ANNE+ web series Review

『Diverse Love and Self-Discovery of a Young Lesbian Woman』

🎥 Series Overview

🎬 Title: ANNE+ (2018–, Dutch Web Series)
🌍 Country: 🇳🇱 Netherlands
🎞️ Genre: Drama / Romance / Queer
🗓️ Production & Airing: Single-season web series
⏳ Runtime: Approximately 20–30 minutes per episode
📢 Director: Valerie Bisscheroux
🖋️ Creator & Writer: Maud Wiemeijer
📺 Platform: Netflix, YouTube, and other online streaming platforms

👩‍💼 Cast: Hanna van Vliet – Anne, Lynn van Royen – Lily
Tara Elders – Esther, Olga Loureiro – Sara, Lisa Smit – Janna

🧩 Story Deep Dive (Spoilers)

😊 Unique Structure and Theme: 'ANNE + Someone'

The most striking feature of the web series lies in its title and structure.

• Meaning of 'ANNE+': The title refers to the protagonist Anne and the other people who appear in her life — essentially "Anne + (someone else)".

• Episode Format (Season 1): Each episode of Season 1 focuses on one of Anne’s past girlfriends. Episodes are structured as reflections on the beginning and end of each relationship and how it has affected present-day Anne. This allows viewers to follow Anne’s complex romantic history and understand how each relationship has shaped her identity and approach to love.

• Tool for Self-Reflection: Following Anne’s romantic history is not just a love story; it is a process of self-reflection through which Anne seeks to answer the question, "Who am I?"

🌈 Normalizing Positive Queer Life

ANNE+ utilizes the relatively open social environment of the Netherlands to portray LGBTQ+ life as 'everyday life' without tragedy or suffering.

• Absence of 'Trauma Narrative': The series rarely presents extreme homophobia or familial opposition. Anne’s family, particularly her father, supports her, and she lives freely within Amsterdam’s accepting queer community.

• Representation of Diverse Lesbian Types: Anne’s ex-girlfriends each have distinct personalities and different backgrounds. This shows that a 'lesbian identity' is not monolithic and allows for broad viewer identification.

• Complex Romantic Life of a 20-Something Woman: Anne is often self-centered, indecisive, and prone to mistakes in relationships. Her love life is intense and passionate but messy and chaotic, demonstrating that LGBTQ+ characters can be as complex and flawed as heterosexual ones.

💡 Limitations and Success of the Web Series

Originally a low-budget web series, ANNE+ successfully overcame formal constraints and entered mainstream recognition.

• 'Noir-Tone' Aesthetics: Despite short episode lengths and low budget, the series presents stylish cinematography capturing Amsterdam’s beautiful cityscape and the emotional atmosphere of young people.

• Importance of Friendship and Community: While Anne’s romantic life is central, her relationships with friends (e.g., the playful and cheerful Saffy) are equally important. They serve as a Chosen Family, significantly influencing Anne’s growth.

• Cultural Impact: Most of the production team and cast are actual LGBTQ+ women, adding authenticity and realism to the narrative. This authenticity garnered strong support from the LGBTQ+ community, leading to the series’ success and paving the way for a feature film adaptation.

The ANNE+ web series demonstrates the possibility of 'happy LGBTQ+ stories' and is regarded as an important milestone for the next generation of queer content.

🎯 Personal Rating

💕 Love Scene Level: ♥♥
⭐ Rating: ★★★