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Season 1 – Overcompensating

Play trailer 2:08 Poster for Season 1 – Overcompensating May 2025 Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
93% Tomatometer 46 Reviews 82% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
Follow Benn, a closeted former football player, as he becomes fast friends with Carmen, a high school outsider; with guidance from his older sister and her boyfriend, Benny and Carmen juggle horrible hookups, flavored vodka and fake IDs.
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Overcompensating — Season 1

Overcompensating — Season 1

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Critics Consensus

As ribald as any self-respecting campus comedy but with a disarmingly sweet core, Overcompensating has nothing to make up for as it proves creator-star Benito Skinner to be the real deal.

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Critics Reviews

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Steve Murray Sydney Morning Herald Jun 3
The show isn’t perfect... Still, for most of its running time, it’s a smart, funny treat that finds comedy gold in the most toxic brand of bro-sculinity while humanizing characters that at first seem like caricatures. Go to Full Review
Judy Berman TIME Magazine May 22
Overcompensating feels... old-fashioned in its coming-out storyline and earnestness about being true to oneself. Go to Full Review
Taylor Crumpton Autostraddle May 21
The show’s cast articulates what pieces of ourselves we are willing to sacrifice for comfort and security. Go to Full Review
Alexa De La Fuente LatinaMedia.Co Sep 1
"Overcompensating" satirically demonstrates the continued presence of anti-gay and anti-woman groupthink that is regressive at best and at worst, the mark of an emerging fascist rule. Go to Full Review
Paul McGuire Grimes KSTP-TV (St. Paul, MN) Jul 2
4.5/5
Every character is written so specifically and given depth, you really feel how each character is overcompensating for something in their life as they try to adapt to some social norm they feel they need to latch onto. Go to Full Review
Kevin Fallon The Daily Beast Jun 11
It’s sweet, sexy, and a breeze to watch. A four-hour binge well-spent, plus you get to hear Britney Spears’ “Lucky.” Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Durk M. @durkadurk13 Dec 8 Amazing, show stopping, never the same, not afraid to reference or not reference. She is the sister I never had, the mother I always wanted. Amazing show! Can’t for the next 20 seasons See more Pedro Henrique C @Pedro2005 Nov 29 Overcompensating is simply perfect; a very simple and fun series that manages to deliver great entertainment. However, the story could have been explored in a little more depth. See more TheMovieSearch R @TheMovieSearch Nov 21 Overcompensating arrives on streaming platforms as one of those series that sneaks up on you with a surprisingly engaging mix of comedy, drama, and lighthearted chaos. From the first episode, the show establishes a tone that feels comfortably familiar yet energetic enough to keep you curious. It’s the kind of series you put on expecting background noise and then suddenly realize you’ve been paying full attention. While not groundbreaking, it offers an entertaining ride that delivers exactly what casual viewers often hope for—a decent time with characters you can enjoy, laugh at, or root against. One of the strongest aspects of Overcompensating is its cast. Made up largely of lesser-known actors, the ensemble quickly proves they deserve to be noticed. There’s an unpolished charm to their performances, the kind that pulls you in because you’re watching talent that’s still hungry. Several faces stand out purely because of how naturally they fit into the world of the show, making you think, Wait—who is that? I want to see more of them. The authenticity in their performances gives the series a grounded feel that many bigger-budget shows often forget to prioritize. Where the show struggles a bit is in the screenplay. While the writing is serviceable and occasionally sharp, there are moments where you can feel missed opportunities. Some scenes could have used stronger connective tissue—more emotional transitions, more punch in the comedic beats, or simply more clarity in the narrative flow. It’s not sloppy, but it’s not fully refined either. You occasionally sense scenes that should resonate more deeply but instead arrive and pass without much weight. Still, the writing does enough to keep the show afloat and enjoyable. The direction, however, understands exactly what Overcompensating is aiming for. The director succeeds in shaping the story around the cast’s strengths, guiding the audience toward the characters we’re meant to love and the ones we’re meant to dislike. That level of emotional guidance is crucial in television, and here it’s handled with confidence. Even when the script falters, the direction keeps the pacing steady and the energy consistent, giving the show a clear identity and an accessible rhythm. But the series does suffer from one core issue: it is extremely forgettable. Not bad—just forgettable. After finishing the season and allowing some time to pass, you may find yourself struggling to recall the subplot details, the standout jokes, or even the emotional turns. The show leaves a pleasant impression while watching it but doesn’t leave much behind afterward. It’s enjoyable in the moment yet fails to deliver the kind of lasting impact that separates great television from passable entertainment. Ultimately, Overcompensating is a decent watch—funny, engaging enough, and filled with fresh faces who genuinely elevate the material. It’s the sort of series that works well when you want something light but still character-driven. It won’t redefine the genre, and it won’t stick with you long after it’s over, but it provides a good time while you’re in it. If you’re scrolling through streaming options and want something easy, pleasant, and occasionally surprisingly effective, this one is worth at least a casual look. See more Riley M Oct 9 I LOVED this series!!! All the characters are amazing (love benny), it was super funny and relatable! Can't wait to binge watch season 2 :) See more Tess F @tessb Aug 27 the first show ever where i binge watched the whole thing, restarted it and immediately rebinge watched the whole thing. i need more!!!! See more Victoria T Aug 22 Loved it!! Was genuinely funny, great acting and a really good storyline that I feel has many great main characters!! See more Read all reviews
Overcompensating — Season 1

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Episodes

Episode 1 Aired May 15, 2025 Lucky When mom and dad drop off freshman Benny at Yates University, Benny realizes he has no idea who he is anymore; Benny's older sister Grace, a junior at Yates, reminds him that, for once, he's in her shadow here, not the other way around. Details Episode 2 Aired May 15, 2025 Who's That Girl Benny and Carmen scour the campus for fake IDs, so they can join the rest of the freshmen class at Rock Bar; Peter comes through for Benny, but not even Hailee can help her out; Grace befriends an elderly woman. Details Episode 3 Aired May 15, 2025 Black and Yellow Benny gets noticed by a secret society and wants to get Carmen the same attention; it is alumni tailgate weekend, so she gets to show off her drinking prowess. Details Episode 4 Aired May 15, 2025 Boom Clap Benny gets caught in a lie and gets into a fight with Carmen, but Carmen still basks in her new legend status; Carmen is psychologically tortured alongside the female pledges. Details Episode 5 Aired May 15, 2025 Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites In preparation for Halloweekend and the annual Chem House party, Miles suggests wearing matching costumes with Benny; after an unexpected hookup with someone totally off-limits, Carmen finds herself getting extremely vulnerable. Details Episode 6 Aired May 15, 2025 The Edge of Glory Carmen avoids confronting her disastrous love life while trying to help Benny with his; Grace confides in Janet who pushes her to explore other romantic endeavours; Peter, at his lowest point, makes a destructive decision. Details Episode 7 Aired May 15, 2025 Welcome to the Black Parade Benny and Grace go home for Thanksgiving prepared with cover-up stories to explain their new identities, only to find that their empty-nester parents have adopted entirely new identities of their own; Carmen is home with Benny and Grace too. Details Episode 8 Aired May 15, 2025 Crown on the Ground Carmen forces Benny to explain his web of lies; Grace makes a discovery; Hailee looks for her performance enhancing medicines; Miles wonders what he did wrong. Details
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Season Info

Director
Desiree Akhavan, Daniel Gray Longino
Creator
Benny Drama
Executive Producer
Benny Drama, Jonah Hill, Matt Dines, Scott King
Screenwriter
Benny Drama, Scott King
Network
Prime Video
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date
May 15, 2025