Mix Tape
Episodes 1 and 2
Written by Jo Spain
Directed by Lucy Gaffy
Based on the book by Jane Sanderson
Starring Jim Sturgess, Tessa Palmer, Rory Walton-Smith
Premiered at SXSW, no release date yet

by Chelsea Alexandra, Staff Writer

Music has a way of expressing the emotions we sometimes struggle to put into words. The right playlist doesn’t just set the mood for a party—it tells a story, evokes memories, and transports us to specific moments. Sharing a playlist is more than just offering a collection of songs; it’s like giving a piece of your heart to someone. Each track is carefully chosen, carrying personal meaning. It’s saying, “This is how I feel.” There is something magical about hearing someone you have a crush on say the magic words, “This song made me think of you.” And when you finally give that song a listen, you step inside with them, into their world, and feel their emotions through every beat and verse. Premiering its first two episodes at SXSW, Mix Tape is a new show that weaves between past and present, painting a poignant picture of love, longing, and the music that ties them together.

It's 1989, there is music bumping through the speakers at a high school house party. A younger, more bright-eyed Daniel (Rory Walton-Smith) enters the party and immediately takes control of the music. He begins chatting with a female classmate who makes it obvious that she has a crush on him. Suddenly Daniel slightly turns and spots a young Allison (Florence Hunt). The earth stands still for just a second as Daniel decides to go over and talk to her. Allison is hesitant at first when Daniel asks her to dance, she immediately comes up with an excuse. Yet, Daniel sweetly counters and Allison gives in.

Fast forward to the present day, we find an adult Daniel (Jim Sturgess) sifting through records, a wedding band wrapped around his finger. We find out moments later that he has been working as a freelance journalist, he’s married, and has a teenage son. On the other side of the world in Sydney, Australia, we catch up to an adult Allison (Teresa Palmer) who has just had a novel published that has much critical acclaim and scored a movie deal. She is also married and has a teenage daughter. Seemingly the two have lost touch over the years and have moved on with their lives. But when one of Daniel’s long-time friends sends him a link about Allison’s book, the memories begin to flood his memory which leads Daniel to wonder. Daniel, powerless to the stronghold the memory of Alison still has on him, reaches out to her. When Allison's phone pings, she's instantly transported back to the shy, smitten girl she once was, reminiscing about the first boy who ever made her a mixtape.

Now living separate lives—one living halfway across the world—they have lost touch and moved on. In 1989, their connection is marked by a tender, hesitant shyness, both struggling to find the right words, yet fully aware of their mutual feelings. These early interactions lay the emotional foundation for a story that spans decades, exploring themes of love, distance, and the lingering echoes of first connections. The show's seamless transitions between periods add to its immersive quality, making the emotional shifts feel natural rather than forced.

Walton-Smith and Hunt bring a quiet sincerity to their younger counterparts, capturing the uncertainty and intensity of first love. Their chemistry is both tender and heart-wrenching. Their interactions feel authentically awkward, yet brimming with unspoken emotions. Meanwhile, the older versions of Daniel and Allison, played by Sturgess and Palmer, anchor the narrative with a lived-in realism. They have lived fully realized lives. However, now the two are at interesting points in their lives. Daniel's son is graduating, and he will soon have free time while Allison is in the midst of a book release. When Daniel decides to send Allison a friend request, they begin to wonder what could have been.

Mix Tape sprinkles plenty of fantastic tunes from the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. The music not only enhances the atmosphere but also serves as timestamps, triggering memories and emotions both for the characters and the audience. From Nick Drake to the Arctic Monkeys, the soundtrack not only drives the story but becomes a character in its own right, just as vital as Daniel and Allison. As the two create their mixtapes, the music serves as a faceless narrator, guiding the audience through their emotions and unspoken connections.

“Bizarre Love Triangle” being the first song that plays as they catch eyes and meet is the perfect choice. Maybe that is my own bias seeping in because it is the perfect song. The lyrics set up the relationship between Daniel and Allison from the moment they lock eyes to the present day. The New Order song’s lyrics convey a sense of longing and confusion which is something that younger Daniel feels when Allison seemingly makes up excuses to not be alone with him. However, the narrator in the song grapples with their feelings for someone they can't fully be with, much like a young Allison. With its melancholic yet danceable synth-pop sound, the song has been widely interpreted as an unspoken emotion. The two begin to go back and forth making each other mixtapes filled with songs that somehow convey more than any of their words could, especially for a timid Allison.

Mix Tape hits an emotional chord while also being a love letter to music. Fans of slow-burn romantic dramas will likely be drawn to its nostalgic charm. Whether you’ve ever wondered about “the one that got away” or simply appreciate a well-crafted romance, this show is worth watching.

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