Netflix's 'Teenage Bounty Hunters': Review

Packed with quirky, loveable characters and a sprightly cast, this hilarious and surprisingly moving series is one of Netflix's most "fun" shows to date

Don't attack a girl with a hair dryer! 'Teenage Bounty Hunters' (CREDIT: Netflix)

                      by Jack Linsdell

Kathleen Jordan's Teenage Bounty Hunters appears on the face of it's trailer and title alone, like a typical Netflix show. It's an aggressively "fun" piece of popcorn escapism, packed with quirky characters, hilarious R-rated content and a killer, off the wall core hook. And, much like the vastly enjoyable Sex Education, it absolutely nails being the "show of the moment", capturing the current zeitgiest but in a way that appeals to the masses. However, much like that Asa Butterfield/Gillian Anderson hit show, Teenage Bounty Hunters also surprises as a high quality, poignant, nuanced and vastly relatable character drama too. And, the fact that it balances both hats so-to-speak with such taste and judgement, is both it's greatest commercial strength and biggest artistic merit.

Raised in a devoutly Christian and affluent family, twin sisters and high school seniors Sterling (Maddie Phillips) and Blair Wesley (Anjelicia Fellini) become accidental Bounty hunters in order to repay their Dad for damaging his car. Episode one kicks off with the big accident, that not only establishes their dramatic need (to earn money to repair the car before their Dad finds out) but also introduces them to the person who can help them achieve that. And, that person is experienced and ragtag Bounty hunter Bowser (Kadeem Hardinson), who reluctantly hires them to work for him "on the side". As you can guess, the three of them become a charming little family of their own with each episode featuring a new bounty hunt and building towards a fulfilling and hugely revealing finale. However, much to my pleasant surprise, the show exists beyond the key hook suggested from it's title, taking a deeper dive into all it's key characters and exploring issues around love, family, religion, sexuality, secrets and first sexual experiences in a funny but poignant way. Sterling has a complex love-hate relationship with school bully April (Devon Hales), Blair is struggling with sexual intimacy with her first boyfriend Myles (Miles Taylor) and Bowser is dealing with fierce romantic competition for his ex-sister-in-law turned boss from a fellow bounty hunter. It's a show that covers a lot of ground but astonishingly never neglects anyone or any storyline due to time issues. 

Essentially, Teenage Bounty Hunters is a two-hander between Phillips and Fellini, whose exceptional chemistry makes Sterling and Blair one of the best sibling relationships on the small screen ever. Both young actresses have infectious personalities, exuding huge amounts of charm and emotion on-screen and turning their characters into the sisters you wish you'd always had. But, beyond that, Phillips and Fellini are clearly having so much fun on-screen, to the point that they are so on point with one another's rhythms as actors that they become the heart and centre of the show. They have long and promising careers ahead of them. Phillips in particular reminds me of a young Chlöe Grace Moretz both in terms of appearance (it's uncanny with that blonde hair and wide, blue eyes) but in terms of being such an expressive and emotive performer too. We also have to mention Kadeem Hardinson, whose portrayal of Bowser may have turned him into one of the most loveable and funny characters in a comedy since Matt LeBlanc played Joey in Friends. Bowser's relationship with two energetic, wide-eyed and sex obsessed teenage girls creates so many hilarious lines, looks and reactions from Hardinson that you are forever watching with a big smile on your face. Bowser reminds me of Tommy Lee Jones in the very funny Man Of House, whose eye-rolling exterior appearance towards the cheerleaders actually hides the deep bond of care and interest he has for them. I don't know how much was scripted and how much was Hardinson improvising, but either way I could watch Bowser all day.

Virginia Williams also hugely impresses as the sisters' Mum Mrs Wesley, whose initial "woman of the house" domineering appearance is soon disessected into a much softer, vulnerable and caring persona, that actually warrants a great deal of sympathy from the viewer. Williams and Phillips share a highly emotive scene at the halfway point of the series, which is a particular standout to the ability and immense talent of both actresses and the chemistry they share too. Also, Wynn Everett's portrayal of Ellen Johnson, the fellowship teacher at the Wesley sister's Christian school is another particular highlight, to the point that you get really excited for when she's next going to show up. The entire cast of actors are hugely engaging and talented, and help make Teenage Bounty Hunters a pleasure to watch from start to finish. 

This Titled Productions/Netflix co-production manages to be side-splitingly funny one minute, then "bawling your eyes out" relatable the next. And, a lot of that comes down to very nuanced and engaging writing. Johnson wrote episode one and ten herself, hiring an team of writers for the other eight, all of whom deliver sharp and witty dialogue, clever and surprising plot twists and moving drama in each 50 minute episode. It's character arcs are flawlessly plotted, featuring surprisingly moving beats and progressions even the most aware viewers would struggle to predict. And, it's deep dives into themes around religion, sex and adolescence make got some fascinating and enriching subtext too for those after a little more. We even have an episode based around a Black women beheading Confederate statues for political reasons, which plays in a unnervingly relatable way with the whole BLM movement and the topping of the Edward Colston statue in Bristol, England recently. 

With top notch production values, a sprightly cast of talented actors, funny and engaging writing and loveable characters, Teenage Bounty Hunters is one of the most enjoyable Netflix shows for a while. It's both the best place to catch quirky, funny popcorn escapism and heartfelt, moving and relatable character drama too. And, if this doesn't get renewed for a second season (you better not play with me on this one Netflix) then I may just well cancel my subscription. Because, the truth is you expect a show called Teenage Bounty Hunters to be fun and quirky. But, you certainly don't expect it to be one of Netflix's best yet. It looks like in this case, they've won their largest bounty yet. 

5/5 STARS