American Vandal first hit Netflix last fall and seemed like an odd choice; after all, what could top a high school mystery about phallic penis art and fake lemonade? But its success proved otherwise, with several episodes airing over its run time.
American Vandal isn’t just funny; over its eight episodes, it has become an insightful examination of how we communicate and connect online.
What is American Vandal?
American Vandal is an insightful and entertaining parody of the current true crime craze, effectively mocking its aesthetic tropes while remaining credible enough to convince audiences of lewd graffiti and lakeside handjobs. Part of what makes American Vandal work is its serious take on its premise; taking itself so seriously makes the show work effectively.
This show follows Peter Maldonado (Tyler Alvarez) and Sam Ecklund (Griffin Gluck), two earnest teenage documentarians who use their investigative work to narrow down a suspect list for the vandalism of 27 faculty cars to just a small group of students, uncovering plenty of gossip, petty revenge schemes and misinformation along the way.
All is hilariously amusing in this show, yet its message also hits at some deeper issues. Social media has rendered young lives overdocumented, with photos and videos left behind that can be used against them both comedically and legally. Furthermore, the show explores socioeconomic class through DeMarcus Tillman as its protagonist.
At its heart, the story is less about spray-painting teachers’ cars with graffiti than it is about teenage isolation and an intense need for connection. It speaks volumes about being a child living in an ever-connected world that will speak volumes to both teens and parents alike.
American Vandal, Netflix’s entertaining and humorous new series, is well worth watching despite not living up to its initial promise. Boasting an engaging plot and an energetic cast of young actors – you will laugh out loud while simultaneously feeling touched – American Vandal stands as an impressive work from talented creators, providing something new in an oversaturated genre. Give it a shot if you need something fun and exciting to watch this weekend!
What is the plot of American Vandal?
American Vandal is a mockumentary in the style of popular true crime documentaries like Making a Murderer and Serial. It follows high school student Peter Maldonado and his best friend Sam Ecklund as they investigate a series of vandalism incidents at Hanover High School in Oceanside, California. For instance, someone spray-painted 27 cars at Hanover with sexualized graffiti; senior class clown Dylan Maxwell was falsely accused of this act of vandalism, but Peter and Sam believe otherwise.
The series addresses several facets of contemporary life, such as social media, sexism, class dynamics, and perceptions based on reputation or public image. Additionally, its humorous yet insightful premise serves as a commentary on how people may be mistreated due to perceived weaknesses or perceived faults in others.
American Vandal stands out for its ability to create characters who feel authentic. Its writers and actors work collaboratively on building them so that they sound and act like actual high school students – something few shows can pull off, and it helps the story become more accurate and engaging.
Another aspect of the show that has received significant acclaim is its depiction of technology and social media use by teens in everyday life, primarily through subtle yet effective descriptions that make the show both believable and entertaining.
American Vandal’s cast is fantastic, with each actor lending their unique style and charisma to their roles. Griffin Gluck shines as Sam Ecklund, while Jimmy Tatro brings charm and complexity as Dylan Maxwell. Calum Worthy shines as Alex Trimboli, an eccentric classmate who often gets involved with investigations.
American Vandal is an engaging novel with writing that is clever and entertaining, featuring a plot that’s both funny and suspenseful. Its concept serves as a perfect parody of true crime documentaries while remaining compelling storytelling material.
What is the cast of American Vandal?
American Vandal could quickly have become just another joke stretched too thin, but instead, it is one of those rare TV shows to successfully incorporate an outlandish idea into an intriguing and captivating narrative. Its writing ranks among Netflix’s finest; characters feel real while their slang, subtleties, and dynamics all hit home perfectly. American Vandal’s first season was an unmitigated success, while its second has proven just as enjoyable or even better!
American Vandal’s cast features both rising stars and veteran actors. Tyler Alvarez plays Peter Maldonado, previously seen on Orange is the New Black and Nickelodeon’s Every Witch Way; he will soon star in an expensive film project. Griffin Gluck plays Sam Ecklund – Peter’s partner and friend who helps solve crimes, with many credits under his belt, including appearing as John Carter himself and guest-starring on The Mindy Project.
Jimmy Tatro shines in American Vandal’s critical role of Dylan Maxwell, who is wrongfully accused. A highly popular YouTuber with more than two million subscribers and multiple movie roles like Grown Ups 2 and 22 Jump Street to his credit, Jimmy Tatro brings humor and honesty to American Vandal’s performance – promising even more excellent work to come in future endeavors.
Camille Ramsey plays Mackenzie, Dylan’s girlfriend, with great charisma. As one to watch out for, her star will only rise after such a successful project!
Matt Miller plays Vice Principal Keene. Miller can be seen regularly on shows like The Mindy Project as well as movies such as Batman Begins and Yes Man; his presence gives the story some much-needed gravitas.
What is the writing of American Vandal?
American Vandal stands out from other high school shows by featuring characters who resemble real teens – from accents and pronunciation to their yearbook photos – making the show highly believable. Furthermore, its mockumentary format creates another level of believability; unlike true crime documentaries, which typically focus on murder investigations, Peter Maldonado and Sam Ecklund investigate a senior prank gone wrong at a Catholic high school instead. This allows American Vandals to subvert viewer expectations while adding a humorous touch.
American Vandal’s success lies in its writing. The series creators share a passion for true crime documentaries, so their fictional high school drama shows are shot with all the dedication that Sarah Koenig (Serial) or Andrew Jarecki (The Jinx) do when creating their actual crime shows. Co-creators Dan Perrault and Tony Yacenda bring comedic sensibility from their background as comedians, making the show seem genuine even when mocking itself.
American Vandal has been an unmitigated success among both audiences and critics alike, but why has everyone been drawn in so quickly? Perhaps its appeal lies in how it doesn’t just offer clever mockumentaries but instead explores issues pertaining to youth injustice while exploring its accompanying helplessness.
Although much of the comedy in Dick is focused around the word dick, its writers don’t shy away from digging deeper to explore some of the motivations for crimes committed on screen. Topics like racism, sexual assault, and social media pressures have all been touched upon humorously yet poignantly, making Dick both engaging and alarming in its depiction of modern society.
