User Reviews

I think it does a reasonable exploration of what would happen if a miracle drug really did exist. Animation and voice acting are quite nice but other than that it isn't anything spectacular

ansiose pela proxima temporada aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

I was worried that this was going to a bit of right-wing crunchy aesthetic, but found it very entertaining.

It is a unique show, with highest quality of plot, characters and idea. Much better than Rick and mortyor or any other adult animated series.

Esta serie de animación es la mayor sorpresa que nos hemos llevado en lo que va de año. Una historia que aunque no ha contado con la atención que merece, no será de extrañar que poco a poco escuches más sobre ella. Si ya has visto nuestra nota, sabes la respuesta a la pregunta anterior: sí. Efectos Secundarios es una serie que no sabíamos que necesitábamos y merece muchísimo la pena. A continuación os contamos nuestra opinión. El coste de la curación La serie aborda varios temas interesantes y lanza una dura crítica al sistema de salud estadounidense, un sistema podrido centrado en el lucro y en el que el corporativismo más desmedido intenta monopolizar cualquier tratamiento curativo. Es aquí donde aparece en juego la farmaceútica ficticia Reutical, que hace de antagonista a nuestros dos protagonistas, que aportan un punto de vista más ético y filántropo. La historia aborda una exploración sobre el naturalismo ancestral, las implicaciones médicas y la cultura de bienestar. Mientras nos muestra el drama que afecta a las duras consecuencias de enfermedades degenerativas o dilemas morales sobre la condición humana y el coste de no saber gestionar un poder superior a lo que conocemos. La narrativa de Marshall y el hongo, se parece al mito griego de Prometeo y el fuego prohibido. Lo que parece un bien sagrado, puede desencadenar en un mal mayor y ser un castigo terrible al descubridor que trae ese poder a la humanidad. Otro factor interesante que se aborda son como las relaciones y los vínculos afectivos van a ir desequilibrando la balanza de la historia, durante 10 capítulos vamos a ver cómo los protagonistas sufren, crecen y evolucionan de manera natural. Resultando muy fácil empatizar con unos personajes tan bien escritos y caracterizados, que nada tienen que envidiar a otros productos de ficción con actores reales. Un equipo de altura que sorprende en tono y forma Esta serie nace de la unión de un equipo creativo de primer nivel: Joseph Bennett, Steve Hely o Mike Judge entre otros, son directores, guionistas y productores de capítulos y otras series como Scavengers Reign, The Office, Veep o Beavis & Butthead. Una mezcla explosiva de genios creativos que han dado con una serie adulta y emotiva, que cumple con creces tanto en una elección artística original en diseño de personajes, como en su guion sorprendente. La historia de Efectos Secundarios está llena de sorpresas en todos los sentidos. La corta duración de los capítulos consigue mantener un ritmo apabullante, la animación consigue una calidad estética original que sintoniza con la narrativa. Este thriller está lleno de comedia negra, momentos dramáticos capaces de tocar hasta la fibra más sensible, crítica social y acción a raudales, que acaban intercalándose con bellísimos momentos de calma. En resumen, esta serie es un regalo para los sentidos, un jarro de agua fría que llega en un momento de sobresaturación, donde series de animación (como Rick y Morty por ejemplo) están siendo exprimidas como productos de consumo hasta la saciedad. Donde el consumo de las series apuesta por la cantidad a la calidad y fórmulas preestablecidas, esta serie consigue destacar de forma sobresaliente. Actualmente se ha confirmado que está en marcha su segunda temporada y solo podemos esperar a ver qué rumbo toma esta serie. El Rincón del Espectador

Common Side Effects is an animated series that premiered on Adult Swim on February 2, 2025. Created by Joseph Bennett (Scavenger Reign) and Steve Hely (American Dad, The Office), the show blends grounded realism with fantastical theories, creating a heart-pounding thriller that quickly becomes addictive. The narrative centers on Marshall Cuso, a mycologist who discovers the Blue Angel Mushroom in Peru, a fungus with the potential to cure all illnesses. With help from Frances Applewhite, his former high school lab partner, they face loads of obstacles. The discovery is too revolutionary to be shared with the public, so pharmaceutical corporations and government forces work to suppress the mushroom’s existence. One of the most fascinating aspects of this series is its connection to real-world themes. Set in present-day America, it highlights the dominance of pharmaceutical corporations and the conspiracy theories that surround them — many of which feel disturbingly **** Blue Angel Mushroom appears to be inspired by Psilocybin mushrooms, known for their hallucinogenic effects. In fact, the idea of using them for healing has roots in the practices of María Sabina, a Mexican shaman whose sacred mushroom ceremonies, or veladas, were used to find missing people, important objects, or provide healing.Marshall Cuso also seems to draw inspiration from a real figure: Jacobo Grinberg, a Mexican neurophysiologist and psychologist who studied Mexican shamanism, astrology, and telepathy using scientific methods. Grinberg mysteriously disappeared in December 1994, and one theory claims the CIA was involved, fearing his work posed a threat to the pharmaceutical and medical industries. The series has a distinctive and rough visual style reminiscent of classic underground MTV animations like Beavis and Butthead or The Head. It features exaggerated features and expressive designs. This might be an intentional choice — to contrast the grounded narrative with a raw art style. Personally, I’m not a huge fan of the look, but it does serve its **** the most part, the animation feels low-budget, probably due to financial limitations. However in some action scenes the fluidity and details increase drastically, creating a visceral contrast that increase the tension and drama. This contrast between minimalism and high-quality animation keeps you visually engaged and mirrors the unpredictable nature of the story itself. The protagonists, Marshall and Frances, are portrayed with nuance, revealing their personal struggles and evolution as the story progresses. The supporting cast , particularly DEA agents Copano and Harrington, add both complexity and comic **** series does an excellent job of creating morally complex characters. Each one has understandable motives, making it hard for the viewer to judge their actions. Without over-explaining, the show reveals backstories through subtle details spreaded across episodes , an effective and smart storytelling technique. Common Side Effects is a rare blend of grounded storytelling and surreal presentation. It dives deep into very real common issues, corporate greed, pharmaceutical power, and scientific suppression, made it in a raw, underground animation style. This contrast is what makes the series so good. The rough, unpolished visuals give the impression of something light, but underneath lies a complex, layered narrative that asks big questions.Luckily Adult Swim is working already on the second season. While the exact premiere date hasn’t been announced, it’s anticipated to air around September 2026.

An astounding black comedy and thriller about the dark underbelly of the pharmaceutical industry. Visually and narratively sublime. The season finale is a mind-bending marvel that finally embraces the story's most surreal essence (with scenes reminiscent of 'The Substance,' 'Men,' and 'Interstellar'). The best animated series nowadays.

What a treat of a show. Common Side Effects feels like a great mix of humor, very interesting storyline, and weirdness. On top of that the animation is so unique and well done. Anything Mike Judge has been attached to has been amazing and this is no different.

This is the best show on TV. Excellent on all levels. It is not afraid to get real. At the same time it is 100% entertaining and exciting. Everything Mike Judges touches is gold. This is another example, and maybe the best show he's involved in yet.

Just terrible. Being animated does nothing for the show. Voice acting is tolerable, but everything else is painful to experience. You may as well just listen to a conspiracy theorist's podcast instead because it's about the same thing.

Undeseen, underrated show. Not just one of the best animated shows of the year, but one of. the best, period. The guy rating it 0 because of 'new age' leftism or whatever, is impervious to thinking.

Had to be talked into watching this. Shame on me. It's so smart, so silly, and so right on note

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

It's Scavenger's Reign meets King of The Hill, but somehow way better than that sounds. Martha Kelly is a treat.

Fantastic voice acting, sound design, music and animation style. Story and characters are compelling.

This is super charming. Great story, interesting well rounded characters. Often funny. The animation style is great, it manages to convey very subtle human emotions.

Had to come back and update. This is one of the best animated series I've seen in a while. Up there with Scavenger's Reign. I really hope there are multiple, future seasons in the works.

Still some woke sideshows here and there but improving I guess . Someone at hbo had the cool thought of " hey what if we combine Breaking Bad with Nausicaa Valley of the wind and see what's going on " . Mission accomplished.

Fantastic pacing, style, comedy and suspense, Common side effects has such a feel good quality about it that keeps you hooked. Clearly shows the imagination and style of Scavenger's Reign.

Can't say enough good things about this show. The premise had me hooked within the first 10 minutes. The humor and the subtle 'humanness' of the characters and the voice actors put it in a league of its own. Very interesting show that I can't get enough of.

An absolute breath of fresh air for the animated television world. The animation style and world created is unlike any other.

I've only seen two episodes as of right now, but I'm already more than hooked, been a while I haven't felt that excitement watching a show. This has gigantic potential to be one if not the best show I've ever watched. I have to say thanks to all of the team that is working hard on this.

99% of the time I am totally with the user reviews right here on Metacritic but not this time though, the 2 episodes I've seen felt unique and interesting, the concept of the whole story, the blue musthroom, I dont wanna give any spoilers but people judge for yourself instead of just foillowing the act of others heavily disliking something, the show has some great settings, occassional action and I like the VAs. If you like stuff like Beavis and Butthead, quirky but with a pinch of humor, definitely give it try. 8/10 for the animation, VAs and a unique interesting story (so far) UPDATE: when I wrote the review, the score of the series was around a 5/10.

Incredible! Amazing animation/ artwork, voice acting and the story! Highly recommend