Ronit J

Adults (2025) Synopsis:

A twenty-something ensemble comedy centering on codependent housemates navigating adulthood together despite their flaws.

Adults (2025) Review:

Like I mentioned before, my reason to dive into Adults (2025) was Friends. I also grew up watching Friends in my formative years. But, my latest binge of the show in 2023-2024 had a disappointing outcome. While Friends has tons of iconic moments, I couldn’t look past the many toxic, problematic—and era appropriate—elements of sexism, homophobia, and more.

Contrasting that, Adults is very much a modern show. For starters, the cast itself is diverse. Issa (Amita) is a POC immigrant. Her boyfriend, Paul Baker (Jack Innanen) is a gender-fluid Canadian immigrant. Anton (Owen Thiele) is a homosexual POC. And Samir (Malik Elassal) is—going by the name—a muslim man who lives in his parent’s house. Billie Schaeffer (Lucy Freyer) is the only white member of the group, but that gets balanced out by the fact that she’s a female.

This inclusive and diverse cast might feel token, but it’s far from it. Their individual identities aren’t the major focus for plot points and conflicts. Rather, their identities are just what they are—their identities. This is the kind of normalisation we need in modern content. Brooklyn Nine-Nine did a great job with representation, and I believe Adults is further along that path.

Relentlessly Hilarious, Warm, And Empathetic

I didn’t have enough time to pause and reflect over this show in the first 4-5 episodes. Mostly because I was desperately trying to catch my breath after a bout of gut-tingling laughter. Be it Issa’s overly unapologetic narcissism, or Billlie’s composed Gen Z trying to figure it all out in the real world, Adults feels real in the current zeitgeist. The show drops us in the middle of this group’s lives as they navigate their mid-twenties. As one would expect in today’s abysmal housing market, the group stays at Samir’s parents house rent-free. Anton (Owen Thiele) is the only member who seems to have a stable job. Well, so does Billie, but she gets fired right in the beginning of the season.

As hilarious as all their antics are throughout the season, it’s their warmth and sense of belonging that made me keep watching. They aren’t like the friends from Friends, who’re often very selfish at the expense of each other. Instead, the group in Adults genuinely feels like an empathetic found family. Through out the season, they continue to acknowledge and support each-other’s needs without once compromising on their own.

Adults navigates this fine line beautifully, commenting on the housing crisis, healthcare, and more through the eyes of these Gen Z characters. Not once does Adults feel like a mockery of anything except the fragile system that’s making life tough for everyone. The fact that every single cast member has realised their respective character with care and excellence only elevates the overall experience of this show.

Strong first half, declining second half

Episodes 1-5 were fantastic. From Kyle’s ‘When Boomers Touch Zoomers’ SA scandal, to Anton’s being friends with the Bayside Stabber, almost every episode had golden quotable moments and memorable scenes that have the potential to be iconic memes. But, it’s Episode 6 where I felt like the writers ran out of meat. Ironic, because that’s the Dinner Party episode, where the group invites Billlie’s boyfriend, Mr Teacher/Andrew (Charlie Cox) and Paul Baker’s friend Jules, who ends up being Julia Fox!

Episodes 6-8 weren’t bad. But, they did feel a little too ridiculous. Mr Teacher’s breakdown was a little too over-the-top, which I didn’t quite enjoy. Issa’s protest against her dance school’s rejection of her kids’ production, ‘Popcorn Forest’, too was a little too stupid. That happens simultaneously with Anton & Paul Baker’s babysitting a teenager who’s in the city for legal abortion, which could have been a great plotline, except it just didn’t land like I thought it would.

If the showrunners had skipped Episodes 6-7, and jumped straight to the finale, which also I have mixed feelings about, I’d have rated this show higher. Regardless, I’ll say that Adults was one of the funniest shows I’ve watched all year, and would strongly recommend it to anyone who loves the episodic sit-com format of Friends.

Adults (2025) Ending Explained

In the last episode, the group finally decides to open their overflowing mailbox. Paul Baker finds out that his visa is expiring. In a spontaneous moment, Issa proposes to Paul Baker so he can he can stay in the United States. But, as they reach the courthouse in full wedding attire, Issa gets cold feet. In the end, Issa confesses to already being married (and divorced as of earlier that day). Each of the friends offers to marry Paul Baker. The choice is Paul Baker’s.

Afterwards, the group is sitting in their house, when Issa—still in her bridal dress—teases Paul Baker that he should sit next to his new spouse. Paul Baker shyly gets up and slowly walks over to sit beside Anton. Upon Issa’s insistence, the newlywed couple have their first kiss, which ends up being more passionate than one would expect of a visa-marriage couple’s kiss.

The last shot is Issa with her jaw dropped, having realised that Anton and Paul Baker might have feelings for each other.

Now, I don’t think that Adults will proceed in the same manner that shows from yesteryear did. I don’t believe that Issa is going to have a hissyfit (at least not a big one). Hopefully, the show will deal with this love triangle with a modern outlook. Not in the stereotypically toxic manner like old romcoms.

Adults (2025) Worth Watching?

Yes. This genuinely does feel like a modern spiritual successor to Friends. I don’t know whether the show will continue to deliver hilarious capers or will dip in quality like almost every recent new show. I will, however, argue that the first season is worth watching to get an idea of Gen Z culture and spirit.

Props to the makers and writers of the series for keeping it so real and fresh. I just wanted to add a side note here: all of my favourite episodes from Adults were directed by Anu Valia, who’s also directed some other brilliant shows like The After Party, Shrinking, and The Man On The Inside. I guess I have a new addition to my list of favourite TV directors.

Will There Be Adults Season 2?

Probably. They haven’t yet announced a season 2, but if they do, I’d be happy to revisit these quirky characters and their antics.

In Conclusion:

Adults (2025) was a hilarious weekend binge. While I did feel like the comedy and writing did dip in the second half, I came to care for the characters enough to be up to date with their misadventures.

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• Island of the Dying Goddess

What did you think of Adults (2025)? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time.