Caio Horowicz
Alex Nero
Overview
At a high school in a rural, isolated ranching community, families panic when teens contract a mysterious "kissing disease" that quickly spreads.
Seasons
- Status
- Ended
- Seasons
- 1 season
- Episodes
- 6 episodes
- First aired
- Jul 17, 2020
Cast
12 people
Reviews
5 min readThe Town That Kissed Itself to Death
I keep thinking about the first time we see the virus in Kissing Game. Not the moment it’s named, not the panic that follows, but the actual visual: a dark, glowing stain spreading around a teenager’s mouth like ink on wet paper. It’s unsettling, sure, but also weirdly beautiful—like a bruise that’s decided to fluoresce.
That contradiction sits at the heart of this Brazilian series, a show that wants to be both a coming-of-age mystery and a socio-political allegory, all while draped in the neon glow of a rural rave.
The setting is Progresso, a cattle-ranching town so isolated it might as well be its own planet. The adults here are rigid, moralistic, the kind of people who see sin in a sideways glance. The teens, meanwhile, are caught between the suffocating expectations of their parents and the intoxicating pull of their own desires.
When a mysterious "kissing disease" begins to spread—transmitted, as the name suggests, through lip-lock—the town’s already fragile social order starts to crack. But here’s the thing: Kissing Game isn’t really about the virus. It’s about what happens when a community is forced to confront the things it’s spent years trying not to see.
The show’s creator, Esmir Filho, has been clear that the pandemic parallels were unintentional—Kissing Game was written and filmed in 2019, long before COVID-19 turned the world upside down. But that doesn’t mean the timing didn’t gift the series an eerie resonance. Watching it now, it’s hard not to see the virus as a metaphor for any number of contagions: fear, bigotry, the way panic spreads faster than reason.
The adults in Progresso react to the outbreak the way they react to everything—with repression, with violence, with a desperate clinging to the status quo. The teens, on the other hand, are forced to navigate a world where their bodies are suddenly both the source of danger and the key to survival. It’s a tightrope walk, and the show’s best moments come when it leans into the ambiguity of that position.
Take the character of Chico (Michel Joelsas), a gay teenager who’s spent his life hiding who he is. When the virus hits, he’s caught between two fears: the literal threat of infection and the metaphorical one of being outed. The show doesn’t let him off the hook—his journey is messy, sometimes selfish, often painful.
Audience Opinions
Audience 6.5/10
"A intriguing but uneven thriller that hooks with its premise but struggles to sustain tension across all episodes."
The series draws attention with its mysterious contagious disease premise and stylish execution, but viewer reactions suggest it doesn’t fully deliver on its potential. Some appreciate the eerie atmosphere and character dynamics, while others find the pacing sluggish and the resolution underwhelming. latestnetflix.com's take is that Feedback is sparse, making it hard to gauge broader consensus, but the few available comments highlight a mix of curiosity and disappointment.
What viewers praise
- Unique premise The idea of a contagious disease spread through kissing stands out as a fresh and intriguing hook for a thriller.
- Atmospheric tone The series is praised for its eerie and stylish visuals, which enhance the mysterious vibe.
Common complaints
- Slow pacing Several viewers note that the story drags in places, making it hard to stay engaged throughout all six episodes.
- Underwhelming payoff The resolution of the mystery fails to satisfy some, leaving them feeling let down by the ending.
Recommended for
Fans of mystery thrillers Brazilian drama enthusiasts Viewers who enjoy slow-burn stories
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsBehind the Scenes of Kissing Game: The Netflix Series That Sparked Romance and Rumors
Netflix’s Kissing Game (2020), the Brazilian teen drama directed by Esmir Filho and Juliana Rojas, quickly became a talking point for its bold storytelling and on-screen chemistry. Set in a high school where a mysterious kissing game spirals into chaos, the series blended romance, suspense, and LGBTQ+ themes—all while keeping viewers hooked. But behind the scenes, the cast’s dynamics and the show’s unscripted moments added an extra layer of intrigue.
The Breakout Stars: Chico and Maurílio’s Real-Life Chemistry
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRHPKPqnRKg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1H2XIv9dEA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzEhxVAOBi0
At the heart of Kissing Game are Michel Joelsas as Chico and Thomás Aquino as Maurílio, whose on-screen romance became a fan favorite. Their characters’ slow-burn relationship, from rivals to lovers, resonated with audiences, but off-screen, their friendship fueled speculation. Joelsas and Aquino’s playful banter in interviews and behind-the-scenes clips—like their joint appearance in a Wild One music video tied to the show —hinted at a bond that went beyond acting. Fans even dissected their social media interactions, searching for signs of real-life sparks, though neither actor confirmed anything beyond professional camaraderie .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpWRWkkvmtw
The duo’s chemistry was so convincing that some viewers mistook their relationship for reality. In a Kissing Game recap video, a commentator noted how their "natural ease" made the gay storyline feel authentic, even if it was purely performative . Whether the connection was scripted or not, it undeniably elevated the series’ emotional core.
The Gay Storyline That Divided and United Fans
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJ1-j7lUD3M
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iD7y_shD9zM
Kissing Game didn’t shy away from LGBTQ+ themes, particularly through Chico and Maurílio’s relationship. The show’s portrayal of queer romance was praised for its rawness, but it also sparked debate. Some viewers celebrated the representation, while others criticized the pacing or the game’s darker twists involving the characters . A no-spoiler review called the storyline "a double-edged sword"—emotionally gripping but occasionally uneven in execution .
Behind the scenes, the cast and creators kept tight-lipped about the storyline’s development. However, Rojas and Filho’s previous work, known for its social commentary, suggested the gay romance was intentional, not just a plot device. The show’s willingness to tackle taboo subjects—like peer pressure and identity—set it apart from typical teen dramas .
Season 2 Hopes and the Netflix Effect
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_neUS2HBTA
After Kissing Game’s first season dropped, fans immediately clamored for more. Rumors of a second season swirled, with speculation about new characters and expanded storylines. A video teasing a potential premiere date fueled excitement, though Netflix never officially confirmed the renewal . The show’s cult following, driven by its mix of romance and mystery, kept the conversation alive long after the finale.
The series also benefited from Netflix’s global reach, introducing Brazilian teen drama to international audiences. Its success mirrored other non-English hits like Elite and Baby, proving that compelling storytelling transcends language barriers .
The Unanswered Questions
Despite the buzz, Kissing Game left some behind-the-scenes details shrouded in mystery. For instance:
- Denise Fraga’s role: The veteran actress played a pivotal character, but her off-screen insights about the show’s themes were rarely discussed in available sources.
- The kissing game’s origins: The series never fully explained the game’s rules or lore, leaving fans to theorize .
- Season 2 status: As of the latest evidence, Netflix hadn’t greenlit a follow-up, despite fan campaigns .
**Why Kissing Game Still Matters**
Two years after its release, Kissing Game remains a standout for its fearless approach to teen drama. It wasn’t just about romance—it was about the pressures of adolescence, the weight of secrets, and the courage to defy expectations. The cast’s chemistry, particularly Joelsas and Aquino’s, gave the show an authenticity that resonated globally. Whether or not a second season materializes, Kissing Game proved that Brazilian storytelling could captivate audiences worldwide.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.