Close Menu
NERDBOT
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube
    Subscribe
    NERDBOT
    • News
      • Reviews
    • Movies & TV
    • Comics
    • Gaming
    • Collectibles
    • Science & Tech
    • Culture
    • Nerd Voices
    • About Us
      • Join the Team at Nerdbot
    NERDBOT
    Home»News»Review»Netflix’s “Geek Girl” is a Remarkable Gem [Review]
    Geek Girl. Cr. COURTESY OF NETFLIX © 2024
    Review

    Netflix’s “Geek Girl” is a Remarkable Gem [Review]

    Bill WattersBy Bill WattersJune 5, 20244 Mins Read
    Share
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

    "Geek Girl" is Charming and Intelligent

    70%
    70%
    • Overall
      7
    • User Ratings (1 Votes)
      9.5

    There’s a certain level of irony that there have been any number of films and series that have just been quietly released on Netflix that are among the streamers’ best offerings. “Geek Girl,” a 10-episode series adaptation of Holly Smale”s YA novels, was quietly added on May 30th to nominal fanfare. While I’m a sucker for things like “Next Top Model” (especially the Australian version of the show), and “Project Runway” (at least before Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn left the show), a YA version of a high schooler outsider-turns-fashion industry darling isn’t really something I would click into. I’m glad that I did, because it’s a series that deserves to be seen and talked about.

    “Geek Girl” Netflix

    To be clear, that is pretty much the synopsis of the series – the titular “Geek Girl” is 16-year-old Harriet Manners (played by Emily Carey), who, if you’re thinking she looks familiar, it’s because she plays Lady Alicent Hightower in “House of the Dragon.” Manners is, at first blush, the typical bullied, socially-awkward, few friends, geek schoolgirl trope, who through some gymnastics of happenings winds up being swept into a lightning rise as a high fashion model. What struck me about the writing is that the characters, their motivations, and their lives, feel far more real than they so often wind up being in similar YA wish-fulfillment stories.

    Manners is never presented as being an “ugly duckling.” She actually does have a few friends, the bullies aren’t overboard in their evilness, the general atmosphere around the school and the modeling shoots, and even her home life feels something that the audience can actually connect with. No doubt it’s in no small part due to Smale’s original novel being pseudo-biographical in that she did suddenly become a fashion model at 15 and spent a few years in that world.

    Netflix

    What I appreciated most is that Manners is an imperfect character, and has at least a few -isms that she is struggling with, in particular what feels like a pretty strong social anxiety. Part of the character ark is her connecting with others who recognize her struggles and strive to help her to be able better manage her anxiety over over-stimulation. The series doesn’t fall into the all-too-common pitfalls of characters gaining a realization and “poof,” it’s all better. She’s not the most stunning model ever to have walked, but she does have a look that is special and unique, which is the point of much of the narrative.

    How it plays out, especially in the realm of relationships (familial, friendships, romantic, and professional) when conflict arises, is done in other series and films in ways that often are either skipped altogether or done with such a shorthand that it feels like life rubber-bands on a dime. Here it takes time to rebuild a broken trust, a stepmother comes around and understands when she misjudges a situation. Secondary characters are given scenes that contributes to their groundedness. In one case Manners’ father, Richard – played by Tim Downie), shares a moment in private with Manners’ Agent, Wilbur Evans (Emmanuel Imani) where Evans expresses his concerns about Manners’ well-being, and Richard responds in a way that indicates he’s felt that something more was amiss than just typical teenage-angst.

    Geek Girl. Cr. COURTESY OF NETFLIX © 2024

    It’s that elegance of handling the characters, making them feel genuine, is a testiment to Smale’s writing skills (she served as the shows co-creator and lead writer), and director Declan O’Dwyer‘s ability to not overthink scenes and just let them breathe when needed. For myself, I know many young folks who struggle similarly to Manners, and I think this series will give them hope and pride in their uniqueness – and also that there is no panacea that will suddenly fix all of their problems, however it shows that with support and learning new skills, they can be able to change in positive and healthy ways.

    If you want either a charming light coming-of-age by way of becoming a fashion model darling, or if you or someone you love struggles with anxieties, then you can do far worse than spending a few hours enjoying time in Manners’ world.

    “Geek Girl” is streaming on Netflix, and is rated TV-PG.

    Rating: 7 stars out of 10.

    Do You Want to Know More?

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
    Previous ArticleWho Offers the Best Los Angeles Yacht Rental?
    Next Article Online Gaming: Understanding Odds and Betting Types
    Bill Watters
    • Facebook
    • X (Twitter)

    Bill Watters is a child of the late 70s- he walked into a theater to watch Star Wars, and emerged to become a lifelong fan of cinema and television. Spending nearly a decade as a projectionist, he fell into the Silicon Valley dot-com boom and became a codemonkey for a range of game companies. These days he's a frequent speaker, moderator, and panelist at pop-culture events and conventions, as well as a prolific film and television critic and genre news writer. He is also a member critic of both the San Francisco Film Critics Circle and the Broadcast Film Critics Association. In addition to his writing, he is also a photojournalist and can be found on Getty Images.

    Related Posts

    “28 Years Later” We Live, We Die, Life Goes On [Review]

    June 21, 2025

    Netflix, Legendary Want to Remake “Land of the Lost”

    June 17, 2025

    Official My Little Pony Coffee UNICORN POWERS Will Have You Feeling Magical!

    June 16, 2025

    Halfway Through 2025: These Are The Best Films (So Far)

    June 15, 2025

    “King of the Hill” Revival Gets Father’s Day Clip

    June 15, 2025

    What is BFDI (Battle for Dream Island)? An Interview With My Kid

    June 15, 2025
    • Latest
    • News
    • Movies
    • TV
    • Reviews

    Does a Bend, Oregon Plumber Install Water Heaters?

    June 22, 2025

    Dentists in Encinitas Reveal What Defines the Best Toothbrush

    June 22, 2025

    How Much Do Prefab Wall Panels Cost?

    June 22, 2025

    How Much Does a Boise Car Accident Lawyer Cost?

    June 22, 2025

    “28 Years Later” We Live, We Die, Life Goes On [Review]

    June 21, 2025

    After 50 Years, Dr. Demento is Retiring from Radio

    June 20, 2025

    The Daily Jaws Announces 50th Anniversary Interview Series

    June 20, 2025

    Telegram Founder Pavel Durov Leaving Estate to His 100+ Kids

    June 20, 2025

    “28 Years Later” We Live, We Die, Life Goes On [Review]

    June 21, 2025

    King Charles III, Idris Elba Working on Prince’s Trust Doc for Netflix

    June 21, 2025
    "The Toxic Avenger"

    “Toxic Avenger” Remake Gets Mutated, Uncensored Trailer

    June 21, 2025

    Russell Crowe to Co-Star With Henry Cavill “Highlander”

    June 20, 2025

    Netflix, Legendary Want to Remake “Land of the Lost”

    June 17, 2025

    “King of the Hill” Revival Gets Father’s Day Clip

    June 15, 2025

    What is BFDI (Battle for Dream Island)? An Interview With My Kid

    June 15, 2025

    Temuera Morrison Wants to Play Live-Action Captain Rex

    June 14, 2025

    “28 Years Later” We Live, We Die, Life Goes On [Review]

    June 21, 2025

    Official My Little Pony Coffee UNICORN POWERS Will Have You Feeling Magical!

    June 16, 2025

    Halfway Through 2025: These Are The Best Films (So Far)

    June 15, 2025

    Car Branding Solutions: Do’s & Don’ts to Promote Business

    June 13, 2025
    Check Out Our Latest
      • Product Reviews
      • Reviews
      • SDCC 2021
      • SDCC 2022
    Related Posts

    None found

    NERDBOT
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube
    Nerdbot is owned and operated by Nerds! If you have an idea for a story or a cool project send us a holler on [email protected]

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.