“Betty,” like “Euphoria,” speaks about Generation Z in a language adequate for the times, but in a much more positive key.

One of the most striking new releases from HBO this year unexpectedly turned out to be a project with an unassuming title for a broad audience: “Betty”. It features non-professional actresses, and at the heart of the story lies an entire skateboarding subculture, but the series speaks about important and relatable things — growing up, self-acceptance, friendship, and a love of freedom. What makes this show stand out and resonate so much? Let’s find out.

Slice of Life

The plot revolves around a group of friends who love skateboarding and try to build their own female skate crew. Their first attempt at gathering isn’t exactly successful, but Kirt and Janay, despite this, meet Mishutka, Camille, and Indigo (the latter is practically forced onto a skateboard by the girls).

The story in Crystal Moselle’s creation largely has no beginning or end. It’s more of a mix of various everyday vignettes: one heroine is shy about her sexual orientation, while another tries every way to catch the eye of a local heartthrob and skateboarding star, and a third tries to scrape together money to pay off a debt to a local dealer. Over six half-hour episodes, you’ll find a dozen such sketches, because real life throws surprises and challenges at us almost every day. And it’s this very life that Moselle has captured perfectly.

Stylish, Atmospheric, and Spirited

From the very first frames, the series “Betty” wins you over with its authenticity and realism. You won’t see any mind-blowing tricks in the style of Tony Hawk, but you will see people who are passionate about their activity, with different views, different characters, and temperaments. The series has plenty of skateboarding scenes, which allows even a neutral viewer to immerse themselves in the atmosphere the heroines live in. The contemporary electronic music and hip-hop tracks also provide the right support in this regard.

The series’ style is further enhanced by its vibrant visual aesthetic, from bleached eyebrows to glitter-covered nipples, from the colorful locations of various skate parks to the dynamic camerawork reminiscent of Instagram videos.

Plenty of Room for Reflection

While “Betty” is an obvious ode to modern hedonism (the heroines hang out all day, use drugs, make love, and skateboard), it’s far from shallow and offers its viewers plenty of important thoughts and ideas to consider. There’s irony about male views on women “doing things they shouldn’t,” issues of harassment (and how different genders perceive it), themes of freedom (one of the season’s most striking scenes shows the heroines trying to teach a girl from a strict Puritan family how to skate), and most importantly, “Betty” speaks about friendship, the ability to forgive, and accepting others as they are. This simple set of seemingly basic truths is presented here as elegantly, unobtrusively, clearly, and without the excesses of cheerleading feminism.

Is the Series “Betty” Worth Watching?

Yes, yes, and yes again. It’s a fun, witty, lively, and incredibly atmospheric series about Generation Z, which will also be understandable to older viewers. Perhaps after watching, you might even feel the urge to get on a board and try something cool yourself!

Trailer:

P.S. Check out an interesting interview with the show’s creator Crystal Moselle to get even more immersed in the lives of female skateboarders