The Archies on Netflix and the Struggle of Reconciling Reality

For those of us privileged kids from the '80s and '90s, Archie Comics were a cherished portal into semi-urban Americana. However, the Netflix adaptation, "The Archies," directed by Zoya Akhtar, leaves us grappling with disappointment. Launching star kids on OTT platforms prompts questions about the changing landscape of the film industry. The film's stilted performances, misguided character portrayals, and an anti-capitalist message clash with the cherished Archie universe. The emotional turmoil lies in the dissonance between what we saw on screen and the Archies we held dear in our heads. Are childhood memories more real than the adaptations that attempt to bring them to life?