‘Adults’ Review: FX’s Gen Z Hangout Comedy Still Has Some Growing Up to Do

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In FX’s show Adults, there comes a scene where Billie (Lucy Freyer) attempts to impress her older boyfriend’s friends by participating in their harmless teasing. However, her joke falls flat as it’s overly crude and boisterous, leaving the middle-aged parents not merely puzzled but offended. As they move away, one of them whispers to another: “She’s only 24.

In an attempt not to appear overly wise or outdated for my years: Grown-ups, much like Billie, seem incredibly twenty-four in their demeanor, reminding me of myself at that age – brimming with vigor but not always assured about their own point of view. It’s not that this lack of confidence stops them from expressing every fleeting thought loudly. At times, it can be a bit overwhelming, prompting me to gently urge them to pause and catch their breath. Yet, they are radiant enough (and surprisingly kind) to instill hope that they will find their footing eventually.

The strongest aspect of adults lies in their tightly knit group with an abundance of camaraderie. For Billie, Samir (Malik Elassal), Anton (Owen Thiele, who was also seen in Overcompensating), Issa, and Paul Baker (often referred to by his full name, portrayed by Jack Innanen), the friendship is the one steadfast element that each of them can rely on, regardless of any towering medical bills from hospitals, disastrous gatherings, or personal midlife predicaments that the universe (or more accurately, creators Ben Kronengold and Rebecca Shaw) might subject them to.

In their communal household, there are no barriers or inhibitions among them. Sharing even the most private moments, such as using the bathroom, is commonplace. Whenever someone wants to disclose something awkward or sensitive, they’ll ask, “Mind wipe?” to signal for others to forget it instantly. Their conversations are a whirlwind of simultaneous talk, filled with playful banter, misguided advice, and casual discussions about life’s enigmatic questions (“What is a JoJo Siwa?”) amidst breakfast cereal. These subtle details give the series Adults its authentic, well-worn feel; one glance at this group lounging together on the couch, and it’s evident they’ve been friends for quite some time.

Although they appear to find one another’s companionship perpetually intriguing, it doesn’t automatically follow that everyone else would feel the same way. In truth, out of the eight half-hour episodes made available for review, I discovered that my interactions with them were rather varied in quality.

The show, similar to series like Friends or Happy Endings, or perhaps its closest precursor, Girls (referenced in a premiere-episode line as “the V of our G), is a comedy set in the city that focuses on young adults. Like many of these shows, it doesn’t pretend that its main characters are virtuous or competent individuals. One plotline involves Samir and Paul Baker attempting to recapture their carefree youth by providing alcohol to minors. Another storyline follows Anton and Issa as they spiral into narcissism after believing that their negative thoughts may have driven a therapist to take her own life. Despite their self-centered, self-destructive, and often self-defeating behaviors, these traits add to the enjoyment of the show.

The issue stems from the payoff not being satisfying enough. In the first episode, there’s an intriguing concept similar to Seinfeld’s known as “the window,” which refers to the period following a sex scandal or racial blunder at work when everyone is anxious about their young colleagues and therefore inclined to grant raises or promotions. However, after introducing this cleverly cynical notion, the plot fails to either build upon it or flip it on its head, leading to a resolution that makes sense from a narrative standpoint but falls flat in terms of comedy. Another storyline later in the series is built around a specific sex act, but unfortunately, it lacks a strong punchline beyond the initial clever observation.

The edgy nature of the show doesn’t really resonate with Grown-ups, despite what some of its more brash characters might claim differently. The series tends to work better when there’s a hint of sincerity involved. This is where Billie, a character you’d be happy to have in class, often finds the show striking a chord. She’s at a crossroads for the first time, struggling with her lack of direction. In a heated conversation with a beloved former teacher (Daredevil: Born Again‘s Charlie Cox), she expresses the undercurrent of Gen Z anxiety beneath the group’s energetic antics. She says, “Perhaps that’s what life is. You go from being all high achievers to just some person who peaked in high school.

Moreover, it excels at blending sincerity with quirkiness in the character of Anton, a socially active individual who, surprisingly, harbors a deep-seated fear of closeness. This fear is expressed oddly as an almost compulsive desire to form profound connections with everyone he encounters – even extending to a dangerous stalker preying on their neighborhood, as portrayed in one of the season’s most engaging storylines.

Regrettably, the other characters in the story haven’t been developed fully as yet. This doesn’t pose a problem for Paul Baker, a friendly novice who primarily functions as a calm Canadian contrast to the others’ apprehension and cynicism. However, Issa, despite a compelling portrayal by Rao from “Deli Boys,” fails to escape completely from her character mold similar to Ilana from “Broad City.

At times, Samir appears to be inconsistently developed, making it unclear if his unpredictability is intentional for his character. In one instance, he’s filled with fear that he might have inappropriately touched a former date without realizing it (“You’re like an actual baby angel and, among men, you’re quite the softie,” he’s comforted). A short while later, he blunders a promising Zoom job interview by exposing himself to his potential employers. So, is he intended to be slightly creepy? Overly foolish? Or is he simply a product of erratic writing?

For a new college graduate, it’s not uncommon to be uncertain about their identity, just as it’s expected for a fresh comedy series to take time to find its unique voice. It’s encouraging that despite some initial rough patches, these early episodes generally improve over time. Luckily, the cast’s chemistry is strong from the start and grows even stronger. However, at this point, the show seems overly focused on itself, striving too hard for attention without quite knowing what to do once it has it. Here’s hoping that the series matures quicker than its characters so this talented ensemble can truly shine.

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2025-05-28 21:24