Julie and the Phantoms

The Very Best

Julie and the Phantoms2020

8.5/10
A refined teen musical series about pursuing your dreams amid grief

In certain aspects, it’s a premise straight out of Disney, but the acting feels a bit more charming. It also has some legitimately funny material in the writing, refusing to rest on the laurels of a tight premise and moving the show away from one trick pony territory. The ghost rules aren’t necessarily inconsistent, but it does take a while to establish the patterns, so they feel like they’re often broken. But as a show generally following the tropes of music-centered teen shows, it excels in just about every department, from the original songs, to its themes of grief and the healing power of music.

Synopsis

Teenage Julie finds her passion for music and life while helping the Phantoms -- a trio of ghostly guys -- become the band they were never able to be.

Storyline

While grieving her mother’s death, a teenage girl accidentally summons three ghost musicians who help her rediscover her passion for music.

TLDR

It's like if Camp Rock and Lizzie McGuire made a baby that grew up.

What stands out

That first song sounded great and set the tone, but that did not sound 1995.