For fans of television shows featuring deeply flawed yet captivating characters, the Australian comedy series Why Are You Like This, streaming on Netflix, is a must-watch. Initially, there might be hesitation – a show about young people navigating the complexities of modern life with a blend of social awareness and personal blind spots could easily become cringeworthy. However, Why Are You Like This quickly proves to be a binge-worthy gem, offering sharp humor and relatable scenarios. At the heart of this chaotic brilliance is Mia, portrayed by the talented Olivia Junkeer, who embodies the show’s spirit with her unapologetically messy and hilariously flawed personality.
Why Are You Like This introduces us to three twenty-somethings in Melbourne: Penny (Naomi Higgins), Mia (Olivia Junkeer), and Austin (Wil King). This trio is acutely aware of contemporary social issues, from LGBTQ+ rights and mental health to workplace sexism and climate change. They navigate these topics with a strong sense of social literacy, at least within their own progressive bubble. However, their understanding often lacks real-world experience and broader perspectives, leading to situations that are both comical and insightful. Penny, working in a tech company dominated by men, and Austin, an aspiring drag queen, share an enviable house, raising questions about Melbourne’s real estate market and their financial arrangements. Mia, on the other hand, describes herself as frequently unemployed, confidently identifies as bisexual, and strongly connects with her Muslim heritage while selectively disregarding certain religious practices.
While discussions around Why Are You Like This often highlight its portrayal of internet culture and social media’s influence, the show’s appeal is far more universal. It taps into the cynicism and moral high ground often associated with youth, but it resonates across generations. To label these characters as simply “the worst” would be a drastic oversimplification. They are individuals who often strive to do the right thing but stumble due to their limited perspectives and incomplete understanding of situations. This nuance is what makes them relatable and, ultimately, likable. The creators, Mark Samual Bonanno, Naomi Higgins, and Humyara Mahbub, draw from personal experiences, lending authenticity to the characters’ missteps and enhancing the show’s comedic charm.
Mia in a scene from “Why Are You Like This,” humorously insists she is the only woman of color in the office, despite evidence to the contrary, showcasing the show’s comedic and pointed social commentary.
In the very first episode, Mia’s character is immediately established as a force of nature. When her boss attempts to dismiss her for lack of productivity, Mia counters with accusations of “imposing white normative regulations” to erase her culture, simply for expecting her to wear shoes at work. When challenged about her excessive and non-religious break schedule by her boss citing another Muslim colleague, Fatima, Mia’s response is to declare, “it’s very sad to hear Fatima is a worse Muslim than me. I will pray for Fatima.” Further highlighting her self-centeredness, Mia silences another woman’s phone, triggering her anxiety, inadvertently causing the woman to miss a critical call about her father’s death. Despite the unfolding chaos, Mia remains undeterred, continuing her barrage of accusations, claiming to be the only woman of color in the office, even when the background visibly suggests otherwise. It’s only when the mention of a severance package arises that Mia’s demeanor shifts entirely. While her behavior in this instance is undeniably outrageous, it’s also undeniably funny, and Olivia Junkeer’s portrayal ensures that Mia remains somehow endearing, even as we recognize the absurdity of her actions. The show cleverly uses Mia to explore real workplace issues through a lens of exaggerated comedic situations. Her intentions are not malicious; she’s simply so absorbed in her own perspective that empathy often takes a backseat.
Later episodes reveal even more of Mia’s outlandishness. She becomes convinced she can artificially inseminate cows after watching YouTube tutorials, a plotline that is as bizarre as it is hilarious within the show’s context. Meanwhile, Penny, in her well-intentioned yet often misguided activism, misinterprets a male colleague’s lack of enthusiasm for her elaborate “Day of Queer and Trans Visibility” plans as homophobia. Without solid evidence, Penny launches a campaign of public shaming, only to discover that the colleague is, in fact, gay and out, but simply not interested in grand celebratory gestures. If these scenarios seem exaggerated, it’s important to note the show’s self-awareness and willingness to satirize even its own characters’ zealousness.
Penny’s “hierarchy of voice” chart, featured in “Why Are You Like This,” satirically depicts the complexities and potential pitfalls of well-intentioned but overly simplistic approaches to social justice in workplace dynamics.
In a particularly memorable episode, Penny conducts technology training for a company and becomes indignant when she discovers that the more tech-savvy women are relegated to lower-paying office roles due to their boss’s casual sexism and racism. Penny impulsively encourages them to revolt, failing to consider the potential repercussions, which ultimately leads to their collective dismissal.
A scene from “Why Are You Like This” showcases Penny in a corporate setting, highlighting the show’s comedic take on workplace dynamics and generational differences in technology adoption.
Simultaneously, Mia faces a personal crisis when her menstrual cup becomes lodged in her “very tall vagina,” as she describes it. She seeks Austin’s help to remove it, a day after lecturing Penny about the environmental hazards of tampons. Austin, less than enthusiastic, suggests a visit to a “womany doctor,” to which Mia retorts that a traditional doctor would likely dismiss her concerns, referencing past negative experiences with medical professionals, including one who disbelieved her contraceptive implant loss until she “literally had a heart attack.” The show adeptly uses humor to address serious issues like systemic medical bias, particularly against women and people of color.
Olivia Junkeer as Mia in “Why Are You Like This,” humorously explaining her predicament to Austin, blending physical comedy with relatable anxieties.
Austin’s reaction in “Why Are You Like This” to Mia’s menstrual cup mishap, capturing the show’s blend of awkward humor and frank discussions about bodily functions.
This scenario escalates into a comical debate between Mia and Austin about who faces greater oppression – Mia with her stuck menstrual cup or Austin, desiring intimacy with his houseguest. If humor can be found in such situations, Why Are You Like This is definitely the show to watch. The series progresses to explore Mia’s decision to “decolonize her vagina” as a form of activism, bathroom confrontations between “brown girls” and “drunk white girls” in nightclubs, cancel culture debates, Ramadan kindness (or lack thereof), accidental sexual exploitation of a cosplay teenager, a drag performance centered on poverty, confrontations with patriarchal norms, and a poignant exploration of depression.
Wil King as Austin in “Why Are You Like This,” in a drag costume, highlighting the show’s exploration of identity, performance, and the intersection of personal and social issues.
Ultimately, a key strength of Why Are You Like This lies in the dynamic between Austin, Mia, and Penny. They accept, appreciate, and even celebrate each other’s imperfections. The show acknowledges that everyone is flawed, makes mistakes, and often creates more problems when trying to fix things. It navigates complex themes like sexuality, sexism, and patriarchy with a light touch, recognizing that these issues aren’t easily resolved with simplistic solutions. Instead, the humor arises from watching these characters try, fail, and ultimately rely on their friendship. Why Are You Like This, featuring Olivia Junkeer as the unforgettable Mia, is a show that deserves attention, offering a blend of humor, social commentary, and characters who are sometimes awful, sometimes kind, and almost always funny. For those looking for a series that is both hilarious and thought-provoking, Why Are You Like This is highly recommended.
Overall Rating on the Chronically Streaming Pain Scale:
1-Comfortable: Maybe there are some annoying twinges here and there, but overall the good outweighs the bad.
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