Why Were Russian TV Series Previously So Bad That Nobody Wanted to Watch Them?
In the past, Russian TV series were, to put it mildly, dull: clichéd plots, weak acting, cheap sets, and editing on par with a school project. This was the result of minuscule budgets, censorship, and general technical backwardness. Series were made “for the masses,” and nobody even thought about international competition.
But everything changed. Major platforms like KinoPoisk and Start entered the scene, investing money and setting high standards for quality. Talented screenwriters, trained abroad or in modern Russian schools, emerged. Plots became deeper, characters more multifaceted, and genres more diverse. These are no longer just soap operas, but thrillers, dramas, and science fiction worth discussing.
Technological progress also played its part: modern equipment, quality graphics, and excellent sound. Add to that a focus on the international market and creative freedom—streaming platforms are less dependent on censorship. As a result, Russian TV series have stopped being just a local product and have begun capturing global audiences. Let’s move on to our list—we promise no spoilers!
Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!
The title of the series “Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!” refers to Russia in the 1990s—a time of change, nostalgia, and symbols of a new era. Here’s what the title means:
• “Peace! Friendship!”—Soviet slogans:
These words were part of Soviet propaganda aimed at instilling ideals of collectivism and peace. The title reflects the transition from the Soviet era to the chaotic 1990s, when the ideals of “peace and friendship” were replaced by harsh realities.
• “Chewing Gum”—A symbol of the 90s:
Chewing gum was one of the first mass-imported products associated with Western freedom, style, and glamour. In the series, it symbolizes children’s dreams of a “better future,” mixed with the cruelty and absurdity of their surroundings.
• An ironic title:
It contrasts with the series’ dark tone. In the 90s, behind the façade of childhood games, collecting gum wrappers, and dreaming of chewing gum, there were poverty, crime, and the struggle to survive.
The series immerses viewers in the atmosphere of the 90s. The story takes place in a provincial town and follows the coming-of-age of 14-year-old Sanya and his friends. Against the backdrop of childhood games and dreams, they confront harsh realities: poverty, crime, and family problems.
“Peace! Friendship! Chewing Gum!” blends nostalgia for the 90s with grim realism, showing the contrast between innocent childhood and the brutal circumstances of the time, creating a touching and profound story of growing up.
The Highway
“The Highway” is a Russian detective thriller that plunges viewers into a grim story set in a small town in the Stavropol region of Russia. It all begins with a shocking event: a 13-year-old girl shoots her parents and attempts to take her own life. At the same time, a judge from St. Petersburg is searching for her adopted daughter, who disappeared in the same area.
An experienced investigator takes on the case, gradually uncovering a horrifying truth: the region is home to a network of criminals abducting teenagers.
The series immerses viewers in an atmosphere of tension and uncertainty, where every detail could be a clue to the mystery. Strong acting, a complex plot, and the social issues explored make “The Highway” one of the most talked-about projects of recent years. The shocking twist in the final episode will leave you speechless.
Esenin
“Esenin” is not just a story about a great poet but also about a mystery that has puzzled people for decades: did Sergey Esenin really take his own life? The series transforms Esenin’s life into a captivating detective story, where every poem, every love affair, and every argument could hold the key to the truth.
The story is told through an investigation launched by a detective years after the poet’s death. The audience is transported to the early 20th century: vibrant Moscow taverns, revolution-inspired streets, and the luxurious halls of the “Angleterre” Hotel. Esenin is portrayed not only as a talented poet but also as a man with passions, inner demons, and tragic mistakes.
“Esenin” is more than a biography. It’s a drama about the search for truth in a world where love borders on betrayal, talent on self-destruction, and a poet’s death becomes the beginning of a legend. The series makes you see Esenin not as a bronze monument of Russian poetry but as a living soul torn apart by the contradictions of his time.
To the Lake (Epidemic)
“Epidemic” is a Russian post-apocalyptic series that transports viewers to a world ravaged by a deadly virus. Life in Moscow abruptly descends into chaos: the epidemic destroys everything in its path, and the government loses control. The protagonist, Sergey, along with his family and friends, is forced to leave the city and head into the remote wilderness to survive.
The series plunges viewers into an atmosphere of fear, uncertainty, and the struggle for survival. The group of characters faces not only the threat of the virus but also dangers from other people, for whom moral principles no longer matter. Amid the harsh events, personal dramas unfold: complex family relationships, love, betrayal, and moments of true heroism.
“Epidemic” is more than just a survival story. It’s a series about how people change in extreme conditions and what truly matters when everything is at stake. Realistic production, a grim atmosphere, and well-developed characters made “Epidemic” one of the most talked-about Russian series, even landing on Netflix under the title “To the Lake,” earning international acclaim.
13 Clinical
“13 Clinical” is a Russian mystical series that combines medicine and the supernatural, creating a unique atmosphere of mystery and horror. The main character, a talented surgeon named Kirill, faces imminent death due to a rare disease. His only chance is to join a mysterious hospital full of secrets.
This hospital is no ordinary place. Here, doctors fight not only diseases but also demons behind them. Each episode features a new patient whose ailment is linked to otherworldly forces. The demons are not just vengeful and dangerous—they compel the characters to confront their fears and secrets.
The series immerses viewers in a tense atmosphere: hospital corridors turn into a battleground between life and death, reality and mysticism. Deep characters, philosophical reflections on human fears and weaknesses, and a unique concept of demons causing illnesses make “13 Clinical” one of the most unusual stories in Russian cinema.
