What It Feels Like for a Girl

Be aware , Review has no spoilers but does point out errors

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Brilliantly written, thrilling and yet well-grounded. Showcasing the reality of a low-income upbringing in the Midlands with all the drama that comes with new experiences and relationships. It's painfully relatable whilst still leaving you on the edge of your seat. Uncomfortable at times but never enough to make you want to skip ahead, everything adds to the story in one way or another, never a second of waffle. Byron's character development is excellent and gripping, every small smirk, the long stares see his limits pushed that little bit further and opens the gates for more of these experiences that little bit more, especially with his homelife troubles giving a supporting arm to explain why he puts himself out there so boldly. The narration by Ellis Howard in the same vernacular, adding to the grit of the setting, ramps up the tension.

Small side note, I don't think it being the year 2000 is at all relevant to the story. The only signs you see of it being early noughties are that people use old phones, and some of the cars are old models, but it doesn't make much difference. I'm not detracting from the rating, as because it's mostly an irrelevant factor, it's still an excellent show, however it just sets the show up for mistakes and minus points, because theres also an occasional continuity error when you can see a brand new Stagecoach bus in the background at the bus station.

"What It Feels Like For A Girl" is the rare kind of TV series that seduces you slowly, then grabs you by the throat. Set at the turn of the millennium-when Y2K panic loomed large, the AIDS crisis lingered like smoke, and analog queer culture was on the verge of being swallowed whole by the digital age-this show is raw, dangerous, and electrifyingly intimate.

At the heart of the story is Byron, a beguiling character who embodies the beauty and brutality of the era. Byron isn't just a protagonist-he's a symbol of everything queer youth was navigating at the time: homophobia, poverty, and an aching, desperate need to be seen. His connection with Liam, a magnetic hustler surviving on petty crimes and half-truths, is the emotional (and erotic) core of the series. Their relationship is both transactional and tragic, smoldering with longing, lust, and unspoken truths.

Stylistically, the series draws clear inspiration from Gregg Araki's Doom Generation and The Living End-with its gritty, neon-soaked atmosphere and rebellious queer edge. It flirts with danger at every turn, refusing to sanitize the eroticism, thrill, or pain of queer existence in pre-social media times. Cruising culture, clubbing, and the art of wordless seduction pulse throughout, giving the show a visceral, nostalgic charge.

The writing is sharp, the soundtrack is a time capsule of late-'90s melancholy and defiance, and the performances-especially from the leads-are captivating. It's messy. It's sexy. It's heart-wrenching. And most of all, it's real.

For anyone who lived through that era-or wants to understand it-What It Feels Like For A Girl isn't just must-watch TV. It's a cultural reckoning.

Imagine if Euphoria and Gregg Araki had a lovechild raised on zines, raves, and queer rage-this is it.

I thought this was an absolutely fascinating adaptation of Paris growing up and hugely inspiring even at my age. I know there were rough times but if I had seen this 30 years ago I would have started transitioning 30 years ago. Loved it and hope there will be a sequel at least up until the magical day where she's gets the body she was meant to be in.

This series is fantastic. Every minute of it is enjoyable. And it gets even better.

It's sexy, though I would say it's a bit controversial considering the lead is only 15. The fact that it even got made is pretty amazing considering.

For me, it's a full 10 out of 10. I can't imagine how it could get any better. But as I'm writing this during episode 3, I may just be in for some surprises. Though I don't think there's a chance that I will be disappointed.

The music is wonderful, the cinematography fantastic. It's a feast for your eyes and for your ears. I hope there will be a second season, but as it clearly has a very specific audience, I don't know if it could have the kind of broad appeal that would be required.

I loved it so much, it shows how hard it was for lgbtq+ people in the 2000s. The acting was also my biggest amazement from this show, the actors need a good applause for the amazing work in this series. In my modest opinion, this is a must watch for people. I'm literaly gonna tell everyone that sees this that if you haven't watched it, you should. Plus charecter development was so good for a short series like this, I'm very surprised that they pulled it off very well. In conclusion, this is a work of art, that really deserves lots of attention, and I recommend it to everyone cause it's queer and proud. Luv yall.