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The Netflix series "Kiss Me First" has the look-and-feel of early nineties but what people say as well as the state of technology, is clearly set in the now.

The pastel-tinted, 2 piece, Australian tracksuit worn by Jonty when Leila answers the door - that was a nineties must-have (for some people). Other nineties fashion statements: the sand-and-lilac knitted top with geometric patterns, the checkered long dress worn over a long sleeved shirt by the protagonist Leila. The oversize jackets for females, as worn by Leila and Calumny's mum. The hair thingies (rubber-in-cloth).

Also Leila's (mum's) house was clearly last decorated in the seventies (with some furniture from the 60-ties). This would make sense if the series were set in the nineties: Leilas' parents decorated when they moved in, once they had a child there was no time/money/attention to spend on the house. Now 20 some years later this is how the house looks.

And then Leila works in a internet cafe. I haven't seen those in Europe since the nineties. The last time i visited one was in 2011 in Buenos Aires, and it wasn't that easy to find. I expect with smartphones and omni-present WiFi it is no longer there.

At the same time everyone in KMF has smartphones. They have fast internet (otherwise there would be no Azana). Tony Blair has come and gone and the year 2006 is set in the past.

So, am I misjudging British fashions and the presence of internet cafe's? Was it a mistake, did the set-dressers get the wrong mailing? Is it intentional? (I kind of anticipate the latter, not sure if that is a spoiler, I'm watching episode 3).

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    I'm intrigued... but not having seen the show yet, some example pictures would perhaps be nice, for 'the rest of us'. btw, N. London 2018, we still have internet cafes, though not so many, & they're probably still running the same hardware as 15 years ago, Pentium 4's on XP or Vista...over an 'up to 8mbps' ADSL ;)
    – Tetsujin
    Jul 11, 2018 at 20:07
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    Well 90's fashion is back in style in the US! Don't know about Britain though. stylecraze.com/articles/90s-fashion-trends-women The wikipedia page states nothing on specific era, so that may suggest it is now, but could be some aesthetic homage to the 90's since 90's pop culture is making a comeback, not just in fashion, but also with nostalgic television series such as the upcoming Netflix Original, Everything Sucks!
    – Darth Locke
    Jul 11, 2018 at 20:08
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    "Tony Blair has come and gone and the year 2006 is set in the past." Doesn't this proof it's not set in the 90s? - Asking why there is "old stuff" is a different question. - I also edited in a link to the trailer, so people can have a quick look at what the show looks like.
    – Oliver_C
    Jul 12, 2018 at 8:37

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Leila was born September 9th, 1999

In the beginning of the second episode Leila is at the pharmacy buying drugs for her mother, and she is asked to show her ID, presumably to check that she is not a minor. The ID shows her birth date, and that the ID valid until August 2020.

She is also alone during and after her mother's funeral while talking to health officers. These are strong indications that she is at least 18 years old, so the show would be taking place between 2017 and 2020.

Leila's ID

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  • Good find! Now the old stuff is one of the many questions the show left me with.;-)
    – Ivana
    Jul 12, 2018 at 11:41

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