Hilarious, draw-dropping, intriguing, and keeps you on the edge of your seat are only a few phrases that can describe the rollercoaster ride of watching American Vandal,  a Netflix original series that is filmed like it is a docu-series. Over the course of this eight episode season, Peter, a sophomore at Hanover High School is an aspiring documentarian and uses his talents to his advantage. He tries to prove who is guilty…or who is innocent when an act of school vandalism goes to far. Through the entirety of the show you are left wondering, who drew the paraphernalia on twenty seven of the teachers cars? You can have your own theories and assumptions on who did it, but you’ll have to watch Peter Molanado’s documentary in order to crack open the case.

If I were to rate this Netflix original series, I would give it an 8/10. Yes, I might have watched the entire series in a 48 hour period and yes, I am already hopeful for a second season but there a few things that the show could’ve done to earn those two points. The ending was more than a little disappointing because the anticipation built up through the seven episodes prior was sadly unfulfilled. It reminded me of when you are thinking all day long about a food you are going to eat when you get home just to find out that someone else ate it when you get there. Another disappointing factor in the show was how short it was. Each episode ranged from 28-36 minutes long and there were only eight episodes. I felt like there were many other theories or ideas that they could’ve touched base on that could’ve made the series longer and more intricate. They could’ve developed the characters more so you could infer more about them and understand the motive behind the culprit of the twenty seven cars they vandalized.

Although, there were plenty of other things that American Vandal did in order for them to earn those other eight points. All in all, I LOVED this show because I thought the storyline was pure magic. It reminded me of Making a Murder but a parody version. I enjoyed how seriously the vandalism was taken when the premise behind it was… childish to say the least. Trying to keep a straight face while watching a bunch of teachers and students figure out who would have a motive to draw twenty seven images of male genitalia on cars can be a tad difficult. Despite the premises of the crime, I thought the director did a great job of still keeping the serious tone when watching Peter make this viral documentary. At times, I would realize what kind of storyline I was watching and I would question why I was even still watching it. but then it became too good to care. My favorite character overall was Dylan, he was the student who was accused of the crime throughout the majority of the show. Not only was he was the funniest character but he was also the one that I felt the most sympathy for.

I hope that after reading this review, you decide to spend your weekend binge watching American Vandal (because I know I did). I think that by the end of the TV series, despite all the jokes, you learn a valuable life lesson. It makes you question how you perceive people based on the image they have obtained versus who they really are. I’ve recommended this show to all of my family and friends and I am now recommending it to you. Go watch it!