Common Sense Media Review
By Joyce Slaton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Language, drugs, sex in fresh, feminist skateboard series.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Betty
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In skateboard parlance, a BETTY is a female skater, but all Kirt (Nina Moran), Janay (Dede Lovelace), Camille (Rachelle Vinburg), Honeybear (Kabrina Adams, credited as Moonbear), and Indigo (Ajani Russell) want to do is hang out without getting hassled by other skaters, the cops, their parents, and everyone else who wants to come between them and a good time. In the streets, apartments, and skate parks of New York City, they practice their moves and deal with things as they come, sure about at least one thing: They have each other's backs, even if no one else does.
Is It Any Good?
A loose-limbed joy ride that'll make viewers want to move to New York City and start rolling around on a board, this show feels both real and fresh. The first thing that most who watch Betty will catch on to is the gorgeous camera work, as Kirt weaves casually in and out of traffic, running red lights, grabbing on to the back of a truck when she needs a lift, and then gracefully gliding away when it stops. It looks terrifying but joyful; it's something most people would never do, but watching it, you kind of want to. When she makes it to the skate park, the camera's gaze goes wild, wandering from board-level to shots from above to watch heart-stopping tricks.
The group of young women at the heart of Betty's untethered story takes some time to come together, and it's a joy to watch as they cheer one another on in a corner of the skate park and roam the city streets on one mission or another. They look tough and beautiful, skating in a wedge that literally stops traffic. But off their boards, all the problems in their lives creep in. The girls are empowered by their mode of transport: "That's why we have boards, so we don't have to take the bus," says Camille. "We hop on our boards, we're out." Exactly. On stable ground, there are confusing relationships, creeps who steal your stuff and catcall you, and parents who don't support the real you. On wheels, this group is unstoppable.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether Betty makes being a teen look like fun. Is it realistic? Do the teens you know look and act like this? Do they have these types of problems? Does a show have to be realistic and believable in order to be enjoyable?
Why do you think drinking, smoking, and drugs are so prevalent in this series? Are they glamorized? How much of a role do substances play in this story? Is this show's depiction of teen substance use realistic?
How do the main characters demonstrate empathy and teamwork? What about courage, perseverance, and integrity? Why are these important character strengths?
TV Details
- Premiere date : May 1, 2020
- Cast : Dede Lovelace , Kabrina Adams , Nina Moran
- Network : HBO
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Friendship , Sports
- Character Strengths : Courage , Empathy , Integrity , Perseverance , Teamwork
- TV rating :
- Last updated : December 8, 2025
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