Yes, it is an animated series, but if animated programs have historically been associated with children’s entertainment, the medium has evolved to cater to audiences of all ages.
In fact, animated programs have the freedom to explore complex themes, tackle critical matters and experiment with different visual styles that live-action shows cannot.
Big Mouth does just that: it delves into puberty in an irreverent yet hilarious way — it’s the show you’ve been waiting for all your life without even knowing it. (I mean it.)
Created by Nick Kroll, Andrew Goldberg, Mark Levine and Jennifer Flackett, this binge-worthy comedy series has been an audience favourite from the beginning.
Rightfully so, it has a unique blend of wit, insight and truth about the tumultuous journey that is puberty.
“Big Mouth takes an equal look at what it’s like for girls and women, the process of going through puberty, which I think has not been quite as explored in most popular culture,” creator Nick Kroll said in an interview on NPR.
Set in the suburban town of Bridgeton, the show follows a group of middle school friends as they navigate adolescence’s awkward and sometimes embarrassing challenges.
Big Mouth tackles taboo topics unapologetically, perfectly blending humour and honesty. It is a refreshing take on the struggles we face(d) when this inevitable phenomenon occurs.
Kroll, John Mulaney, Jessi Klein and the iconic Maya Rudolph voice the show’s colourful characters. From hormone monsters to talking genitalia, Big Mouth isn’t afraid to push boundaries, depicting the messy realities of growing up with humour.
But beneath its irreverent surface, Big Mouth also offers genuine insights into the human experience. Through its clever storytelling and sharp wit, the show explores themes of identity, sexuality and self-discovery with a nuance and depth rarely seen.
One of the show’s greatest strengths is its ability to balance crude humour with a genuine heart. While Big Mouth isn’t afraid to embrace the awkwardness of puberty, it also acknowledges the emotional challenges that come with it. Whether it’s dealing with body image issues, navigating first crushes or grappling with changing friendships, the characters in Big Mouth face their struggles with an honesty that’s never been achieved before.
If you still need convincing, Big Mouth has a 94 per cent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, 11 awards (three of which are Primetime Emmys) and an impressive 58 nominations.
“[Big Mouth] is not a show for 12-year-olds, but it is fun for anyone who felt like a mess as their hormones went bonkers for several years”, wrote critic Soraya Nadia McDonald for Andscape.
“Disgusting? Sometimes. But it’s all in service of a noble goal: providing one of TV’s most honest depictions of growing up,” wrote Laura Bradley for Vanity Fair.
Big Mouth’s seven seasons are available on Netflix and are rated 15+.
And if you want more, a spin-off series exists, Human Resources, which focuses on everything hormone monsters-related and much more (also on Netflix).
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