Review: Netflix’s Big Mouth Engages People in Puberty Talk

Mood swings, uncontrollable acne and first glances at the ugly truth of menstruation— all the burdens of going through puberty have been boxed into Netflix’s new animated comedy, “Big Mouth.” This past September, Netflix released an original, new project, shedding light into the embarrassing ongoings of growing up through the experiences of four middle schoolers. Starring comedian John Mulaney as Andrew, series co-creator Nick Kroll as Nick, Jessi Klein as Jesse and Jason Mantzoukas as Jay, “Big Mouth” is fostering a new perspective on puberty through the eyes of adolescents going through it.

The ten episode series, which will be renewed for a second season, centers on middle schoolers Andrew and Connie, under the guidance of their respective “hormone monsters—” the sinister Maury, also voiced by Kroll, and the vivacious Connie, voiced by Maya Rudolph. The monsters lead the teenagers into hormone-induced rages and strange crushes as they traverse the seventh grade.

“Maury and Connie are my favorite characters. The hormone monster is kind of like the devil on your shoulder except it tells you to give into your sexual urges,” junior Andrea Izurieta said.

At first, Andrew and Nick’s overall discontent and quests to relinquish their sexual urges feel a bit repetitive. The boys’ perspectives on puberty are cliché and have been depicted countless times by Hollywood in movies like “The Virgin Suicides” and “It.” However, the show takes a turn when Jessie gets her first period and steals the spotlight— a breath of fresh air away from the suffocating boys. Following Jessie’s foolish emotions, her journey to satisfaction and her concern with her newly discovered womanly curves gives the audience a fresh perspective of puberty through the eyes of a young girl: a rarity on television.

Even with its emphasis of the trials of puberty, “Big Mouth’s” drastic exaggerations and crude humor cannot replace an actual sex education course. Indifferent to societal standards, the show includes silly songs with titles such as “Everybody Bleeds.” Furthermore, the lighthearted show ludicrously crosses the line between reality and fantasy— one episode follows Jay’s accidental impregnation of a pillow, while another episode follows Andrew’s porn addiction, where he loses himself to the “Pornscape.”

On a scale of one to five, I would give the series a rating of four stars and recommend it to viewers who have enjoyed other animated comedies like “Bob’s Burgers” and “Rick and Morty.” In the spirit of meaningless, plotless shows, “Big Mouth” lets one unwind and divulge into the smut-filled brains of Andrew and Jessie.