The best show available on Netflix about a rag tag group of children going through a difficult time is not Stranger Things. This honor should only be given to Big Mouth, Netflix’s newest animated comedy.
Created by Nick Kroll and Andrew Goldberg, the show follows the characters “Nick” (Kroll) and “Andrew” (John Mulaney) as the boys face the challenges of puberty and middle school in the suburbs of New York.
Each 30-minute episode follows Nick, Andrew and a few of their friends through embarrassing moments, confusing bodily changes and the occasional musical number.
The show should probably come with a disclaimer warning viewers that the jokes are at times unprecedentedly shocking and the depictions of bodily functions are not for the faint of heart.
For some, the graphic images and descriptions will only momentarily entertain before forcing the viewer to revisit the reality of adolescence in a painfully honest avalanche.
The show’s young characters are realistically nuanced and rarely fall into any one middle school stereotype. This is due to the sharp, honest writing and genius voice actors who feed their teenage characters with hints of adult retrospect.
One of these charming characters, “Jay,” voiced by Jason Mantzoukas, is the epitome of unpredictable as he acts out in horrifying moments of misconduct, all while breaking your heart with his sincere need for parental affection.
The other characters on the show are less charming, but unique in the their own ways. Some of these characters include “the Hormone Monster,” “the Hormone Monstress,” “the Ghost of Duke Ellington,” “Freddie Mercury,” “Socrates,” a pillow, “Nathan Fillion,” and “Antonin Scalia.”
For those in the mood for boundary-pushing humor, children making non-child friendly jokes and perfectly timed fourth wall breaks, I suggest starting Big Mouth as soon as possible. Try not to be deterred by the shows quirky animation style, the heart of the storylines prevails over any disturbing facial features.
Watch with friends and revel in the all-too-familiar horror of middle school tribulations. By the second episode you will be quoting the Hormone Monster.
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