Netflix's latest series, 'Oasis', has drawn comparisons to 'The White Lotus', but it's more akin to the Spanish teen soap 'Elite'. The show follows the story of a missing resort employee and the subsequent investigation, but it's the characters' personal dramas that take center stage.
The series, produced by Ramón Campos and Jon de la Cuesta, features a cast of beautiful people making bad decisions, which is soothing enough to override one's critical faculties. However, the characters are thin, and the plot often ludicrous.
The show's social commentary is both bluntly stated and ultimately marginal. The class conflict is heightened when the police presence orders the entire Oasis property placed on lockdown, trapping all the haves and have-nots in cramped quarters.
The most significant impact of the police presence is the way it exacerbates the existing tensions between the staff and the guests. The air conditioning goes out, and staff have to sacrifice their room fans to sweaty guests, highlighting the stark contrast between the haves and have-nots.
Despite its flaws, 'Oasis' is a show that will keep you hooked. The frantic attempts of the characters to find their missing friend while managing their own hormones are at least more telegenic than a traditional police investigation.
The shift towards digital-first media consumption and distribution has led to a surge in demand for content like 'Oasis'. As the creator economy continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how shows like 'Oasis' adapt to the changing landscape.
In the context of the broader industry, 'Oasis' represents a significant shift towards digital-first media consumption and distribution. With the rise of streaming services like Netflix, the traditional media landscape is changing rapidly.
Entities like Netflix, Meta, and the NFL are at the forefront of this change, driving the transition from traditional media to digital platforms. As the creator economy continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how shows like 'Oasis' adapt to the changing landscape.
