Common Sense Media Review
By Joyce Slaton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violence, drinking, sex references in teen sci-fi drama.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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I Am Not Okay with This
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 20 parent reviews
Based on 139 kid reviews
Kids say this show offers a unique blend of dark comedy, relatable themes, and supernatural elements, capturing the complexities of teen life with a strong focus on issues such as grief, sexuality, and mental health. However, it has been criticized for its mature content, including extensive swearing and graphic violence, especially in the finale, which some viewers find unexpected and intense.
- mature themes
- graphic violence
- strong language
- teen issues
- relatable characters
- dark humor
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
I AM NOT OKAY WITH THIS follows teen Sydney (Sophia Lillis), who self-describes as a "boring 17-year-old White girl" but is anything but ordinary. Along with the typical adolescent problems and terrible grief after her father's recent death, she has confusing feelings about her best friend, Dina (Sofia Bryant), who just started dating insufferable jock Brad (Richard Ellis). It's a good thing Sydney has her other best friend, Stanley (Wyatt Oleff), on her side—particularly when she discovers that her teenage meltdowns come with unexpected violent consequences.
Is It Any Good?
Lillis is great at the center of this teen-angst-meets-superhero drama with a terrific premise, cool characters, and quirky, talented cast. Things get off to a shaky start in I Am Not Okay with This when a bloodied Sydney stalks down the middle of a paved road with fury in her eye as the voice-over says "Dear Diary: Go f--k yourself." Voice-overs are notoriously tricky things, and it's certainly taking a risk to have the very first line of your show be half cribbed from Heathers and half bland (if vulgar) cliché. But Lillis is so good that she makes viewers buy right in to her character's irony and anger, and she has such great chemistry with every other actor on screen that her skills are immediately clear.
The building relationship between Sydney and Stanley is particularly choice; it feels playful, sweet, and real, grounding the supernatural goings-on. Building a drama around an angry young woman whose fury can literally kill is a powerful concept, and Lillis makes her angst sympathetic. The moments when she lets her freak flag fly are exhilarating and likely make for pleasant wish-fulfillment for the show's teen viewers, who may know a thing or two about impotent rage.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how I Am Not Okay with This portrays teens and their struggles. Are Sydney and Stanley believable characters? How do their friendships help each of them? What do you think of their use of alcohol and drugs to deal with their problems? What might be some more constructive ways of coping?
Families can also talk about why parents are often absent in stories about teens and young children. What types of storytelling would the presence of parents inhibit? What types of dilemmas do children and teens find themselves in when they must act as their own authority?
How does Sydney show courage and self-control? Why do you think these are important character strengths?
TV Details
- Premiere date : February 26, 2020
- Cast : Sophia Lillis , Sofia Bryant , Wyatt Oleff
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Superheroes
- Character Strengths : Courage , Self-control
- TV rating :
- Last updated : December 3, 2025
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