Watch I May Destroy You

I May Destroy You is a riveting television series that tells the story of a young woman named Arabella (Michaela Coel) who is attempting to piece her life back together after a traumatic experience. Alongside Arabella are her best friends Terry (Weruche Opia) and Kwame (Paapa Essiedu), both of whom are also grappling with their own personal demons.

The show, which premiered on HBO in 2020, is a masterclass in storytelling. Writer and actress Michaela Coel draws on her own experiences with sexual assault to weave a complex narrative that tackles themes of consent, trauma, and the ways in which individuals process and deal with trauma. The show is deeply personal and honest, both in its approach to storytelling and in the way it explores the characters' lives.

At its core, I May Destroy You is a character study. As we follow Arabella's journey, we see how her trauma impacts every aspect of her life. She struggles to trust people and is plagued by anxiety and panic attacks. Her writing career, which was once her source of joy and success, begins to suffer as she becomes increasingly mired in her own pain. But even in her darkest moments, Arabella remains a dynamic and likable character. Michaela Coel's performance is nuanced and powerful, and she brings a depth to Arabella that is both impressive and moving.

But the show is about far more than just Arabella. Terry and Kwame are both compelling characters in their own right, with their own journeys to follow. Terry is a successful entrepreneur with a complicated love life, while Kwame is a young gay man struggling to navigate the world of dating and casual sex. Both characters are deeply human, flawed and vulnerable, and their relationships with Arabella are a highlight of the show.

What makes I May Destroy You so remarkable is the way it tackles difficult subject matter with nuance and sensitivity. Sexual assault is a complex issue, and the show explores it from multiple perspectives. We see the impact of Arabella's assault not just on her, but on those around her. Friends and family struggle to understand what she's going through, and the show never shies away from the difficult conversations that arise.

But I May Destroy You is not a show solely about sexual assault. It's a show about the messiness of life, the complexities of relationships, and the importance of connection in the face of trauma. The characters are flawed and relatable, and the show's writing is both smart and funny. There are moments of levity interspersed throughout the heavier subject matter, and the show never loses its humanity.

Visually, I May Destroy You is stunning. The show is set in London, and the city itself is almost a character in its own right. The cinematography is beautiful, with a vivid color palette that reflects the show's emotional intensity. The music is also excellent, with a diverse range of tracks that reflect the show's eclectic style.

Overall, I May Destroy You is a must-watch television series. Its exploration of trauma and healing is both timely and important, and the show's characters are some of the most compelling on television today. Michaela Coel is a talent to watch, and her writing and performance in this show are nothing short of extraordinary.

I May Destroy You is a series that ran for 1 seasons (12 episodes) between June 8, 2020 and on HBO