Benito Skinner’s new comedy-drama Overcompensating, streaming on Amazon Prime Video, follows a closeted college freshman named Benny. It’s Skinner’s first big move from internet fame to Hollywood, but the show struggles to find its voice—just like its lead character.
Benny is a former high school football star who enters college trying to hide his sexuality. He sets out to prove he’s straight by chasing a girl named Carmen. But as the show unfolds, it becomes clear he’s not fooling anyone—not even himself.
The show mixes serious topics with comedy but never finds the right balance. It’s not funny enough to be a comedy and not deep enough to be a drama. It also tries to appeal to multiple generations but misses the mark. It feels too outdated for Gen Z and too irrelevant for millennials.
One major problem is the timing. The show suggests Benny started college in the early 2010s, but random appearances—like singer Charli XCX performing songs from 2012 to 2017—make the timeline unclear. The show feels stuck between eras.
Another issue is the casting. Skinner is 31 years old, and while talented, he no longer passes as a college freshman. His performance as Benny lacks the looseness and humor that made him popular online.
There are a few bright spots. Supporting characters like Hailee, the silly roommate, and George, a kind LGBTQ club leader, stand out. But they’re not enough to save a series that spends too much time around frat boys and too little exploring Benny’s identity in a meaningful way.
Overcompensating is a personal project for Skinner, based on his own college experience. But the show ends up being more about straight people and frat culture than about a young gay man’s journey. The result is a show that feels lost, awkward, and unsure of who it’s really trying to reach.
Source: slate.com
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