Netflix's American Vandal, a satirical mockumentary that parodies the true crime genre, has been hailed by fans as an essential binge-watch that can be completed in a single weekend. The series, which originally launched in 2017, holds a 98% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and has been described by viewers as 'ridiculous' and 'extreme' in the best possible way.
What is American Vandal About?
The eight-episode first season examines the consequences of a series of high school pranks. Senior pupil Dylan Maxwell is accused of the offences and subsequently expelled, prompting budding student documentarian Peter Maldonado to launch his own investigation, supported by his friend Sam Ecklund. The duo works to uncover the true culprit behind the crimes.
The second season follows Peter and Sam as they tackle a new case at a different school, probing the contamination of the cafeteria's lemonade by an enigmatic individual dubbed 'The T**d Burglar'. Unlike traditional true crime documentaries, American Vandal is not based on real events; it is a mockumentary that brilliantly embraces and satirises the genre, keeping audiences guessing until the final moments.
Critical and Fan Reception
The series has garnered widespread acclaim. One viewer stated that it 'ruined all true crime shows' for them, explaining: 'It is a parody of true crime shows taken to the extreme. (It takes) a ridiculous (and fictional) crime and applied the same thorough reporting, language, and gravitas as a traditional true crime show. The joke, however, is on me, and any other viewer who finds themselves getting just as caught up in American Vandal as they did Making A Murderer or The Keepers, despite the wildly different subject matter.'
Another fan wrote: 'This is the only series on Netflix that I have binged in the true sense of the word. The writing is superb, combining mystery and hilarity. Don't miss it.' A third commented: 'American Vandal is easily one of the best pieces of media that Netflix has put out in a long time - maybe ever. This show is criminally underrated and it is plain addictive.'
Cast and Production
The ensemble cast includes Tyler Alvarez, who later appeared in Netflix's Blockbuster and the American adaptation of Ghosts, alongside Locke and Key's Griffin Gluck and Jimmy Tatro. Tatro currently stars in Netflix's latest Will Ferrell series The Hawk, portraying the comedy icon's on-screen son, and is reportedly in advanced talks for a significant role in a Superman spin-off series.
Despite its popularity, Netflix announced there would be no third season, prompting one critic to declare: 'American Vandal was too good for this world and we didn't deserve it.' Both fans and critics continue to urge viewers to watch the series, with one review calling it 'the streamer's greatest ever comedy'.
American Vandal is streaming on Netflix.
