted in the consciences of individuals, who, united around a common belief, can turn the world upside down. Once the trick has been discovered, the charade has been dismantled, do we allow ourselves to be exploited or do we become exploiters? The season finale leaves us with the curiosity to see how the story will evolve. The Turkish series is already in the Top 10 of Netflix’s most-watched titles because the premises are tempting enough to convince the viewer to venture into watching. If the central part of Kubra appears redundant, repetitive, and excessively verbose, the ending overturns everything, even the opinions on the product. It’s a series that has potential and that you have to have the patience to watch through (but all the way through) to be amazed.
Kübra Review: The Last Words
In an increasingly selfish and indifferent world, dominated by the frenzy of power through knowledge (of our data), Kubra questions the very concept of faith. When a man from Istanbul, Gökhan, starts receiving enigmatic messages on his cell phone via an app called “Soul Touch”, his life changes. Gökhan, initially skeptical, persuades himself that the person contacting him is God himself, who has chosen him to spread his message of love and mutual help. But as soon as what Gökhan says is known, family and friends are divided: some believe him to be crazy, others believe him and begin to follow him as a new prophet. The Turkish Netflix series, available from January 18th with its 8 episodes, pushes us to question the importance of knowledge in the age of information and technology. Everyone interprets reality based on what they know and their own experience, so Gökhan begins to divide public opinion, attracting the attention of the police but also of politics. Can the power of faith survive the age of skepticism? Kubra gives us his answer, stating that only once we have the necessary knowledge can we truly choose what to do with our lives.
Kübra Review: Netflix’s Turkish Series Dominated by the Frenzy of Power Through Knowledge - Filmyhype
Director: Durul Taylan, Yagmur Taylan
Date Created: 2024-01-18 16:55
3.5
Pros
- Intriguing and suspenseful: The show keeps viewers guessing with its mysterious elements, particularly surrounding Kübra's identity and motives. The unpredictable plot and constant suspense create a captivating viewing experience.
- Strong performances: Çagatay Ulusoy delivers a nuanced portrayal of Gökhan's journey, showcasing his internal struggles and transformation. The supporting cast also shines, adding depth and believability to the characters.
- Thought-provoking themes: Kübra delves into themes of faith, destiny, free will, and the impact of technology on our lives. These themes resonate with viewers, sparking discussions and interpretations that go beyond the immediate plot.
- Visually captivating: The cinematography and production design are well-executed, creating a visually appealing and immersive atmosphere that complements the story.
- Unique premise: The combination of mystery, drama, and fantastical elements sets Kübra apart from other Turkish dramas, offering a fresh and intriguing viewing experience.
Cons
- Slow pacing: Some viewers find the early episodes slow-moving, with the suspense building gradually. This might not appeal to those who prefer faster-paced shows.
- Unrealistic elements: The fantastical aspects, such as Kübra's seemingly omniscient knowledge, might not be everyone's cup of tea. Some viewers find it difficult to connect with the story due to these elements.
- Predictability at times: While the overall plot is suspenseful, some viewers find certain developments predictable, potentially hindering the element of surprise.
- Limited character development: The focus on the central mystery might leave some viewers desiring more in-depth exploration of the supporting characters and their motivations.
- Uneven tone: The show occasionally shifts between dramatic and comedic moments, which might not resonate equally with all viewers.
