Discovering Metamodernism Through the Darkness of Dark
How a German TV Series Became My Portal to Metamodernism Amidst the Uncertainty of 2020
Introduction: Discovering Dark in the Darkest of Times
It was 2020, a year when darkness had fallen upon us all. COVID-19 was spreading like wildfire, and I found myself hunkered down, jobless, and searching for something to hold onto amid the uncertainty. There are moments in life when something unexpected pulls us in, nudging us to question, explore, and dive deeper into the unknown. For me, that moment came with the German series Dark, directed by Baran bo Odar and written by Jantje Friese. I didn't just stumble upon it—I was almost pulled to it, as if by some unseen force.
As someone who always watches TV with subtitles—a neurodivergent necessity—I often find myself diving into foreign shows and films. Dark hooked me from the start with its metaphysical twists and turns, its questions about time, reality, and existence. As someone who has always been fascinated by metaphysics—despite, or perhaps because of, being an atheist—I found myself captivated.
Little did I know that Dark would be more than just a show to binge; it would become my entry point into metamodernism. I felt a synchronicity between the show's themes and my growing curiosity about the tension between order and chaos, reality and illusion, truth and uncertainty. As I journeyed deeper into the world of Dark, I realized it was more than just entertainment; it was an invitation to explore the metaphysical clashes that lie at the heart of metamodern thought.
Metaphysical Clashes in Dark
From its very first episode, Dark throws viewers into a world where the boundaries between science and spirituality, free will and determinism, and linear versus cyclical time are constantly challenged. This is where the show resonated with me most. As an atheist intrigued by metaphysical questions, I found Dark to be a perfect playground for exploring these seemingly contradictory ideas. It’s not afraid to confront ultimate questions, even while leaving them tantalizingly unresolved—a hallmark of the metamodern sensibility.
The Metamodern Pull of Dark
Dark doesn’t shy away from embracing contradictions. It pulls viewers into a web of complex narratives, where every answer raises new questions, and every certainty is met with a fresh layer of doubt. This oscillation between knowing and unknowing, belief and skepticism, perfectly mirrors the metamodern mindset—a perspective that recognizes the impossibility of absolute truth while still seeking meaning and connection. Watching Dark felt like stepping into a space where metaphysics clashed, and yet, somehow, those clashes felt necessary, even beautiful.
How Dark Questioned My Atheism
Ironically, being an atheist may have made me more receptive to the show's metaphysical explorations. While I don’t believe in a higher power or ultimate meaning, I am endlessly curious about the nature of existence. Dark became a mirror reflecting my own inner debates: Can we find meaning in a universe that seems devoid of it? Is time linear, or are we caught in a loop of our own making? These questions were not answered but deepened, compelling me to lean into my curiosity rather than shy away from it.
Why Dark Is the Metamodern Masterpiece We Didn’t Know We Needed
Ultimately, Dark embodies the metamodern spirit. It oscillates between hope and despair, science and spirituality, certainty and ambiguity. It invites us to dwell in the complexity and to accept that perhaps there is no final answer—only more questions to explore. For me, the show became a catalyst for discovering metamodernism, encouraging me to embrace the metaphysical clashes and to see them not as contradictions to resolve but as spaces to inhabit.
If you haven’t watched Dark yet, consider this your invitation. Whether you’re a fan of metaphysics, an atheist who loves a good existential puzzle, or just someone curious about the nature of reality, I think you’ll find something in its depths that speaks to you, too.