Watch American Vandal

American Vandal, a Netflix original series, follows the story of a high school student named Dylan Maxwell who is accused of spray painting obscene images on 27 cars in the school parking lot. The documentary series, shot mockumentary-style, is led by a student named Peter Maldonado and his friend Sam, who set out to investigate the case after Peter believes that Dylan may be innocent.

Throughout the series, American Vandal poses the question of whether or not Dylan is responsible for what has been dubbed the "Phallic Monster" graffiti incident. The show takes a deep dive into the lives of high school students, depicting their complicated relationships, anxieties, and social hierarchies. It also highlights the impact that social media can have on one's reputation and livelihood.

The show features a talented ensemble cast, notably Tyler Alvarez as Peter and Griffin Gluck as Sam, who serve as the primary investigators. Jimmy Tatro stars as Dylan, the accused, and delivers a strong performance as a troubled and misunderstood teen. Jessica Juarez plays Peter's love interest, Gabi, while Calum Worthy appears as an obnoxious student vlogger named Alex. G Hannelius portrays Christa Carlyle, a member of the popular Coolidge High School clique and Saxon Sharbino plays Sarah Pearson, Dylan's ex-girlfriend, who the investigation reveals had some sort of vendetta towards him.

The first season of American Vandal captures the essence of a true-crime documentary, with interviews and stylized reenactments of events forming the basis of each episode. As the investigation continues and more evidence is uncovered, viewers are kept on the edge of their seats, constantly questioning whether or not Dylan is truly guilty. The show's attention to detail is impressive, with the creators taking the time to develop each character so that they are not merely caricatures, but complex individuals who may or may not have something to hide.

As a satire of true-crime shows, American Vandal pokes fun at the genre while still managing to maintain a sense of suspense and intrigue. The show plays with the audience's expectations, using familiar documentary storytelling techniques to create a sense of reality while also highlighting the absurdity of the situation. The story is driven by its characters, who are all struggling with their own problems while trying to navigate the complicated world of high school.

The second season of American Vandal follows the story of a new crime, this time dubbed the Turd Burglar. The perpetrators have spiked cafeteria lemonade with a laxative, causing a school-wide outbreak of explosive diarrhea. Peter and Sam are again called upon to investigate, but this time they are faced with a much more complicated case. The suspects are divided by social status, race, and sexuality, making the investigation a minefield of political correctness and social justice.

Despite the subject matter, American Vandal manages to be both hilarious and insightful, shining a light on the absurdity of high school social hierarchies while also showcasing the very real issues facing teenagers in today's world. The show manages to balance comedy and drama in a way that few shows can, making it an entertaining and thought-provoking watch.

In conclusion, American Vandal is a well-crafted show that blends satire, drama, and mystery into a unique and engaging series. The performances are excellent, the storytelling is gripping, and the show manages to tackle important issues in a way that is both accessible and humorous. If you're a fan of true crime documentaries, mockumentaries, or just good storytelling in general, American Vandal is definitely worth a watch.

American Vandal is a series that is currently running and has 2 seasons (16 episodes). The series first aired on September 15, 2017.