Apple TV+’s ‘Still Up’ is a Breezy and Risible Comedy with Glamour
Who knew that two insomniacs talking through their sleepless nights could be this much fun.
Insomnia is a bitch — I know because I suffer from it since I was a teenager. There are a bunch of different health factors that play into it, but its main trigger, in my case, is a crushing wave of anxiety I’ve been struggling with periodically for nearly two decades. I bring this up because Steve Burge and Natalie Walter's brand new rom-com series, Still Up on Apple TV+, focuses on two insomniacs keeping each other company during their wakeful nights. Though the show does little to portray the debilitating effects of sleep disorders, its airy premise offers light-hearted entertainment — with a touch of romance — that serves perfectly as a time-killer for those who grapple with insomnia.
Londoners Lisa (Antonia Thomas in another cute role) and Danny (Craig Roberts in another introverted role) are best mates brought together by their miserable sleep routines (or lack thereof). They’ve been video-chatting for months — after meeting at a wedding three years ago — which made them know each other more closely than any of their partners have before. There might even be stronger feelings bubbling under the surface than just being friends, but the two have more or less managed to ignore them. They kind of had to since Lisa is in a serious relationship with simpleton Veggie (Blake Harrison), who’s the best stepfather she could ever wish for to her little daughter, while Danny is trying to get back onto the dating scene. But despite their intentions, they both come alive the most when talking, bantering, and laughing on the phone all night long.
It's not hard to guess where all this is headed, and the writing doesn't throw many curveballs to steer you wrong (mostly ticking off clichés one episode at a time), but that doesn't mean it can't be a blast either. Keeping Lisa and Danny in separate spaces while they're on the phone actually creates a fertile ground for comedy. Still Up’s sense of humor is characteristically British, often being silly and bonkers at once, holding a universal appeal against the genre’s American variants.
Although the show’s success mainly rests on the shoulders of its two protagonists, the best laugh-out-loud moments are delivered by the quirky side characters. For instance, Danny's neighbor, the Cat Man (played by Rich Fulcher), represents those weird next-door lunatics that most of us encountered and tried to hide from at least once before. And while they can be a pain in the ass in real life, they’re delightfully deranged and funny on the screen. Besides Fulcher’s loony, there’s a handful of other amusing goofballs like Lisa’s in-laws, Danny’s Scottish date, or a confused pizza delivery guy, who get just enough screen time to make this show feel like an absolute breeze.
Besides its laughs and giggles, Still Up also tackles some serious issues like anxiety, agoraphobia, and marital problems seamlessly. Without feeling heavy-handed, the writers effortlessly sew a few emotional beats into the show’s fabric to give it heart, relying on Thomas and Roberts’ acting prowess, who not only deliver in spades but have an alluring chemistry despite barely being in the same place.
And let's be honest, if you've seen some of their previous work — Thomas definitely served as a crush for many Misfits and Lovesick fans while Roberts’ similarly timid roles in Submarine and The Fundamentals of Caring were truly sympathetic and memorable — it’s no surprise that their dynamic duo is more than capable carrying this series from start to finish with confidence. Lisa's bubbly personality hitting highs and lows (but mostly highs) is a joy to watch, and Danny's witty, non-confrontational demeanor is charmingly relatable to anyone who likes to hide from the world in general.
Overall, Still Up’s biggest draw is its ability to squeeze every bit of hilarity out of awkward situations and idiosyncratic characters while building towards a romantic climax that may just have enough unpredictability to make us stick around for a potential follow-up. Regardless, its risible approach centered around insomniacs is refreshing and intriguing — despite relying on classic clichés — even if we don’t get entirely invested in the will-they-won’t-they aspect of it all. Yet, by the time Lisa and Danny finally meet face-to-face to expose the emotions they kept under wraps for each other all these years, I guarantee it'll be nearly impossible not to root for them to make it.
Still Up premieres with three episodes on Friday, September 22, on Apple TV+.
Last week, I reviewed the third season of The Morning Show, which finally leaned into its soapy, and somewhat ridiculous, aspect for maximum effect.
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