When I first tuned in to The Tribe, I was expecting a whirlwind of drama, ambition, and the glitz of influencer culture. Reality TV thrives on delivering larger-than-life personalities, tension-filled moments, and just enough chaos to keep you hooked. Unfortunately, The Tribe fails to deliver on almost every front.
A Promising Setup That Falls Flat
The premise of The Tribe seemed ripe for reality TV gold. Directed by Omkar Potdar and produced by Dharmatic Entertainment, the show brings together five influencers—Alanna Panday, Alaviaa Jaaferi, Srushti Porey, Aryaana Gandhi, and Alfiya Jafry—as they leave behind their lives in India to conquer the competitive world of Los Angeles.
At the forefront is Alanna Panday, co-founder of Collab Tribe, alongside Hardik Javeri. Each member of this “tribe” comes with unique ambitions: Srushti is growing her swimwear brand, Aryaana is chasing her music dreams, Alanna juggles her CEO responsibilities, Alfiya is navigating her early days as a content creator, and Alaviaa is finding her own path. On paper, this mix of personal aspirations and cultural clashes should have created a dynamic and engaging storyline.
But it doesn’t. Instead, the show stumbles under the weight of its own potential, delivering a narrative that feels both uninspired and superficial.
Dull Drama and Missed Opportunities
Reality TV thrives on drama, and I was ready for it. The ups and downs of influencer life? The creative challenges of content creation? The tension of making it big in a foreign land? Sadly, all of these elements exist only in theory. What we get instead are uninspired conflicts that lack emotional depth or stakes.
Take, for instance, the drawn-out argument over room assignments in their LA house. This subplot stretches across four episodes but fails to offer any real entertainment. It’s hard to stay invested when even the drama feels half-hearted.
The show touches briefly on meaningful topics like online hate, the pressure of consistent posting, and the challenges of landing brand deals. But these glimpses are overshadowed by trivial conflicts, like the group’s reluctance to accept Alfiya as a new member. This repetitive subplot drags the narrative down, offering no significant resolution or emotional payoff.
Characters That Don’t Shine
One of the biggest disappointments of The Tribe is how little depth is given to its cast. Each influencer has a story worth exploring—Srushti’s swimwear brand, Aryaana’s music career, and Alanna’s CEO journey could have been compelling focal points. Instead, these elements are glossed over, leaving their potential untapped.
Even the moments meant to showcase their personal growth feel shallow. For instance, Srushti’s swimwear brand party is highlighted in one episode, but it fails to dive into the challenges or triumphs of her entrepreneurial journey.
A Visually Glossy But Emotionally Empty Ride
Visually, The Tribe delivers some flair. The scenes of Los Angeles are vibrant, and the influencers’ glamorous lifestyles are captured with style. But these surface-level aesthetics can’t compensate for the show’s lack of substance.
The emotional core of reality TV lies in its ability to connect viewers to the cast’s struggles and triumphs. Here, that connection is missing. The stakes never feel high, and the narrative fails to evoke any real emotion or excitement.
A Bizarre Ending
If there’s one thing that stood out, it was the ending—but not for the right reasons. After a plodding storyline, I was curious to see how the show would wrap up. The Lakme collaboration seemed poised to provide a satisfying conclusion, perhaps even a sense of redemption. Instead, the Collab Tribe project is abruptly called off, and everyone is sent back to India.
This ending feels rushed and disjointed, leaving a lingering sense of disappointment. Considering the show starts with a two-year break, only to end after just two months, the abrupt conclusion is as baffling as it is unsatisfying.
Final Thoughts
The Tribe promised a peek into the high-stakes world of influencers chasing their dreams in a foreign land. What it delivers, however, is a lackluster reality show devoid of the tension, depth, and drama that make the genre addictive.
With its uninspired conflicts, underdeveloped characters, and anticlimactic ending, The Tribe misses the mark. Unless you’re looking for a background watch that doesn’t demand much attention, this show might not be worth your time.
Source: IMDB
