A teenage sharpshooter finds her life upended in Under the Gun, a new Serbian series now streaming on Arte.tv. Sonja, 19, balances the pressures of Olympic training with a precarious home life, all while navigating a dangerous world of organized crime.
Her mother has moved to the United States, and her father, a veteran of the Kosovo War, is an indebted invalid facing foreclosure on their modest Belgrade apartment. Her brother, Vuk, works in a garage while also caring for his young daughter. Sonja’s exceptional skill with a rifle – she’s a champion marksman – offers a potential path to the Olympics, but her world quickly spirals into chaos when Vuk witnesses something he shouldn’t have.
With a price on his head and local gangsters closing in, Sonja relies on her unique abilities to protect her family. As police and criminals alike begin a frantic search for a skilled sniper, Sonja finds herself caught in a desperate fight for survival.
The six-episode series is adapted from director Srdan Golubović’s 2001 film, Apsolutnih sto (Cent absolu), which explored similar themes of brotherhood and vengeance. This adaptation brings a fresh perspective to the story, offering a compelling look at the challenges facing young people in a society grappling with the legacy of war, poverty, and corruption.
Heart and Breath
The series’ title may be understated, but Anita Ognjanovic’s performance as Sonja is anything but. She portrays a character caught between adolescence and adulthood, her full cheeks and dark circles hinting at the weight she carries. She navigates training and teenage life with a determined gaze, striving for a future that may only be attainable through a scholarship. Even when she’s running, Sonja appears to be fleeing something.
As the situation intensifies, the series masterfully conveys Sonja’s growing anxiety and despair. The direction emphasizes silence, labored breathing, and a pounding heartbeat, drawing viewers into the character’s internal world and the emotions she struggles to express. The soundtrack, when present, amplifies the mounting tension.
Despite its focused narrative, Under the Gun speaks to a broader reality of youth caught between conflicting forces, burdened by the shadows of war, economic hardship, and corruption. It explores the lengths to which individuals will move when faced with impossible choices. The series is a powerful and intimate drama that is both socially relevant and deeply engaging.
“Under the Gun.” A series by Srdan Golubović (Serbia, 2025), six episodes of 52 min available on Arte.tv.
