“Supacell” Episode 1: An Exhilarating Introduction to Netflix’s Newest Heroes 

By Naomi Fraser

Suspenseful, heart-pounding, and deeply human, the pilot episode for Netflix’s latest series, Supacell,takes audiences on a thrilling ride. The episode captures your attention within the first two minutes and holds it till the end. Set in present-day South London, Supacell follows the lives of five strangers who unexpectedly discover they possess superhuman abilities. Armed with their newfound powers, the novice heroes must unite to prevent a tragedy lurking on the horizon. Starring Tosin Cole, Josh Tedeku, Eric Kofi-Abrefa, Nadine Mills, and Calvin Demba as the leading five, Supacell delivers a captivating viewing experience you don’t want to miss. 

The Supacell writing team’s skill in crafting realistic characters with unique and fleshed-out personalities is a major factor in the show’s success. While superhuman feats and epic battles are fun to watch, strong characters drive stories and keep fans coming back for more. By the end of the pilot episode, I felt well acquainted with each of the five leads, understanding and empathizing with their struggles, priorities, desires, and needs. 

The time the writers spent developing these characters pays off, and I’m excited to see where they take the heroes next. In crafting people audiences can root for, fight with, love, and even hate, the writers of Supacell have laid the foundation for a solid television series that will endure the test of time. 

Rating: 4.5/5

Supacell’s writers also excel in building suspense. The pilot opens with a fast-paced, horrific scene that cues us to a major threat awaiting our heroes. As we leave this scene and enter the main characters’ seemingly normal lives, the constant sense of danger stays in the back of our minds. 

We know the characters are heading down a hazardous road, but there’s nothing we can do but watch with bated breath as we wait for something to blow. The suspense builds even more as the audience becomes privy to hidden surveillance cameras, superhuman prisons, and the five main characters unknowingly crossing paths. All these elements seamlessly come together to heighten anxiety and keep viewers glued to their seats. We know something big is coming, but there’s no way of knowing when or where it will occur. 

On a more personal note, I must touch on my deep appreciation of Supacell’s inclusion of an all-Black cast. As a Black woman who adores a good superhero story, it is exciting and refreshing to see a show within that genre centered on people who look like me. 

Supacell joins the growing list of groundbreaking shows and movies that meaningfully represent people of color in genres from which they historically faced exclusion. I hope Supacell’s success will inspire more filmmakers and writers of color to create stories that challenge the status quo and help usher in a future where the concept of a Black superhero squad will no longer be a novelty. 

While there is much to love about the Supacell pilot, the episode does possess some flaws. I found the special effects, for instance, cheesy and underwhelming. If you turn on Supacell expecting a Marvel-caliber production, you will be disappointed. While the quality of the effects did not ruin my viewing experience, I am concerned about how the remaining episodes will fare as the heroes begin using their powers more. I can only hope that the quality of the story will outweigh any lackluster visual effects. 

With that being said, I still believe Supacell has earned the praise it has garnered over these past few weeks. Captivating, suspenseful, and raw, the pilot reels viewers in and drums up excitement for the remainder of the season. If you’re in the mood for an intriguing and fresh superhero story, I strongly recommend giving Supacell a chance.