[SXSW Review] ‘I’M A VIRGO’ – Boots Riley’s Prime Video series is a wonderfully weird, imaginative firecracker

Preston Barta // Features Editor

I’M A VIRGO

Rated TV-14, about 30 min. per episode (of seven).
Showrunner: Boots Riley and Tze Chun
Director: Boots Riley
Cast: Jharrel Jerome, Olivia Washington, Brett Gray, Kara Young, Allius Barnes, Carmen Ejogo and Mike Epps

Walking into a Boots Riley project is a bit like stepping onto that wacky Willy Wonka boat that travels through the most interesting images we’ve ever seen. He’s an artist who feels the world so deeply, and he packages all his thoughts, comments and interpretations of existing into unique cinematic pieces of media. 

Riley’s excellent 2018 surrealist comedy Sorry to Bother You examined the big-money puppeteers pulling the strings of culture and turning people into corporate animals, among many things. His latest, I’m a Virgo, an upcoming seven-episode Prime Video series, continues to flex his strengths through a mythical coming-of-age odyssey.

I’m a Virgo premiered its first four episodes at the South by Southwest Film & TV Festival on Mar. 11. The first half of its first season offers plenty of material to excite the viewer and send their mind running with endless possibilities. It centers on 19-year-old Cootie (When They See Us and Moonlight’s Jharrel Jermone), a 13-foot-tall young man in Oakland, CA. He’s shielded away in the cramped spaces of his parent’s (Carmen Ejogo and Mike Epps) house and passes the time living somewhat like Mr. Glass in Unbreakable. He gets his culture, romantic inspirations and language from the comic books, dictionaries and television he consumes. 

When Cootie isn’t expanding his knowledge, he’s lifting cars to stay fit and eavesdrop on his neighbors to feel present in a world he doesn’t know. That’s until destiny calls on the other side of the fence to experience the real world’s beauty and contradictions. Cootie, also known locally as the “Twamp Monster,” forms a strong friendship with a trio of equally as fascinating characters (Brett Gray, Kara Young and Allius Barnes) and is on the path to love with cute burger girl Flora (a terrific Olivia Washington). 

All seems well and chill, but it’s clear bigger things are on the horizon – especially with the much-teased about entrepreneur and philanthropist Jay Whittle (Walton Goggins), an Iron Man/RoboCop character. Should we expect Jay’s plot to unleash a level of silly that could detract from the interest already here? Knowing Riley’s approach, I don’t suspect so. We can’t expect every character to be level-headed when you have a 13-foot-tall giant walking around Oakland. Plus, this side of the story provides curious samples of history involving giants, and where it all seemingly is heading should be thrilling.

What really makes Riley’s series pop is his fearlessness as an artist. He makes the weird and uncomfortable feel oddly comfortable. Take, for instance, a scene with Cootie and Flora eating. Riley tightens the camera on their mouths and their yummy noises. Yet, even such sights and sounds have a rhythm to them that’s compelling. 

Of course, there’s great humor, too. Cootie’s friends each get several moments to tickle you with their language and actions. Gray’s fun character, Felix, introduces Cootie to subwoofers, and it produces great laughs. The same could be said of Epps’s quick comedic jabs as Cootie’s father. One joke about couch pennies should have you in stitches.

These first four episodes lay down a super promising foundation. It’s wildly imaginative (the title cards alone are worthy of seeing, like episode three), and the characters are a joy to be around. That fish-out-of-water aspect is here, and the poetic narrative beats and needle drops (Bakar!) are a blast.

Prime yourself for what is sure to be summer’s best series. I’m a Virgo is damn-good!

Grade: A

Note: Look out for SXSW red carpet interviews on here soon!

I’m a Virgo held its world premiere at the South by Southwest Film & TV Festival on Mar. 11, where it screened the first four episodes of its seven-episode first season. The series will be available for streaming on Prime Video in summer 2023. Watch the official teaser below!