Barracuda Queens Review – When Brats Turn Brash Burglars
Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
Let’s be clear about something: “Barracuda Queens” is a story about a group of five young privileged women, one of whom is only seventeen, who decide to rob the people in their affluent neighborhood after getting drunk on holiday, spending excessively, and ending up with a bill that might lead their parents to disown them. It takes a while for the police to catch on to their activities, not because the women are particularly clever, but because it’s set in the 1990s and as one of the cops in the series puts it, “girls like these don’t need to rob anyone; they already have everything.” Their entitlement keeps them insulated.
Created by Camilla Ahlgren, the 2023 Swedish series “Barracuda Queens” on Netflix spans six episodes, introducing its protagonists at their best (or worst, depending on your perspective) — partying hard. Alva Bratt plays lead brat Lollo Millkvist, who needs to clear a debt of over 100,000 krona on her credit card, while her friend Klara Rapp (Tindra Monsen) faces an insane 75,000 krona fine for damaging her hotel bathroom. Lollo convinces their group to engage in theft to avoid being caught for their debts, leading to a string of heists targeting wealthy families’ homes when they are away, exploiting their insider knowledge.
The first two episodes are highly entertaining, providing viewers with an introduction to the main characters and a glimpse into the sordid lives of their parents, who throw lavish parties and occasionally engage in “wife-swapping.” However, from the third episode onward, it becomes hard to ignore the recklessness and foolishness of the girls, and their antics can become somewhat annoying. Nevertheless, their friendship manages to be endearing. Two of the gang members are sisters: Klara, who is studying to be a lawyer, and Frida (Sandra Strandberg Zubovic), who is still in high school. The two share a strong bond and are very protective of each other. Amina Khalil (Sarah Gustaffson) is the last to join the gang, an art enthusiast who assists in selling the paintings from their first heist. Mia Thorstensson (Tea Stjärne) is the only one in the group who doesn’t come from an incredibly wealthy family; she lives with her divorced mother and works part-time to help with the bills.
The lead cast is fantastic, and are backed up by an interesting set of supporting characters, some of who play their eccentric parents. Since most of the timeline is set against glitzy upper-class neighborhoods, the cinematography is aesthetically bright and screams “wealth”. Apart from the girls’ first world problems, the script delves into a few serious themes, such as sexual harassment and how it’s often the poor who bear the consequences of the rich’s flaws. While the “Barracuda Queens” steal from their affluent neighbors and lead an even more lavish lifestyle, others become collateral damage for their crimes. For instance, when Klara steals a watch from a friend’s place for the first time, it’s the housemaid who ends up getting fired.
Overall, the series is entertaining, tightly paced and has a slightly surprising climax that leaves scope for a sequel in the future. There’s drama, fun, tension, a touch of romance, a lot of anxiety, and plenty of thievery going on. It’s a 7 on 10 from me.
You can stream the series on Netflix.
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