Critics’ reviews

Betty (2020)

8 reviews from 8 publications. Critics’ score 76: 7 positive, 1 mixed, 0 negative.

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76
Positive
7
Mixed
1
Negative
0

Most critics like Betty, and the praise is unusually consistent. The reviews describe an unhurried hangout series about a group of girl skateboarders in New York, and they value it for the same reasons: the friendships feel lived-in, the skating sequences have real momentum, and the young cast comes across as people rather than performers. Several reviews single out its handling of gender and queer self-acceptance, and one credits it with treating a storyline about sexual assault through the trust between the characters rather than through spectacle.

The reservations are few. IndieWire is the lone dissenter, finding the series flashy and entertaining but thinner than the film it grew from, style over substance. Elsewhere the complaints are minor; even Variety, at the lower end of the positive reviews, admires how the show captures the feeling of being a teenager. The spread is narrow, and the consensus is a warm one.

The Guardian
9 June 2020 · Lucy Mangan
90*

The critic praises the series as a laid-back, breezy charmer about female skateboarders in New York, noting its authentic, unhurried depiction of friendship and subculture. She singles out the show's smart handling of gender dynamics and its invigorating tribute to youth.

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The Hollywood Reporter
29 April 2020 · Robyn Bahr
80*

The critic praises the series as a soothing, emancipating celebration of young female friendship and queer self-acceptance among skaters in New York, highlighting its languid, joyful vibe and authentic cast.

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Vulture
10 June 2021
80*

The critic highlights the show's vivid, vérité-style depiction of pandemic-era New York and the enduring sense of freedom and motion embodied by the skateboarders, even amid real-world stresses and betrayals.

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The AV Club
20 April 2020 · B · Shannon Miller
77

The series successfully expands the Skate Kitchen world into an authentic dramedy about sisterhood and young adulthood. It delivers a spunky, infectious tale of community with strong performances.

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Variety
27 April 2020 · Critic's Pick · Caroline Framke
70*

The critic praises the series for capturing the visceral feeling of being a teenager through its dynamic skateboarding sequences and the authentic, immersive portrayal of the girls' friendships, misadventures, and personal growth.

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IndieWire
1 May 2020 · Jude Dry
50*

The critic finds the series flashy and entertaining but ultimately style over substance compared to the original film. The characters remain fun and vibrant to follow.

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/Film
16 May 2022 · Valerie Ettenhofer
85*

Betty is a superb, realistic hangout series about a found family of girl skaters that captures friendship, youth, and identity with authenticity and joy. It stands out for its documentary-like feel, diverse queer representation, and effortless cool without sensationalism.

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Digital Spy
27 June 2020 · Brittny Pierre
75*

The series offers a smart and witty portrayal of young women in the New York skating scene. It excels at depicting complex female friendships and the nuanced handling of difficult themes like sexual assault through trust and belief among the characters.

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Ordered by the weight we give each publication, then by score. Scores are normalised to 100; * means inferred from an unrated review. Summaries are ours, not quotations; follow the links for the reviews themselves. How we rate