Movies

From Heartwarming Nonnas to Dark Apocalypses: The Surprising Journey of Stephen Chbosky

BBG News

The heartwarming story about grandmothers uniting to create a vibrant restaurant has struck a chord with Netflix viewers. Directed by Stephen Chbosky and penned by Liz Maccie, this film, titled Nonnas, steers clear of the mature themes that are often prevalent on streaming platforms, opting instead for a heartwarming tale set in an Italian restaurant in Staten Island, New York. The soothing cinematic journey not only authentically replicates Enoteca Maria by featuring talented actresses such as Talia Shire and Brenda Vaccaro, but also presents a standout performance by Vince Vaughn as the central figure who ties it all together. Nonnas, though small in scale, is quite surprising given that Chbosky was one of the masterminds behind a somber series on CBS.

Stephen Chbosky has only two significant television productions to his name: a sitcom titled “Brutally Normal” for the WB network, which debuted in 2000 but was cut short after just five episodes. Later came a full-blown post-apocalyptic drama called “Jericho” about six years later. Initially airing only for 22 episodes, the show soon gained a devoted fanbase and garnered enough support to secure a second season two years afterwards. Remarkably, this creation of Chbosky was further extended through IDW Publishing (a comic book company) in 2009 and 2012. Throughout its run, “Jericho” inspired online miniseries, promotional websites, and even an alternate reality game – all fueled by the show’s grandiose and destructive narrative arc.

‘Jericho’ Is One Apocalypse Show You Shouldn’t Miss

The plot revolves around 23 significant cities in the U.S. being devastated by nuclear explosions, leaving the residents of Jericho, Kansas, to fend for themselves. It’s worth mentioning that this concept hails from the same creative mind behind Nonnas on Netflix. Although the series ultimately culminates in a second Civil War on American soil, it is the gradual and escalating tension leading up to this point that makes Jericho stand out among other dramas during its time.

The beginning shares a resemblance to Amazon Prime’s Fallout series, featuring distant mushroom cloud explosions, albeit without the soothing effect of time travel. Instead, it presents the grim reality of life post-nuclear attack through characters like Jake Green (played by Skeet Ulrich) and Emily Sullivan (portrayed by Ashley Scott). While Jake emerges as a leader helping the town during this crisis, Emily’s narrative is more emotionally charged, fraught with sorrow and heartache. As you can observe, this television show stands apart from what Chbosky is recognized for today.

During the first season of Jericho, things progressively deteriorated. Initially, certain instances fostered unity within the community and boosted everyone’s morale. However, acid rain and electromagnetic missiles thwarted the town’s attempts to recuperate from its losses. A neighboring town, New Bern, began blaming Jericho for all their troubles. Previously, there had been occasional skirmishes due to disagreements or escaped prisoners, but the conflict between these towns escalated into a major armed confrontation. Added to this were internal squabbles among the residents and the mystery surrounding who was attacking the United States, which is why Jericho found itself on the list of Top Cult TV Shows (alongside Twin Peaks and Doctor Who).

‘Jericho’ Was Inspired by Real Events

Creating a series like “Jericho” might seem straightforward, focusing on the impact of an apocalypse within a smaller, secluded community. However, much like “Nonnas,” it was heavily influenced by real-life events, as demonstrated during the 2007 William S. Paley Television Festival when producers Jonathan E. Steinberg and Josh Schaer revealed to a large audience that the events of September 11th, 2001, and Hurricane Katrina played significant roles in shaping “Jericho.” They explained that the aftermath of 9/11 showed humanity at its best, while Katrina exposed it at its worst, both aspects being reflected in “Jericho,” a show that delves into human instincts during extreme circumstances.

It’s worth noting that Stephen Chbosky brought a touch of humor to an otherwise serious film about a desolate American future. Initially, the movie was intended to focus on character studies against a nuclear apocalyptic backdrop, but Steinberg and Schaer felt that the two-hour runtime for Jericho wasn’t sufficient. After Chbosky joined to revise the script, he introduced “some female characters, a bit of romance, and some laughter,” which seems to be his signature style, both 20 years ago and today.

Despite catering to distinct groups of viewers, the comedy-drama film about Italian cuisine on Netflix and the dystopian series on CBS, known as “Jericho,” are both engaging choices for entertainment. You can stream Nonnas on Netflix, while Jericho is accessible on Paramount+.

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2025-05-25 00:32

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