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Movies & TV

01st Oct 2017

Netflix’s new animated comedy is funnier, smarter and dirtier than South Park

100% on Rotten Tomatoes, and available to watch right now

Rory Cashin

Big Mouth Valentine's Day

In one of the early episodes we’re introduced to a sentient, 6-foot-tall tampon (who looks a little like Michael Stipe) singing “Everybody Bleeds” to the tune of a particularly famous R.E.M. song.

If you don’t find the mental image of that to be completely hilarious, then Big Mouth isn’t for you.

But if you’re already giggling at the thought of it, then we may have just helped you find your new favourite show.

All ten episodes for the show are available on Netflix to purge on as of this weekend, and it really does seem to snatch elements from some of the best animated shows of recent years – South Park, Rick & Morty, American Dad, BoJack Horseman, there’s even some of the emotional resonance of the early, great Simpsons episodes – and combine them into something very familiar but also hugely original.

Clip via Netflix

The show deals with the physical and psychological horror show that is puberty, which in this case includes both a Hormone Monster for the boys (voiced by Nick Kroll, who also voices the fictional teenage version of himself) and a Hormone Monstress for the girls (voice by Bridesmaids star Maya Rudolph).

And then there’s the rest of the voice cast, which features a very impressive line-up of some very funny people including John Mulaney, Jenni Slate, Jason Mantzoukas, Jessi Klein, Fred Armisen, Jordan Peele and Kat Dennings amongst others.

The reviews have been hugely positive, not just pointing out how disgustingly funny the show, but how cleverly smart and emotional it is, too.

“Big Mouth comes in strong and delivers an impressive debut season. May this thing spread as quickly as a seventh grade rumor and there be many more years to come.” – Den Of Geek

“[A] coming-of-age ensemble show that’s as tender as it is gross-and frequently, it’s really, really gross.” – Vanity Fair

“If Big Mouth manages to maintain this level of absurd-yet-relatable comedy, then we can rest easy knowing that series may become one of Netflix’s flagship properties.” – Cinema Blend

“Even better than the laughter that Big Mouth elicits might be the relief that most viewers have passed that age when each new day brings with it a different way for the soul to shrivel. We’ll never be young again — thank mother-bleeping goodness.” – Hollywood Reporter

“It’s a realistic, down-to-earth show that’s completely off-the-wall and swarming with magic manifestations of hormonal urges and the ghost of Duke Ellington.” – A.V. Club

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