For fans of fantasy and sci-fi, few shows dare to push boundaries as audaciously as The OA, the enigmatic Netflix series created by Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij. Premiering in 2016 and concluding after two seasons in 2019, The OA is a mesmerizing blend of mystery, near-death experiences, parallel universes, and raw human emotion. With an impressive 85% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a passionate cult following, it stands as a unique entry in the genre—part Stranger Things’ nostalgic weirdness, part Westworld’s philosophical depth, part Twin Peaks’ surreal mystique, yet wholly its own. Though canceled prematurely, leaving fans clamoring for more, The OA remains a must-watch for anyone craving bold, unconventional storytelling. As it trends again on Netflix in September 2025, now is the perfect time to dive into—or revisit—this strange, moving, and unforgettable series. This article explores The OA’s origins, narrative brilliance, cultural impact, and why its daring vision makes it essential viewing for fantasy and sci-fi enthusiasts.

The Genesis of The OA: A Visionary Collaboration

The OA sprang from the minds of Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij, a creative duo known for their cerebral, genre-bending films like Sound of My Voice (2011) and The East (2013). Marling, who stars as the enigmatic Prairie Johnson, and Batmanglij, who directs most episodes, crafted The OA as a passion project that defied conventional TV formulas. Their goal was to tell a story that blended science fiction, fantasy, and spirituality without spoon-feeding answers, trusting audiences to embrace ambiguity.

The series begins with a provocative premise: Prairie, a young woman missing for seven years, reappears in her Michigan hometown with her sight miraculously restored after being blind since childhood. Calling herself “The OA” (an acronym left deliberately vague), she refuses to share her story with the FBI or her adoptive parents, instead gathering a group of misfits—four high schoolers and a teacher—to confide in. What unfolds is a tale of near-death experiences (NDEs), interdimensional travel, and a mysterious set of movements that unlock cosmic secrets. The show’s refusal to fit neatly into any genre—part psychological drama, part metaphysical puzzle—sets it apart.

Marling and Batmanglij spent years developing the story, reportedly mapping out five seasons. Their collaboration with co-writers like Dominic Orlando and a cast including Jason Isaacs, Emory Cohen, and Kingsley Ben-Adir brought depth to the narrative. Shot with a cinematic quality, The OA balances intimate character moments with sprawling, otherworldly concepts, making it a feast for both heart and mind.

Season 1: A Haunting Introduction

The OA’s first season, released on December 16, 2016, hooked viewers with its slow-burn mystery and emotional core. The story alternates between Prairie’s present-day mission to recruit her “tribe” and flashbacks to her captivity under Dr. Hap Percy (Isaacs), a scientist obsessed with studying NDEs. Prairie, once a Russian heiress named Nina Azarova, was held in a glass cage with other captives, subjected to repeated drownings to map the afterlife. These experiments reveal the “movements,” a series of choreographed gestures that, when performed by five people with perfect intention, can open portals to other dimensions.

The season’s strength lies in its character-driven storytelling. Prairie’s recruits—troubled teen Jesse (Brendan Meyer), bully Steve (Patrick Gibson), trans student Buck (Ian Alexander), perfectionist BBA (Phyllis Smith), and dreamer French (Brandon Perea)—are flawed yet relatable, their personal struggles mirroring Prairie’s search for meaning. The performances, particularly Marling’s ethereal intensity and Isaacs’ chilling ambiguity as Hap, ground the fantastical elements.

Critics praised Season 1’s ambition. The New York Times called it “a narrative labyrinth that rewards close attention,” while Variety lauded its “haunting, almost hypnotic quality.” The season’s finale, a divisive yet unforgettable sequence involving a school shooting thwarted by the movements, left audiences polarized—some saw it as transcendent, others as absurd. This bold choice, blending raw emotion with surreal choreography, epitomizes The OA’s risk-taking spirit.

Season 2: Expanding the Multiverse

Released on March 22, 2019, Season 2 (The OA: Part II) doubled down on the show’s weirdness, diving deeper into parallel universes and metaphysical stakes. Set in San Francisco, it follows Prairie (now inhabiting Nina’s body in a new dimension) as she teams up with private investigator Karim Washington (Ben-Adir) to uncover a conspiracy involving a mysterious house, a tech cult, and missing teens. The season introduces new characters like Dr. Percy’s mentor, Dr. Marlow Rhodes (Chloë Sevigny), and expands the mythology with concepts like interdimensional “echoes” and a sentient tree network.

Season 2’s visuals are breathtaking, from the eerie Nob Hill mansion to dreamlike sequences of cosmic travel. The movements, choreographed by Ryan Heffington (Baby Driver), become more intricate, culminating in a jaw-dropping finale where Prairie leaps into yet another reality—one eerily resembling our own. This meta twist, blending fiction and reality, stunned viewers and fueled theories about the show’s deeper meaning.

Critics were even more enthusiastic, with The Hollywood Reporter calling it “a dazzling escalation of Season 1’s ambition.” The 85% Rotten Tomatoes score reflects near-universal praise, though some felt the increased complexity alienated casual viewers. Fans on X have since called Season 2 “mind-bending” and “a love letter to sci-fi dreamers,” with posts like “The OA Part II is what happens when creators trust their audience to think.”

Why The OA Stands Out

The OA distinguishes itself through its fearless blend of genres and themes. Unlike Stranger Things, which leans on 1980s nostalgia, or Westworld, with its sleek dystopian sheen, The OA feels raw and organic, prioritizing emotional truth over polished answers. Its influences—David Lynch’s surrealism, Carl Jung’s collective unconscious, and even quantum physics—create a tapestry that’s both cerebral and heartfelt.

The show’s exploration of near-death experiences is particularly compelling. Drawing from real-life NDE accounts, The OA portrays the afterlife as a liminal space where identity and reality blur. This resonates with viewers who’ve shared stories on X about their own spiritual experiences, with one user writing, “The OA made me rethink what happens after we die—it’s hauntingly beautiful.”

The movements, a central motif, are a masterstroke. Part dance, part ritual, they’re both absurd and profound, symbolizing unity and sacrifice. Heffington’s choreography, paired with Rostam Batmanglij’s ethereal score, makes these sequences hypnotic. Fans have recreated the movements on TikTok, with some claiming they feel “transcendent” to perform.

The OA also tackles identity and trauma with nuance. Prairie’s journey from adoptee to captive to cosmic traveler mirrors the arcs of her recruits, who grapple with bullying, grief, and self-discovery. Buck’s trans identity, portrayed by trans actor Ian Alexander, is handled with sensitivity, earning praise from LGBTQ+ advocates. “It’s rare to see a trans character in sci-fi who’s just a person, not a trope,” one X post noted.

The Cancellation and Cult Following

Netflix’s cancellation of The OA in August 2019 sparked outrage. Despite critical acclaim and a growing fanbase, the show’s high production costs and niche appeal likely contributed to the decision. Marling and Batmanglij had planned three more seasons, and the cliffhanger ending of Part II—Prairie waking in a reality where she’s “Brit Marling” filming a show—left fans desperate for resolution.

The cancellation birthed a fervent cult following. Fans launched #SaveTheOA campaigns, with petitions garnering over 50,000 signatures and flash mobs performing the movements outside Netflix’s offices. A 2019 hunger strike by a fan outside the streamer’s headquarters went viral, though Netflix didn’t budge. On X, users still post theories, with one claiming, “The OA was too smart for Netflix—it’s a puzzle we’re still solving.”

The show’s ambiguity fuels its cult status. Is Prairie an unreliable narrator? Are the movements real or delusional? Marling has said the story is about “the power of storytelling itself,” encouraging viewers to co-create meaning. This open-endedness, while frustrating for some, has kept The OA alive in fan fiction, Reddit threads, and academic papers.

The 2025 Resurgence: Why Now?

In September 2025, The OA is trending again on Netflix, climbing to the Top 10 in the U.S. and U.K. Several factors drive this resurgence. First, the post-pandemic appetite for escapist yet meaningful content has boosted sci-fi and fantasy. Shows like Dark and His Dark Materials have paved the way, but The OA’s uniqueness stands out. “It’s the perfect mix of weird and emotional for 2025’s vibe,” a Netflix executive told Variety.

Second, Brit Marling’s star has risen. Her 2023 film A Murder at the End of the World (Hulu) earned critical acclaim, prompting fans to revisit her earlier work. Social media buzz, especially on X, has amplified this, with posts like “If you loved Murder, you NEED to watch The OA—it’s Marling at her peak.”

Third, the show’s themes resonate in today’s polarized world. Its focus on connection, chosen family, and transcending trauma speaks to audiences navigating global unrest. A viral X thread from September 2025 reads: “The OA is about finding hope in the chaos of multiple realities. We need that now.”

Why You Should Stream The OA

For fantasy and sci-fi fans, The OA is a rare gem that dares to be different. Its 16 episodes (eight per season) are a compact yet immersive journey, perfect for binge-watching. The show’s cinematic visuals—think misty forests, glowing portals, and eerie mansions—rival big-budget films. The performances, from Marling’s soulful intensity to Ben-Adir’s grounded charisma, anchor the wild narrative.

The series rewards active viewing. Each episode is packed with clues, from recurring symbols (cubes, octopuses) to subtle foreshadowing. Rewatchers on Reddit have cataloged details like Prairie’s braided hair mirroring interdimensional patterns, making it a show that grows richer with time.

The OA also offers emotional catharsis. Its exploration of grief, identity, and the search for meaning hits hard, especially in scenes like BBA’s tearful realization of her purpose or Steve’s desperate plea to join Prairie’s mission. “It’s sci-fi that makes you cry,” one fan tweeted.

Comparisons and Legacy

Compared to Stranger Things, The OA is less nostalgic but more introspective, trading pop-culture references for existential questions. Like Westworld, it probes consciousness, but its low-fi aesthetic feels more human. Its Lynchian vibes echo Twin Peaks, yet its warmth sets it apart. “The OA is the lovechild of Lost and a fever dream,” Vulture wrote.

The show’s influence endures. Its movement choreography inspired dance sequences in Euphoria and The Umbrella Academy. Marling and Batmanglij’s storytelling has shaped creators like M. Night Shyamalan, who cited The OA as an influence for Trap (2024). Fans hope for a revival, with rumors of a third season surfacing on X, though Netflix remains silent.

A Call to Watch

The OA is not for everyone—it demands patience and an open mind. But for those who crave daring, thought-provoking sci-fi, it’s a masterpiece. As it trends in 2025, join the cult of fans who’ve found solace in its strangeness. Stream it on Netflix, and prepare to be moved, puzzled, and forever changed.