'The OA' fans have created an online destination to celebrate the canceled Netflix series
The OA was something special, and its fans are now finding ways to rep both the show and its big ideas in their daily lives.
We know by now that the canceled Netflix series wasn't for everyone. But creators Brit Marling (who also starred) and Zal Batmanglij blended an assortment of sci-fi and supernatural elements together into a stew that practically demanded further conversation.
For two seasons, Marling and Batmanglij weaved a mystery that was as enthralling as it was cryptic. It's the kind of story that begged for the sort of fan theorizing that trails lots of other popular shows, especially as it leaned into more off the wall ideas like dimension-hopping and making magic through dance.
Now, Marling has posted on Instagram with a lengthy missive containing her thoughts on the prematurely concluded series. She writes at length about the evolving nature of storytelling and the importance of fans in that process, and she directly points to an online resource that's sprung up in the wake of the show's cancellation.
TheOAisreal.com is essentially a content aggregator that offers fans a centralized platform for finding and sharing performative examples of The OA fandom. If you've not seen the series, know that dance -- really, the harnessing of energy through yoga-like movement -- plays an important role in the story.
This website, then, is a collection space that lets fans and curious passers-by alike to see how others have taken from the show's ideas about movement and carried it into their real lives. There's no better explanation than the one you'll find on TheOAisreal.com.
As one section of the page titled "Why does The OA matter?" reads:
[F]or many of us, The OA is more than a show. The OA is not only interdimensional, it is intersectional, international, and now, interactive. Because it values nuanced stories and lived experiences of diverse characters across races, genders, class lines, and sexualities, The OA has given us real meaning and real community. We have made friends across languages and borders, we have created art work and music and poetry, we have collaborated and witnessed each other struggle and thrive.
This is the power of positive fandom at work. Some might find the ideas being expressed a little too hippie-dippy, but don't forget: we're living in a time when toxic fandom is very real, and very capable of causing real harm in the world. Finding a community like this one that takes literally the opposite approach is downright refreshing.
"Watch the show. Explore this site," the explanation page reads. "Observe how joyfully we do these movements, look at our art, read how this story changed us. And then join our tribe — there is room here for everyone. We welcome you."
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The OA's two seasons are still streaming on Netflix.
Topics Netflix
Adam Rosenberg is a Senior Games Reporter for Mashable, where he plays all the games. Every single one. From AAA blockbusters to indie darlings to mobile favorites and browser-based oddities, he consumes as much as he can, whenever he can.Adam brings more than a decade of experience working in the space to the Mashable Games team. He previously headed up all games coverage at Digital Trends, and prior to that was a long-time, full-time freelancer, writing for a diverse lineup of outlets that includes Rolling Stone, MTV, G4, Joystiq, IGN, Official Xbox Magazine, EGM, 1UP, UGO and others.Born and raised in the beautiful suburbs of New York, Adam has spent his life in and around the city. He's a New York University graduate with a double major in Journalism and Cinema Studios. He's also a certified audio engineer. Currently, Adam resides in Crown Heights with his dog and his partner's two cats. He's a lover of fine food, adorable animals, video games, all things geeky and shiny gadgets.
