PEN15

:

Season 1
  • Network: HULU
  • Series Premiere Date: Feb 8, 2019
Season #: 2.5, 2, 1
User Score
6.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 60 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 42 out of 60
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 60
  3. Negative: 15 out of 60
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User Reviews

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  1. EludiumQ36
    Mar 9, 2019
    2
    Beware, all the 8/9/10 ratings are shill-bots. Notice how "too enthusiastic" they seem to be. Anyway, this series portrays a 7th grade none of lived or that anyone will live. This could've scored well on portraying the many genuinely awkward situations that plague both girls AND boys as they enter their teens, but instead it's wasted on the perspective of two girls that run into situationsBeware, all the 8/9/10 ratings are shill-bots. Notice how "too enthusiastic" they seem to be. Anyway, this series portrays a 7th grade none of lived or that anyone will live. This could've scored well on portraying the many genuinely awkward situations that plague both girls AND boys as they enter their teens, but instead it's wasted on the perspective of two girls that run into situations most kids don't see until high school or college. And the boys are mostly objects for the girls to play with, so, take that, guys? Go counter-sexism?… Expand
  2. shoulderoforion
    Feb 9, 2019
    0
    literally only made it through the first 3 minutes of the first episode. like nails on a chalkboard.

Awards & Rankings

35
#35 Best TV Season of 2019
48
#48 Most Discussed TV Season of 2019
57
#57 Most Shared TV Season of 2019

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. The Guardian
    Reviewed by: Adrian Horton
    Dec 3, 2019
    80
    Erskine and Konkle so convincingly effect the “no duhs” and knee-jerk emotions of the tweener years that I genuinely forgot they were adults for most of the series. ... “You’re my rainbow gel pen in a sea of blue and black writing utensils,” Anna tells Maya by the end of the first episode. It’s an insight into lockstep friendship, one of many joys over of the course of the series.
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  2. Reason.com
    Reviewed by: Glenn Garvin
    Mar 21, 2019
    85
    But it's the eternal internal world of adolesence that's mostly the concern of Pen15, and that's not always a good fit for nostalgia. Erskine and Konkle do not skip past the mindless cruelty of teenagers, and it's possible that for all its rip-roaring daffiness, Pen15 is at its best when it's most lacerating.
    Read full review
  3. Time
    Reviewed by: Judy Berman
    Feb 12, 2019
    75
    Though some episodes read as millennial nostalgia trips or rehashes of teen tropes, standouts that challenge the best friends' relationship("Ojichan," "Community Service") suggest that this sharp duo has much more to offer. [18-26 Feb 2019, p.108]
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