Prime Video’s Overcompensating, which debuted on May 15, 2025, is a show rooted in contradictions and it delights in them. Created by comedian Benito Skinner (known for his viral persona Benny Drama), the show serves as both a raunchy fraternity satire and an unexpectedly heartfelt reflection on queer identity. Supported by an impressive creative team, A24, Strong Baby, and Amazon MGM Studios, and featuring the unique style of Charli XCX as both executive music producer and guest star, Overcompensating comes with elevated expectations and a notably quirky confidence.
The result is a series that is vibrant, reminiscent, and sometimes inconsistent, but also one of the most surprisingly sincere comedies to appear in 2025.
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Image: Prime Video
Overcompensating’s Plot
The series centres on Benny, a closeted ex-football star starting his freshman year at Yates University, as he struggles to reconcile his hyper-masculine history with his concealed sexuality. In his urgent efforts to belong, Benny frequently resorts to exaggerated and absurd measures, “overcompensating” in manners that lead to both humorous and tumultuous results. With his sharp-tongued sister Grace, her charming boyfriend Peter, and his recent ally Carmen, he navigates a chaotic mix of flings, parties, counterfeit IDs, and identity struggles, all highlighted by a nostalgic early-2010s playlist put together by Charli XCX.
Combining sharp satire with sincere coming-of-age narratives, the show addresses themes of masculinity, performance, queer identity, and friendship with a mixture of humour and authenticity. Critics have lauded its bold and refreshingly candid approach to self-exploration, illustrating the absurdities of university life while anchoring them in emotional richness and cultural reminiscence. Featuring its keen humour, lively spirit, and genuine queer representation, Overcompensating distinguishes itself as a lively college comedy and an audacious rethinking of the coming-out story.
Critical Reception
Overcompensating has been widely praised by critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, it sits at a 93% approval rating, while Metacritic scores it 72/100, signalling generally favourable reviews (Rotten Tomatoes).
- The Guardian called it “an exquisite frat-bro orgy of shirt-ripping, chest-thumping—and self-love,” applauding Skinner’s ability to balance camp absurdity with emotional depth (The Guardian).
- The Daily Beast described it as “hilariously bold and refreshingly honest,” celebrating its unapologetic portrayal of queer college life (The Daily Beast).
- The New Yorker was more cautious, noting that while the show is “a new kind of coming-out comedy,” its shifts between satire and sincerity can be uneven (The New Yorker).
- Decider praised the chemistry between Benny and Carmen but suggested the frat-house tropes feel dated at times (Decider).
Audience Reaction’s
Audiences have readily taken to the series. On IMDb, viewers characterise it as “humorous, sincere, and different from anything else on TV.” A reviewer even admitted to viewing it three times, with each viewing uncovering fresh jokes and subtle details. For numerous individuals, the series strikes a chord as it embraces the complexities of maturing as queer in heterosexual environments. It’s chaotic, shocking, and occasionally vulgar, yet it seems genuine.
Why Overcompensating Works
Overcompensating stands out due to Skinner’s quick, dynamic writing, which merges pop culture allusions with instances of absurdity and vulnerability, allowing Benny to seem genuine despite his exaggerated characteristics. The performances enhance the material, as Wally Baram’s Carmen provides humour and emotional depth, while the ensemble, featuring Mary Beth Barone and Adam DiMarco, offers richness that transcends standard sitcom stereotypes. Charli XCX’s selection of tracks and her guest appearance offer a unique nostalgic flair, integrating Y2K aesthetics with contemporary queer culture. Amid the fraternity shenanigans, the series presents an authentic coming-of-age tale centered on self-acceptance, blending side-splitting humour with emotional depth.
Where Overcompensating Falters
Though it has its merits, the series sometimes faces issues with inconsistent pacing, as episodes fluctuate abruptly between comedic antics and more serious emotional scenes, potentially interrupting the narrative continuity. Certain storylines, like the hidden jock narrative, utilise well-known tropes and, although they have depth, still come off as a bit predictable. Moreover, casting actors in their late 20s or early 30s to portray 18-year-olds can occasionally challenge credibility, although compelling performances frequently make up for this discrepancy. Generally, although Overcompensating is amusing and resonates emotionally, these discrepancies hinder it from completely achieving its potential.
Verdict
Overcompensating is far from perfect, but its imperfections are part of its charm, and that’s why I LOVE it! It’s loud, irreverent, and sometimes exhausting, but also fresh, funny, and deeply moving. In a television landscape crowded with sanitised comedies, this one stands out for its willingness to be messy, queer, and unashamedly itself. For anyone seeking a coming-of-age comedy that dares to be both raunchy and heartfelt, Overcompensating is essential viewing.
Final Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Caitlin 
Clara 
Kath Smart