TV & Film

I’m going through changes and Big Mouth helps

Coming-of-age is a Vantage column where staffers share their opinions on a specific beat. From in-depth analyses of TV series to miscellaneous musings in music (and everything in between), this monthly column is an avenue to spread and inspire thought-provoking ideas.

In this column, Vantage Magazine staffer Ly talks about the fear of change and how she finds comfort in the vulgarity of Big Mouth.

At the start of 2021, I told myself that this year I’d consume better, healthier stuff—shows, movies, music, food—just anything really, as long as it’s good.

Then, I started watching Big Mouth (2017). Oh God.

For what it’s worth, I never thought Big Mouth would drop the hard hitting reality bombs that it did when I first started watching. It doesn’t promise you an epiphany every episode. One could even think of the cartoon as the exact opposite—it’s literally a cringe-worthy comedy packed with vulgarity, while barely concealing euphemisms about all things dirty from a teenager’s point of view. Compared to the likes of Bojack Horseman (2014), Big Mouth is not the type of show you’d take seriously and view knowing you’ll have an existential crisis at the end. Rather, it seems like something to watch for lighthearted content to laugh and to pass the time.

As I continued binge watching the sitcom, I found myself rooting for its main characters and reflecting on my own experiences when I was going through puberty. For all its salaciousness and generous sprinkling of f-bombs, Big Mouth presents the universal awkwardness of puberty in a way that is relatable to anyone. I saw bits and pieces of my teenage self as its characters went about discovering the wonders of sexuality, identity, and relationships.

There were even times I wished I had something like it to watch when I was at that point in my life. I mean, who wouldn’t want that feeling of solidarity as you go through one of the weirdest times in your life? I’m way past puberty, I still think I’m at a weird time in my life, and I thank God Big Mouth exists.

To put things frankly, becoming an adult terrifies me.

Now that I’m going through the changes of adulthood, I unexpectedly found comfort amidst the dirty jokes and profanity that Big Mouth offers. Its witty, empathetic writing only got better as each season progressed. The show, as its characters matured, began tackling more serious themes and feelings such as depression, shame, and anxiety. There were even moments when I felt personally attacked because of how much these events applied to me. Since Big Mouth is a comedy at its core, it presents life in a way that makes confronting my own monsters easier to deal with.

By no means is the show your friend that holds your hand while you cry over your problems. Rather, it’s like the BFF that interrupts your rant, and tells you something so ridiculous about it that you just kind of forget what you called them for in the first place.

Sure, turning to a show is escapist. But when life knocks you down and stomps on you, why dwell even more about how bad things are?

I realized that change will always be scary, no matter which stage of life you’re at. The uncertainty, fear, and confusion will always be there—but you don’t have to beat yourself up over these doubts all the time. Sometimes, you just have to tune your worries out, look around, and have a good laugh about the absurdity of everything.

You might like these!
TV & Film

Four Pics, One Icon: Can you guess these leading ladies?

As we waltz our way into Women’s Month, we’re revisiting iconic female characters from beloved films and series, both local and overseas. From romcom sweethearts to action heroines, these leading ladies are easily recognizable from a mile away. Want to put your knowledge to the test? How many on-screen queens did you guess correctly? Share […]

By Bree Bernabe and Madi Castro

March 20, 2025

By Bree Bernabe and Madi Castro • March 20, 2025

TV & Film

Companion (2025) shows how robots are more human than men

AS HUMANS, we are psychologically wired with an intrinsic desire to be truly loved and seen in all of our complexities. A fleeting moment comes in our lives where we fantasize about a perfect friend—someone who listens with undivided attention, an ember-like soul tie who provides warmth and security—who can be the complete embodiment of […]

By Alekxie Castaños

March 8, 2025

By Alekxie Castaños • March 8, 2025

TV & Film

Vantage Magazine’s 2025 Oscars Picks

THE OSCARS, with its transformative influence on film, has presented astounding features in this year’s select few. From gritty stories of eccentric entertainers like Anora and Bob Dylan to the contrasting perspectives of a postwar survivor in The Brutalist and a powerful oligarch in The Apprentice, the Academy has once again reinforced its commitment to […]

By Gaudenne Abratique, Ysa Agdamag and Alekxie Castaños

March 2, 2025

By Gaudenne Abratique, Ysa Agdamag and Alekxie Castaños • March 2, 2025

TV & Film

Eight films set in Filipino universities and what they say about love

LOVE IS everywhere, even in the halls of our universities. They say college is where we find ourselves, but more often than not, it’s also where we find love. Not just the kind that sweeps us off our feet, but the kind that changes us—for better or worse. It could be a bond that lasts […]

By Basti Cabasagan and Haseena Montante

February 28, 2025

By Basti Cabasagan and Haseena Montante • February 28, 2025