Exploring the Coming-of-Age Comedy: PEN15 Review

Hello! If you’ve ever found yourself cringing through the awkwardness of middle school, PEN15 on Hulu might just be the series you’ve been waiting for. Premiering in 2019, PEN15 takes viewers on a hilarious, yet often painful, journey through the awkwardness of adolescence. Created by and starring Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle, the series stands out because it’s a coming-of-age comedy that blends nostalgia with raw authenticity, showing just how cringey and confusing those early teen years really were. But, with the recent release of its final episodes in 2021, it feels like the perfect time to revisit the show and reflect on what makes it so relatable and uniquely memorable. I personally love this show. My best friend Molly and I often quote random scenes and the character Anna reminds me of her!

I chose to review PEN15 because it’s one of those rare shows that hits you with humor, heartbreak, and pure cringe in the most endearing way possible. There are so many coming-of-age stories out there, but PEN15 feels different—it doesn't shy away from the awkwardness of adolescence. As someone who lived through those uncertain middle school years, I appreciated how PEN15 perfectly captured the ups and downs of that time. What also makes this show unique is the casting choice: Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle, both in their 30s, play 13-year-old versions of themselves, which adds a layer of comedy and absurdity to the show, making the moments even more exaggerated and relatable.

Here’s a look at the trailer to get a feel for the show:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfT
tsvB1D5Q

PEN15 is a comedy series that follows two 13-year-old best friends, Maya and Anna, as they navigate the tumultuous, often awkward world of middle school in the year 2000. The series is notable for its unique premise: while the show is about teens, the adult actresses (Erskine and Konkle) portray their younger selves, surrounded by actual middle school-aged actors who play their classmates. This casting choice allows for a hilarious contrast between the actors' adult perspectives and the naive, yet intense, experiences of adolescence.

The show is set in the early 2000s, and this cultural backdrop is key to the series, with a soundtrack full of nostalgic hits and plenty of references to middle school trends. It's not just a show about growing up—it’s a love letter to that period in time, full of all the awkwardness and confusion that defined adolescence.

Creators and Stars:

• Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle: Both of them serve as the series’ creators, writers, and stars. Before PEN15, Erskine and Konkle were both well-known for their work in the comedy scene, but PEN15 was their breakthrough as creators, showcasing their unique comedic voices and brilliant chemistry.
• Supporting Cast: The middle school classmates in the show include actors like Dylan Gage, Richard Ellis, and Humphrey Ker, who bring the world of awkward adolescence to life.

The show ran for two seasons, and its raw, honest approach to growing up helped it garner critical acclaim. It tackled everything from first crushes to embarrassing puberty moments, all while never shying away from the discomfort of the middle school experience.

What makes PEN15 stand out is how it walks the fine line between absurd comedy and painful realism. The adult actresses playing their younger selves creates a surreal contrast that only enhances the awkwardness of their situations. For example, Maya and Anna constantly experience situations that highlight the dissonance between their mature, adult minds and their young, naïve bodies. From dealing with first periods to the heartbreak of being excluded from popular cliques, PEN15 offers a refreshingly unflinching look at the messiness of adolescence.

In terms of genre, PEN15 fits squarely in the coming-of-age genre, but it also subverts expectations by blending elements of cringe comedy and nostalgia. It’s similar to other teen comedies, but what sets it apart is the raw emotional undercurrent. Shows like Never Have I Ever and Big Mouth also explore teen experiences with humor, but PEN15 feels more grounded—showing how high school drama affects personal growth.

PEN15 is important because it tackles the complex, often traumatic experiences of adolescence with humor and vulnerability. The series takes you on an emotional rollercoaster: one moment you’re laughing at a hilariously awkward moment, and the next, you’re reflecting on your own adolescent experiences with empathy. It explores universal themes like friendship, identity, and self-discovery, while also addressing the pressures of fitting in, love, and sexuality.

The target audience for PEN15 includes anyone who’s been through the middle school experience, though it’s especially relatable to those who grew up in the early 2000s. That said, its themes transcend time, and it can connect with anyone who's gone through the awkwardness of growing up. There’s also a sense of inclusivity in the show—it's not just about the typical “popular” kids, but also about the oddballs, the misfits, and everyone in between.

The show doesn’t lean into stereotypes but rather embraces the messiness of adolescence. It features diverse characters and doesn’t shy away from difficult topics like bullying, body image, and family issues.

The strengths of PEN15 lie in its authenticity, humor, and emotional depth. The casting choice of two adult women playing 13-year-olds is genius, allowing the show to emphasize the absurdity of middle school while still making you feel the emotional weight of the characters’ experiences. The performances are top-notch, especially from Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle, whose chemistry and comic timing bring these awkward, yet endearing, characters to life.

One weakness of the show is that, at times, the cringey humor can be overwhelming. The uncomfortable moments, while funny, can occasionally feel a bit too painful to watch, especially for viewers who might still carry their own awkward teenage scars. The tone can sometimes feel uneven, moving from comedy to drama rather abruptly.

Critics have praised PEN15 for its honest portrayal of adolescence, with The New York Times calling it “the most accurate depiction of middle school ever,” while Vulture highlighted its “weirdly poignant” exploration of growing up. Some viewers, however, felt that the tone was occasionally too heavy on cringe and not always consistent in its emotional arcs.

PEN15 is all over social media, with fans discussing their favorite cringe-worthy moments and connecting over shared experiences of growing up. The show’s Instagram page has over 100K followers, and it frequently shares behind-the-scenes content, throwback references to the early 2000s, and fan interactions. There are countless memes about the show’s awkward moments, with fans of all ages sharing their reactions and memories.

I haven’t gone out to purchase any new merchandise or books related to PEN15, but I did revisit some of the show’s most talked-about episodes after watching the final season. The fanbase is engaged and passionate, often discussing the evolution of Maya and Anna’s friendship and the emotional growth of their characters.

Overall, PEN15 is a delightful, cringe-inducing, and heartfelt series that perfectly captures the chaos of adolescence. It’s a brilliant blend of humor and raw, emotional moments, with an adult perspective that enhances the awkwardness of being 13. While the show may occasionally be too uncomfortable to watch, its authenticity and relatability make it one of the best coming-of-age series in recent memory.

Through this review, I’ve learned how PEN15’s blend of cringe comedy and deep emotional truths about growing up can resonate across generations. It's a show that challenges how we think about the teen genre, making us laugh, cringe, and reflect on our own adolescent experiences.

Sources:

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/07/arts/television/pen15-hulu-review.html

https://www.vulture.com/tv/pen15/