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Season 1 – American Vandal

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – American Vandal Sep 2017 Comedy Crime Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
98% Tomatometer 49 Reviews 90% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
True-crime series are gaining popularity on TV so, of course, there was bound to be a satire of the genre. "American Vandal" takes a look at the aftermath of various high school pranks. Aspiring student documentarian Peter Maldonado takes it upon himself, with help from friend Sam Ecklund, to investigate the cases and find out exactly who is responsible for the crimes. After looking into vandalism at a public high school, Peter and Sam head to a Catholic school after the cafeteria's lemonade is contaminated with laxatives. In the style of the genre it lampoons, the series leaves viewers wondering who the real perpetrator is until the very end.
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American Vandal — Season 1

American Vandal — Season 1

What to Know

Critics Consensus

American Vandal pays satirical dividends while also working as a genuinely absorbing mystery that offers thought-provoking commentary on modern entertainment.

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Critics Reviews

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Brandon Katz Observer 06/14/2018
In its own unique way, the show crystallized what it's like to be young in the social media age. Go to Full Review Amanda Petrusich The New Yorker 12/26/2017
American Vandal can be a brutal indictment of how the culture codifies and institutionalizes narrative. We hunger for conclusions, especially when there aren't any good ones. Go to Full Review Phoebe Reilly Rolling Stone 12/14/2017
It's hilarious and, somehow, quietly heartbreaking. Go to Full Review Nathan Mattise Ars Technica 07/28/2021
Calling American Vandal a mere parody of the blossoming true-crime style sells this eight-episode series way, way short. Go to Full Review Alberto Carlos Espinof 08/12/2019
Not only is it a series that has understood the genre of true crime, but it has also perfected it. [Full Review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Morgan Jeffery Digital Spy 12/03/2018
The end result is something funny, sad and compelling. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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OOM P @OOMPod Jul 17 American Vandal Season 1 completely surprised me. The premise is so ridiculous on paper, but the show treats the mystery like a real documentary, and somehow it works. I was genuinely invested in finding out what happened, and the cast did a great job making the characters feel believable. They made me care about some characters and absolutely despise others—especially Mackenzie. The mockumentary style was also really well done. It's not visually flashy, but it commits to the documentary format and makes the whole thing feel authentic. My biggest issues were the pacing and the ending. A few episodes felt repetitive and dragged with repeated segments, and I wasn't a fan of the open-ended finale. Since Season 2 follows a completely different case, it feels like I never got the resolution I wanted. Even with those flaws, it's still a really enjoyable and surprisingly clever show that hooked me from the beginning. See more emdash T @RT19541703 08/11/2024 Don't let its ridiculous premise deceive you—this show is genuinely good. Despite being a mockumentary, its mystery has more layers, is better constructed, and is more captivating than that of many "serious" crime shows. The acting is superb as well. The portrayal of high schoolers is shockingly realistic, and there's no doubt some of the characters will remind you of real people you knew back in high school. Can't recommend enough, especially if you're looking for something entertaining to watch with friends. See more Teddy B @RT38636458 10/28/2023 A complete and utter surprise of a series that has much more of an enthralling and engaging plot than the idea gives it any right to be. See more Raqib Z @RT18711348 07/19/2023 Amazing show. The suspense, the thrills, loved all of it so much. The way they investigated, interrogated, absolutely wonderful. It sucks that Netflix cancelled the show after 2 seasons. I really wish there were more to this mind-blowing mockumentary. See more London H @Artworks 07/18/2023 Very entertaining you should definitely give this a watch See more S H @RT80113609 07/03/2023 I'm generally not someone who's into juvenile humor, but I was absolutely invested in figuring out who drew those dicks. See more Read all reviews
American Vandal — Season 1

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Cast & Crew

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Tyler Alvarez

Peter Maldonado

Griffin Gluck

Sam Ecklund

Jimmy Tatro

Dylan Maxwell

Camille Hyde

Gabi Granger

Eduardo Franco

Spencer Diaz

Jessica Juarez

Brianna Gagne

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Sep 15, 2017 Hard Facts: Vandalism and Vulgarity After senior class clown Dylan Maxwell gets expelled for vandalism, sophomore Peter Maldonado begins an investigation that questions Dylan's guilt. Details Episode 2 Aired Sep 15, 2017 A Limp Alibi Other students doubt key witness Alex Trimboli's account of the incident. Details Episode 3 Aired Sep 15, 2017 Nailed Peter questions the motives of Ms. Shapiro, the Spanish teacher who testified against Dylan; another teacher makes a surprising accusation. Details Episode 4 Aired Sep 15, 2017 Growing Suspicion Peter takes a close look at the "Morning Show Nine", a group of students, including Peter and Sam, who had access to the missing security footage. Details Episode 5 Aired Sep 15, 2017 Premature Theories After the documentary goes viral, Peter deals with the publicity and goes through a number of fan theories; video evidence provides new clues. Details Episode 6 Aired Sep 15, 2017 Gag Order As Peter and Sam continue to gather information, they go against the school administration and could face consequences; Dylan prepares for his trial. Details Episode 7 Aired Sep 15, 2017 Climax Peter and Sam follow a lead that could reveal the vandal's primary target, and a new theory gives them hope that they may finally solve the case. Details Episode 8 Aired Sep 15, 2017 Clean Up In the documentary's aftermath, Peter is forced to account for his actions; the investigation might not be over. Details

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American Vandal — Season 1

American Vandal Photo Credit: Courtesy Netflix View more photos

Season Info

Executive Producer
Tony Yacenda, Dan Perrault, Dan Lagana, Joe Farrell, Ari Lubet, Josh Lieberman, Michael Rotenberg
Screenwriter
Kevin McManus, Matthew McManus
Network
Netflix
Rating
TV-MA
Genre
Comedy, Crime
Original Language
English
Release Date
Sep 15, 2017