Young love: Raina (Michelle Ziudith) and Rangga (Dimas Anggara) drive through the streets of New York.(Photo courtesy of iFlix)

Magic Hour the Series 2 does not offer many surprises, featuring pretty much a similar formula to its predecessor.

It is the latest chapter of Screenplay Films’ top-viewed Magic Hour saga, which started off with the movie Magic Hour released in 2015.

Reuniting director Asep Kusdinar and writer Titi Sari, the six-episode series is screened exclusively on online streaming service iFlix starting on Jan. 18 with new episodes aired every Friday. It follows the tragic love story of Raina (Michelle Ziudith) and Rangga (Dimas Anggara).

The story picks up from the previous season, in which Raina lost her first love, Dimas, to cancer. In the midst of her grief, she finds herself in love with Dimas’ twin brother, Rangga, believing that she is getting a second chance at love.

However, things take a tragic turn when she finds out that Rangga is also suffering from the same illness as Dimas and her love is once again challenged by a similar foe.

As the series is directed, written and produced by the same people, it is expected for the series to carry several resemblances to its predecessor as seen in its first episode.

Some of the lines are cheesy and overdramatic, making it hard for the audience to relate to the characters as in reality, no ordinary people would talk the way the characters do.

Moreover, the low-quality slow motion scenes and narrations are two of the most prominent elements that make the film look like a soap opera.

Despite the corniness, the storytelling of the film is really easy to understand as it is quite straightforward. To a certain extent, this plays in favor of the film.

Magic Hour the Series 2 is so easy to understand that a wide range of viewers can follow the story and enjoy the scenes to the fullest, making it rather light and fun to watch.

Lovechild: Tegar (Maxime Bouttier) accompanies Mytha (Yunita Siregar) for her ultrasound session.(Photo courtesy of iFlix)

The new season also manages to add several successful comedic scenes that lighten up the mood despite its sad tone. Another positive aspect is that the performances of the cast are enjoyable to watch.

Dimas and Michelle play their roles very well. Their chemistry with each other is also outstanding. The interaction between the two is always executed well, even when they are trying to portray different emotions.

Michelle, playing the lead character, said she had to dig deep into her emotions to play Raina in the sequel.

“Raina, as a cheerful girl, has to be stronger than in the previous series because her issues are being brought out more in this second season,” Michelle said. “With more life issues, the story becomes broader and there is more weight in the character.”

Maxime Bouttier as Tegar and Yunita Siregar as Mytha fit their role as a stereotypical “edgy” couple really well.

Like Michelle, Maxime finds the second season much more dramatic.

“The first series ends with a huge cliffhanger between Tegar and Mytha. And in this second season, everything will be revealed,” he said. (ste)

— The writer is an intern at The Jakarta Post.