Big Mouth premiered in 2017 as a Netflix original comedy about puberty, and it has not stopped talking about it since. The show follows a group of middle school friends navigating hormones, crushes, and the general chaos of growing up in New York City. It is crude, vulgar, and often very funny. It is also surprisingly warm underneath the raunch.
The series is built around the voices inside each character’s head, personified as actual characters. There is Andrew’s inner demon, Nana, who is a lecherous old man. There is Jessi’s Inner Voice, a neurotic bird named Shamebird. And there is Nick’s Inner Voice, a sarcastic teenager named Hormonator. These internal monologues drive the action, and they are the show’s most distinctive feature.
Trailer, via Netflix.
The Voice Cast
The adult voice cast is where Big Mouth shines brightest. John Mulaney voices Andrew, and his deadpan delivery makes Nana’s crude jokes land harder. Jordan Peele voices Nick, and his performance as Hormonator is a masterclass in exasperated wit. Jessi is voiced by Maya Rudolph, and her Shamebird is a nervous wreck with a heart of gold. The chemistry between these three leads is genuine, and it carries the show through its wildest moments.
The supporting cast is just as strong. Jason Mantzoukas voices Andrew’s best friend Brian, and his over-the-top energy anchors the comedy. Tien Tran voices the ever-horny Tam, and her relentless pursuit of sex is a constant source of laughs. Jessi’s friend Carlos is voiced by Ever Carradine, and his earnestness provides a grounding counterpoint to the show’s excess.
“It’s like being inside someone else’s mind.”
That line captures the show’s central trick. Big Mouth takes the private thoughts we all have and makes them visible, turning them into characters that argue, cajole, and occasionally fight. It is a bold choice, and it pays off more often than it fails.
Puberty as Comedy
Big Mouth treats puberty as a universal experience, and it does not shy away from the gross details. The show covers masturbation, menstruation, wet dreams, and the awkwardness of first love. It is not subtle, and it is not meant to be. The humor is often physical and frequently crass, but it is grounded in a sincere attempt to capture what adolescence actually feels like.
The show’s approach to sex education is refreshingly honest. It avoids the preachy tone of many teen dramas, and it does not pretend that puberty is easy or pleasant. Instead, it acknowledges the confusion, the shame, and the occasional joy. This honesty is what makes the show work, even when the jokes fall flat.
Season Structure
Big Mouth ran for five seasons, and each season followed a similar structure. The show opens with a new problem, and it ends with some resolution, though rarely a clean one. The pacing is fast, and the episodes are short, which keeps the energy high throughout.
| Season | Episodes | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 | 2017 |
| 2 | 10 | 2018 |
| 3 | 10 | 2019 |
| 4 | 10 | 2020 |
| 5 | 10 | 2021 |
The fifth season was the final one, and it wrapped up the main storylines. That ending was divisive among fans, but the show had earned the right to move on.
The Good Stuff
The best episodes of Big Mouth are the ones that balance the crudity with real emotion. The show has a knack for finding the tender moments amid the chaos. Andrew’s relationship with his parents, particularly his father, is a recurring theme. The show explores the tension between a son’s desire for independence and his need for guidance, and it does so with surprising depth.
Jessi’s storyline is similarly compelling. Her struggles with body image and self-esteem are handled with care, and the show’s treatment of her anxiety is nuanced. The show does not trivialize her feelings, and it rewards patience with genuine payoff.
Brian’s arc is less conventional, but it is no less important. His journey involves coming to terms with his sexuality, and the show handles it with a light touch that avoids heavy-handed moralizing. Brian’s relationship with Tam is the show’s most purely romantic subplot, and it is a welcome respite from the chaos.
The Bad Stuff
Not everything lands. Some jokes miss their mark, and the show’s reliance on shock value can wear thin over time. The second season, in particular, leans heavily on gross-out humor, and a few episodes feel like filler. The show’s habit of resetting the status quo at the end of each season can also frustrate viewers who want closure.
The show’s politics are also a sticking point. It is progressive in its messaging, but it is not always consistent. Some episodes lean into stereotypes about gender and race, and others subvert them. The show’s handling of religion is also uneven, with some episodes treating faith as a punchline and others treating it with respect.
These flaws are not fatal, but they are noticeable. They are the price of the show’s unfiltered approach, and they are part of what makes it memorable.
Final Word
Big Mouth is a messy, vulgar, and often brilliant show. It is not for everyone, and it is not trying to be. The show knows exactly what it is, and it executes its vision with confidence. The voice acting is superb, the writing is sharp, and the heart is real.
The show’s willingness to confront uncomfortable truths is admirable, even when the execution stumbles. It is a show about growing up, and it does not flinch from the ugliness of that process. That honesty is rare in mainstream media, and it is the reason the show endures.
Big Mouth is a flawed masterpiece. It is crude, inconsistent, and occasionally grating, but it is also one of the funniest shows on streaming. It earns its reputation, and it deserves its audience.
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