--- title: "Betty: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/tv/betty/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/tv/betty" critics_score: 76 critics_reviews: 8 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Betty (2020): what the critics said Critics' score 76 from 8 reviews: 7 positive, 1 mixed, 0 negative. 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 — Lucy Mangan Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 9 June 2020. 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. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/jun/09/betty-review-heres-to-the-skating-sisterhood) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Robyn Bahr Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 29 April 2020. 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. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/betty-review-1292346/) ## Vulture Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 10 June 2021. 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. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/article/betty-season-2-review-hbo-series.html) ## The AV Club — Shannon Miller Rating B. 20 April 2020. 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. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/hbo-s-betty-recaptures-the-charm-of-its-cinematic-prede-1842894907) ## Variety — Caroline Framke Rating Critic's Pick. 27 April 2020. 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. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2020/tv/reviews/betty-hbo-review-skate-kitchen-1234586014/) ## IndieWire — Jude Dry Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 1 May 2020. 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. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/shows/betty-review-crystal-moselle-hbo-skater-girls-1202228864/) ## /Film — Valerie Ettenhofer Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 16 May 2022. 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. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/864436/the-daily-stream-betty-is-a-superb-slice-of-skater-girl-life/) ## Digital Spy — Brittny Pierre Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 27 June 2020. 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. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a32979629/betty-hbo-sky-review/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/tv/betty.md