Our take
It’s no fun being plus-sized—or at least, that’s the message that we get everywhere, from tragic documentaries to self-help articles to shows that make weight the butt of every joke. Fat people are often perceived as inactive and sad and stubborn when those aren’t mutually exclusive with one’s size. In fact, there’s nothing inherently wrong with being big.
In Shrill, our plus-sized hero Annie (played by the lovable Aidy Bryant) knocks down all those lazy myths with her sharp wit and buoyant charm. She goes on everyday adventures that prove she can be just as delightful (and exasperating) as any witty millennial writer trying to make it big in her city. Annie isn’t perfect, but the fun lies in seeing her grow (not transform) into a better person.
The story
Annie Easton is a fat young woman who wants to change her life — but not her body. She struggles to make it as a journalist while juggling bad boyfriends, sick parents, and a perfectionist boss, while the world around her deems her unsatisfactory due to her weight. Then, she realizes that she is just as good as anyone else and acts on it.
Elsewhere
"The point of the show, really, is that you don't have to be a perfect person in order to be worthy of celebration. All the details in Shrill work to communicate that in subtle ways, from its easy, organic visual style to the costumes."
— Jen Chaney
"To call it a slice-of-life series wouldn't do justice to the well-honed commentary - on everything from false perceptions of health to institutionalized exclusion - but part of what makes "Shrill" so engaging is its diversity of storylines."
— Ben Travers
The details
Streaming arrival
Who picked it
Renee Cuisia is the lead curator at A Good Movie to Watch. In her spare time, she likes to watch K-dramas and analyze them to death. She's also seen You've Got Mail one too many times but is still convinced it's one of the greatest films out there.
