Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama High Fidelity, which brings Nick Hornby’s beloved novel into the modern streaming era with a fresh, female-driven perspective that hits all the right notes.
High Fidelity premiered on Hulu on February 14, 2020, delivering 10 episodes with an average runtime of 30 minutes each. This romantic comedy-drama series takes the classic story we know and love, but reimagines it through the lens of Robyn “Rob” Brooks, a young Black woman running a record store in Brooklyn. Based on the 1995 novel of the same name by Nick Hornby and its 2000 film adaptation, it stars Zoë Kravitz as Robyn “Rob” Brooks, a young record store owner who revisits her past relationships through music and popular culture.
The series captures that perfect blend of nostalgia and contemporary storytelling, using music as both soundtrack and emotional compass. While staying true to the source material’s heart, High Fidelity updates the narrative for today’s audiences, exploring themes of love, identity, and self-discovery through a distinctly modern perspective that feels both familiar and refreshingly new.
Rob’s Journey: From Heartbreak to Self-Discovery
High Fidelity follows a record store owner who revisits past relationships through music and pop culture while trying to get over her one true love. Zoë Kravitz delivers a magnetic performance as Rob, bringing depth and vulnerability to a character who could easily become unlikable in less capable hands. Rob’s obsession with top-five lists and musical categorization serves as both her coping mechanism and her prison, as she dissects her romantic failures with the precision of a music critic reviewing albums.
Throughout the season, we watch Rob evolve from someone who uses cynicism as armor to a person willing to confront her own role in relationship failures. Her journey isn’t linear or neat, which makes it all the more authentic. The series doesn’t shy away from showing Rob at her worst, making her growth feel earned rather than inevitable.
The Supporting Ensemble: Cherise and Simon’s Dynamic
Da’Vine Joy Randolph and David H. Holmes shine as Cherise and Simon, Rob’s record store employees who serve as both Greek chorus and voice of reason. Their chemistry with Kravitz creates the show’s emotional foundation, providing moments of levity and wisdom that ground Rob’s more self-destructive tendencies. Cherise, in particular, brings a warmth and authenticity that balances Rob’s sometimes abrasive personality.
The trio’s workplace dynamic at Championship Vinyl becomes the show’s safe harbor, where music serves as universal language and genuine friendship provides the stability that romantic relationships can’t. Their conversations about music, life, and love feel natural and lived-in, creating some of the series’ most memorable moments.
When Past Meets Present: The Mac Dilemma
The series’ most compelling storyline revolves around Rob’s relationship with Mac, her ex-boyfriend whose reappearance forces her to confront her patterns of self-sabotage. Kingsley Ben-Adir brings complexity to Mac, avoiding the trap of making him either perfect or villainous. Their relationship becomes a mirror for Rob’s growth, challenging her to move beyond her comfort zone of emotional detachment.
The push-and-pull between Rob and Mac drives much of the season’s tension, but it’s handled with nuance that acknowledges real relationship complexity. The series doesn’t offer easy answers about whether they belong together, instead focusing on how both characters need to evolve before any healthy relationship is possible.
Success on Hulu
High Fidelity earned a 7.7 rating on IMDb and found its audience among viewers who appreciated its authentic portrayal of modern dating and quarter-life uncertainty. The 30-minute episode format perfectly suited the show’s intimate storytelling style, allowing each installment to focus on specific relationships or memories without overstaying its welcome. The series was canceled in August 2020 after one season, but has since gained cult status among fans who continue to champion its thoughtful approach to adaptation and representation.
A Love Letter to Music and Growth Worth Discovering
If you love stories about music, complex relationships, and personal growth, High Fidelity is the perfect series to binge on Hulu. The show proves that sometimes the best adaptations are the ones brave enough to reinvent their source material while honoring its spirit.
Why You Should Give High Fidelity a Chance
High Fidelity deserves recognition as one of the most thoughtful relationship dramedies of recent years. While it may have been cut short after one season, the ten episodes we received offer a complete and satisfying exploration of love, music, and self-discovery that resonates long after the final credits roll.
Series Details
Number of Episodes: 10 (completed series)
Platform: Hulu
Release/End Year: 2020
Current IMDb Rating: 7.7
Genre: Romantic Comedy-Drama, Music
Status: Canceled after one season
Protagonists: Zoë Kravitz (Rob), Da’Vine Joy Randolph (Cherise), David H. Holmes (Simon)
Key Supporting Cast: Kingsley Ben-Adir (Mac), Jake Lacy (Clyde)