Common Side Effects premieres February 2 at 11:30pm on Adult Swim.
Adult Swim’s Common Side Effects is a show brimming with ambition, blending dark satire, conspiracy thriller elements, and surreal animation into a uniquely odd concoction. The series is the brainchild of Joseph Bennett (Scavengers Reign) and Steve Hely (30 Rock), with industry heavyweights Mike Judge and Greg Daniels serving as executive producers. Despite its inventive premise and bold ideas, the series struggles to fully deliver on its potential.
The plot revolves around Marshall (voiced by Dave King) and Frances (Emily Pendergast), two former high school lab partners who accidentally discover a miraculous mushroom capable of curing almost any illness. While this should be cause for celebration, it instead thrusts them into a dangerous game of cat and mouse with big pharmaceutical companies, shadowy government agents, and cutthroat international players determined to suppress their discovery. It’s an intriguing concept, and the show’s sharp critique of the pharmaceutical industry gives it some teeth.
The voice cast performs admirably, with King and Pendergast giving Marshall and Frances a likable, everyman quality that grounds the show amidst its absurdity. Judge brings his signature wit as Rick Kruger, a hapless yet menacing pharmaceutical CEO, while Martha Kelly and Joseph Lee Anderson shine as a pair of offbeat DEA agents. The performances are strong across the board, though they’re sometimes undercut by uneven writing that leans too heavily on exposition or over-explains the stakes.
Visually, Common Side Effects is as surreal as you’d expect from Adult Swim. The animation style, reminiscent of Bennett’s Scavengers Reign, gives the show a trippy, otherworldly aesthetic that fits its bizarre narrative. That said, the visuals occasionally overshadow the story, with certain scenes feeling more like an exercise in style than substance.
While the series has moments of brilliance, it also struggles with pacing and tone. The narrative bounces between satire, thriller, and outright absurdity, which can feel jarring rather than cohesive. Some episodes have a clear focus and strong momentum, while others meander, bogged down by an overstuffed script or underwhelming humor. The show’s critique of corporate greed and government corruption is timely and provocative, but it doesn’t always land as effectively as it could.
Ultimately, Common Side Effects is an ambitious, if inconsistent, addition to Adult Swim’s lineup. Its unique premise and sharp social commentary make it worth a watch, especially for fans of surreal animated fare. However, its uneven execution keeps it from reaching the heights of its influences. While it’s a solid effort, the show doesn’t quite live up to its potential.
I give Common Side Effects a B.
TV and City 