PEN15 (2019)

The critic finds the Hulu comedy a minor miracle for its insightful take on the awkward, over-confident and insecure experience of being a teenage girl, which is rarely depicted so accurately on screen. It stands out for flipping familiar adolescent tropes in clever ways while focusing on the geeks from a female perspective.

PEN15 is an irresistible millennial coming-of-age series that blends brutal honesty with gentle poignance in its portrayal of middle school friendship and awkwardness. The adult casting of the leads succeeds brilliantly in capturing preteen behavior and nostalgia for the year 2000.

The critic praises the series as a warmhearted yet terrifyingly well-observed comedy about being uncool at school that transcends its central gimmick of adults playing 13-year-olds. The lead performances by Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle are singled out for their full commitment and convincing portrayal of teenage selves, delivering more heart than schtick.

The series combines the pathos of Eighth Grade with the outrageousness of Big Mouth into a ridiculous yet truthful comedy. Adult actors playing teenagers allows for scenarios that could not be filmed with actual teens.

Incredible performances by the adult leads playing 13-year-olds make the series intriguing and relatable, especially for its commitment to realism in awkward middle-school moments. However, it ultimately feels like a sketch stretched into a full series, making the whole experience less inviting.

PEN15 delivers a bittersweet, age-bending triumph that captures the excitement and terror of early teen desire with honesty and humor. The creators elevate their self-portraits into tragicomic masterworks through sharp, stammering dialogue.

The series is a big-hearted ode to the awkwardness of middle school that feels authentic and specific. It excels through its attention to period detail in writing, directing, and set design.

PEN15 is a nostalgia-filled adolescent comedy that excels in its cringe-comedy and heartfelt exploration of growing up. The adult leads' commitment to playing 13-year-olds alongside real kids sells the gimmick and the show's mix of laughs and poignancy.

The show captures middle school in all its disgusting, giddy glory through the bold choice of adult leads playing 13-year-olds. It is deft and funny with moments of surreal brilliance, though it sometimes feels more like a sketch show than a fully realized series.