Love, Victor
hulu
Love, Simon took audiences by storm, touting itself as one of the first major teen movies to feature an LGBTQ+ relationship at the centre. After initial controversy over the distribution of the series, viewers can go back to the Love, Simon universe with the spinoff series Love, Victor. Following a young kid named Victor Salazar (Michael Cimino) who transfers to Creekwood High from Texas and starts to explore his sexuality, the series attempts to capture the charm of the feature film to mixed results.
Love, Victor immediately sets itself up as a deeper and more grounded look at the LGBTQ+ youth experience than its film counterpart which often took on a cliched storybook feeling. Victor seeks out the advice of Simon (Nick Robinson) via his Instagram DMs, hoping for direction in his complex situation. Not only does Victor come from a family who has had trouble embracing the LGBTQ+ community in the past, but Victor himself is not even sure of how he feels, resulting in him forming a relationship with a girl named Mia (Rachel Hilson). At first it seems concerning that the show openly claims to tackle these issues as they really don't come to into play until the second half which greatly picks up in comparison to the first. When the show actually takes the time to explore Victor's home life, it is haunting to see how accurately microaggressions are portrayed, particularly ones which often make it difficult for LGBTQ+ youth to come out even if the family is not openly anti-LGBTQ+. As Victor starts to question his sexuality, wondering if he can simply pass as a straight person or at least wait until college, the viewer experiences yet another accurate representation of LGBTQ+ youth experiences which gives the show heart and connection.
One of the biggest controversies surrounding the show, as mentioned, was Disney's handling of the distribution it. Love, Victor was originally announced as a Disney+ exclusive only to then be pushed to Hulu which typically handles more mature content that wouldn't be suitable for children to watch. Many criticised Disney, claiming this move would censor LGBTQ+ romances, something they are quick to tout progressiveness in. without putting in an actual effort to display these individuals on a larger platform, and after seeing Love, Victor this is the only reasonable explanation. Despite what this movie might suggest, Love, Victor, before anything else, is a teen show. The characters and drama are clearly meant to be over the top and engaging to younger audiences. At no point does the show tackle anything adult-oriented that wouldn't be appropriate for younger viewers to see; the most adult storyline centres around a side plot about a potential affair. For everything the show does right with showcasing the LGBTQ+ experience, it is ashame that Disney wouldn't show the product on a platform like Disney+ where it would be much more accessible to teens and young people who will benefit the most from the series.
This being said, Love, Victor is far from a perfect show. Not only does the drama in the first half feel dull and uninspired, but the comedy throughout is questionable. Love, Victor is a show that uses teen comedy tropes such as the high-pitched nerd character of Felix (Anthony Turpe) and plays them continually as if they are comedic gold, something that older audiences may disagree with. The jokes themselves are confusing. The show is clearly aimed at kids yet includes jokes which mock younger people; for example, the students are seen ranking 47 Meters Down as the superior shark film over Jaws. Obscure references are also thrown in, including the mention of the crime-drama series, Rizzoli & Isles which would fly over the heads of the vast majority of a young audience. While it is acceptable for a show to include jokes which appeal to a range of age demographics, , the comedy in Love, Victor feels more confused about its audience than anything else.
Even if Love, Victor is not the most captivating viewing experience of the year, it is clear that the series had good intentions in mind. Love, Victoris an important series for families to watch, showcasing a unique yet relevant perspective and truth. For those hoping to have a better understanding of the LGBTQ+ youth experience, Love, Victor is definitely worth the time needed to check out the 10-episode series and will lead to important conversations from youth and adults alike.
