A Familiar Premise, A Fresh Perspective

Netflix’s ‘Roosters’ dives headfirst into the complexities of modern masculinity. The series begins with four friends attending a seminar focused on “throwing off the shield of toxic masculinity.” Ivo, portrayed by Benja Bruijning, appears to be the most engaged, diligently taking notes. in contrast, Danny (Waldemar Torenstra), Mike (Jeroen Spitzenberger), and Greg (André Dongelmans) seem less enthusiastic about confronting their own potential sexism.

This opening scene sets the stage for a series of comedic explorations of the challenges these men face in their relationships and careers. The show quickly establishes that each character is grappling with unique issues related to their roles as men in a society that is rapidly redefining gender dynamics. The series aims to explore how these men cope, or fail to cope, with these new expectations.

Navigating Shifting Sands: The Plight of the Modern man

three months before the seminar, Mike’s world is turned upside down when he loses his job as head of content for a cable network. He discovers that he is being replaced by a woman, a move intended to attract a younger, more female audience. Adding insult to injury, he is blamed for the failure of a show called Fuck Island. He confides in his girlfriend, Stevie (Eva Laurenssen), who decides to become a social media influencer to help offset the financial strain of their new, large house.

Ivo, on the othre hand, finds his life disrupted when his teenage daughter, Tess, decides to move in with him, much to the chagrin of his ex-wife, Desiree (Fockeline Ouwerkerk). Desiree then takes it upon herself to set Ivo up on Tinder, adding another layer of complexity to his already chaotic life. This sets up a classic comedic scenario of a man struggling to balance his personal life with the demands of modern dating.

Danny’s romantic life takes an unexpected turn when he breaks up with his married lover to propose to his girlfriend, Pam (Jennifer Hoffman). Though, his plans are derailed when Pam suggests they explore an open relationship. Concurrently, Greg’s wife, Merel (Jelka van Houten), is frustrated by his lack of sexual drive, and their attempts to spice things up with toys in the bedroom backfire. These intertwined storylines highlight the diverse challenges facing men in their relationships.

Dinner Party Disaster: When worlds collide

The various threads of the men’s lives converge at a disastrous dinner party hosted at Mike’s house. The evening is further complex by Tess,who invites Ivo’s Tinder date to the gathering. The date is met with a barrage of yelling about sex and a man clearly unprepared for a romantic encounter. The scene encapsulates the chaotic and often absurd situations the characters find themselves in as they navigate their relationships and identities. The dinner party serves as a pressure cooker, exposing the underlying tensions and insecurities of each character.

Echoes of ‘alpha Males’: A Global Story?

‘Roosters’ is not the first adaptation of the Spanish comedy ‘alpha Males.’ The French comedy ‘Shafted,’ released in January, also draws inspiration from the same source material. The fact that two remakes have appeared on Netflix within a short period suggests that the themes explored in ‘Alpha Males’ resonate with a broad audience. This global appeal underscores the universality of the issues being addressed.

The series delves into the challenges men face as they grapple with strong women in their lives and the ever-evolving landscape of gender roles in the 21st century. The writers, Luuk van bemmelen and Richard Kemper, capture the essence of the original series, highlighting the fact that these men may perceive themselves as “alpha males,” but they are often outmaneuvered by the women around them. This dynamic creates a humorous and relatable tension throughout the series.

One particularly memorable scene, also present in the Spanish original, involves Greg and Merel being summoned to their son’s school to discuss a vibrating butt plug they had used the previous night.Merel’s confrontation with their son’s young and single teacher adds a layer of humor and social commentary to the situation. This scene exemplifies the show’s willingness to push boundaries and explore uncomfortable topics with comedic flair.

A Night to Forget: The Pool Scene

The episode concludes with the four men gathered by Mike’s pool after the disastrous dinner party. danny, in a moment of impulsive decision-making, jumps into the pool fully clothed, expecting his friends to follow suit. However, he quickly realizes that the pool is not heated, and his friends simply shake their heads and retreat inside. This scene, also featured in ‘Alpha Males,’ serves as a fitting end to an episode filled with comedic mishaps and awkward encounters. The pool scene symbolizes the men’s attempts to recapture a sense of camaraderie and control, ultimately ending in a humorous failure.

Jelka van Houten Shines

Jelka van Houten delivers a standout performance, showcasing her comedic talents through physical humor. Her portrayal of Merel, a woman frustrated by her husband’s lack of libido, is both hilarious and relatable.one particularly memorable scene involves her walking around with a vibrator in her tush while putting her children to bed, followed by her drunkenly demanding sex from Greg during the dinner party. Van Houten’s performance adds a layer of depth and comedic brilliance to the series.

Language Barrier? Not Really

Interestingly, the dutch word for “fuck” is the same as in English. The prevalence of this particular word throughout the first episode highlights the show’s willingness to embrace explicit language for comedic effect. This linguistic detail adds to the show’s raw and unfiltered portrayal of modern relationships and challenges.

Final Verdict: Stream It

Like its predecessor, ‘Alpha Males,’ ‘Roosters’ offers enough laughs to keep viewers engaged. The characters in this version are less pathetic than those in ‘Shafted,’ but just as silly, making for an enjoyable and entertaining viewing experience. ‘Roosters’ is a worthwhile addition to Netflix’s comedy lineup, offering a fresh and humorous take on the complexities of modern masculinity.