GLOW (2017)

The critic calls GLOW a riot of hairspray, Spandex and pure joy, praising its smart, grimy and ludicrous take on 1980s women's wrestling. The review singles out the diverse cast of women expressing themselves powerfully on screen as a standout element.

The critic calls it addictive, fun, and the best way to beat the 2017 heat, with substantive staying power. They single out the vibrant 1980s ensemble comedy and the women's performances in the wrestling world.

GLOW is a smart, intimate half-hour series that turns the creation of a synthetic wrestling show into a story of empowerment without self-aggrandizement or nostalgia. Strong lead performances and textured relationships make it a gem that observes its characters pursuing their own agency.

Netflix's dramedy has shades of Orange Is the New Black in its female ensemble exploring gender roles, anchored by Alison Brie's strong, ego-free performance. It mixes funny and emotional moments while using the wrestling space to examine individuality beyond stereotypes.

The critic finds it a mostly enjoyable underdog story about women seizing opportunities in a sexist industry. They single out Alison Brie's performance, especially her impersonations and vulnerability.

The show delivers an entertaining romp through 1980s female wrestling with strong performances and timely feminist themes wrapped in nostalgic style, but it feels overstuffed with characters and only partly lives up to its promising premise. It ends on a note of winning energy despite some predictability.

The critic describes GLOW as a drama that pretends to condemn but ultimately revels in its subject, comparing it to Boogie Nights, while noting it is better than similar shows from the same stable. The review highlights the focus on Lycra, hair and feminism but questions its overall quality.

The series struggles with tonal confusion and unlikeable characters in early episodes, making it hard to engage with the central story of actresses entering wrestling. It improves later with entertaining matches and an interesting ensemble, though it remains unremarkable overall.

After initial hesitation, the critic praises how the show respects wrestling and its characters, delivering a bingeable series with an incredible cast and authentic fandom elements that make it some of the best TV of the year.

The critic praises it as hugely fun 80s nostalgia with a strong cast and vibrant characters. They single out Alison Brie's pitch-perfect lead performance and the rousing training and wrestling sequences.

The critic finds the series empowering and surprising, praising how it centers women and gives them agency in a wrestling narrative, contrasting with typical tropes. The ensemble and 80s soundtrack are highlights.

The critic praises GLOW for using its wrestling premise and meta TV-within-a-TV structure to explore unlikable female characters and gender performance in a fresh, comedic way. She singles out the central dynamic between Ruth and Debbie, and Ruth’s embrace of her villainous persona, as particularly rewarding.

The early episodes are rough and uneven with an uneven tone, but the show finds charm as the characters develop their personas, leading to visceral wrestling scenes and emotional moments.