Common Side Effects Season 1 Review: ‘Breaking Bad’ Meets ‘Pantheon’ In This Bold and Captivating Story

It doesn’t take any time to notice how messed up the world is right now. In a society where corporations are taking center stage and the working man is being cut out, many are looking to find a show that can connect with them. Fortunately, Common Side Effects does just that.

The new series comes from Scavengers Reign‘s Joseph Bennett and Steve Hely, who bring something that’s genuinely refreshing. Whereas other adult conspiracy thrillers and workplace comedies seem to regurgitate the same story beats, Common Side Effects has a uniqueness that makes it compelling.

Of course, it might have a familiar premise: a researcher discovers a life-changing thing that causes a huge cat-and-mouse chase.

However, through its ever-changing, subtle character dynamics, a lively blend of vocal performances and animation, and some fun comedic tidbits, Common Side Effects is the perfect animated thriller series.

Off the bat, Common Side Effects might try to throw you off with its off-beat humor in its opening scene. While it may be an awkward moment that’s supposed to be played off for laughs, it does help establish who these characters might be.

The word “might” is to suggest that these characters aren’t constrained to one general personality trait.

From the opening confrontation between Marshall (the hunted) and CEO Rick, they initially act like they’re stereotypically good and bad respectively. However, that changes when Marshall meets his old high school lab partner, Frances.

This is where the dynamic intrigue comes in, as Frances decides to keep her occupation a secret from Marshall as they catch up. It’s made out to be an empathetic moment that establishes the show’s story, but there’s this tension in Marshall’s explanation that plays off that comedic awkwardness nicely.

In addition, this scene also lays the groundwork for how trippy it can get visually. Given how Green Street Pictures, the team behind Scavengers Reign, provided the animation, these sequences really pop out in eye-catching ways.

Throughout Common Side Effects, Marshall and Frances’ relationship gradually shifts in a way that feels troubling, yet genuine. Marshall’s the only one whose motivations are made clear: he wants the best for everyone by making this medicine free. However, Frances remains conflicted on whether to support Marshall fully or look out for herself and her career.

This is because Frances is struggling to financially support the care for her mother, who has dementia, as well as her own distant marriage. Not only does this truly give Frances the depth she needs for viewers to resonate with her, but also fleshes her arc in a realistic, yet emotional, way.

This conflict of morality takes shape through every characters’ motivations. From DEA agents Copano and Harrington to the radical mycologist and Marshall’s former mentor Hildy to shady Washington players Jonas and Cecily, every characters’ needs and desires are naturally developed.

Take agents Copano and Harrington for example, who are initially tasked with keeping an eye on Marshall. While they have the same duties and responsibilities, their contradicting personalities make both of them stand out respectively.

Copano’s more goofy while Harrington is the rational one of the two. However, as Common Side Effects‘ narrative moves forward, they completely transform from being kooky DEA agents to actually being nuanced by the midseason.

The show allows ample time for us to really understand where each character is coming from through these multiple perspectives. Despite every episode’s runtime being under 30 minutes, every second is used wisely as each decision every character makes never feels like they’re wasting energy.

Similarly to Pantheon, Common Side Effects seeks to question what it means for us to be human instead of conforming to a system. Yet, it adapts this Breaking Bad-esque tone that highlights how not everything’s black and white.

Most of the main characters in Common Side Effects are driven by one simple mission: use Marshall’s discovery for the betterment of society. However, their actions to get there really speak louder than words and it’s through this idea that makes Common Side Effects memorable.

Particularly, Marshall’s mentor, Hildy, wants to be like Marshall in serving the good of all, but she’s in too much of a rush (and a troubling mental state) to get things done. There is an innate goodness in her heart, but the way she goes about it, particularly on later episodes of Common Side Effects, makes her motives questionable.

Oppositely, Frances’ boss, Rick, initially acts like the stereotypical CEO character before Frances presents her plans and stands up to Rick. Sure, he wants to be economically successful and have major stakes in the game of healthcare. However, his relationship with Frances slowly unravels this more friendlier side to him.

However, while some of these characters go through little, yet needed changes, there’s one character whose arc turns upside-down. Despite what you may think of Jonas right now, he experiences something devastating that flips his entire personality in a way that actually makes sense for his arc.

This elaborate exploration of morality and politics is further emphasized in the sharp, yet relaxed, dialogue in some scenes. Particularly, when Frances ultimately gets her way, there are a few conversations that accentuate how in tune Common Side Effects is with the psychology of greed. We can look out for ourselves, but is it worth it in losing the trust of others?

This morally gray area, through both dialogue and animation, is where Common Side Effects feels the most grounded. Every performance has this authenticity that makes you feel sympathetic about Marshall, Frances, and everyone else.

Plus, the fluid, if somewhat caricatured, aesthetic helps emphasize every character’s personality while retaining that sense of realism. In some of the hallucinogenic sequences, it may be a little bit confusing to understand on the first few episodes.

However, as more of these appear, they start to make more sense as these symbolic representations mesh with the reality of this world. I mean, who wouldn’t want to see some these cute little white blob-men also help guide you to where you want to go?

Daring and captivating, Common Side Effects is a fantastic and beautiful story that questions morality, politics, and humanity in ways that really understands our social and economic landscape.

Adult Swim’s newest series manages to combine elements from Pantheon and Breaking Bad to answer one of the most intriguing, and prescient, debates of our time: what should healthcare really be? From magnetic, empathetic characters to that brooding music to the exquisite visuals, this series proves its potential as one of the best adult animated series of all time.

Though a second season is yet to be determined, one thing’s for sure: Common Side Effects absolutely deserves it to finish the story.

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New episodes of Common Side Effects release every Sunday on Adult Swim.

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