At long last, the “Big Mouth” spinoff “Human Resources” arrived on Netflix on March 18. Equally raunchy and expletive-filled as its predecessor, “Human Resources” follows the inner lives of all those “hormone monsters” who pilot their humans through grief, anxiety and love. The show tackles some surprisingly heavy moments while maintaining its usual crudeness, from birth in one episode to death in another. Love it or hate it, the “Big Mouth” universe has now expanded.
The animation is renowned for its hideousness, but after watching it for a while, it becomes less noticeable. Think of “The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance,” also by Netflix, with its grotesque puppets; you were rooting for them by the end. Longtime fans of “Big Mouth” will enjoy the familiarity of the ridiculous proportions, giant heads and all. Arguably, it is necessary to have watched all 5 seasons of “Big Mouth” before proceeding to the spinoff in order for it to make sense.
In October 2019, Netflix ordered a spinoff of “Big Mouth.” Nick Kroll (“Sing 2”), Andrew Goldberg (“Family Guy”), Mark Levin (“Nim’s Island”) and Jennifer Flackett (“Little Manhattan”) have all returned as creators and executive producers. Assumedly, “Human Resources” takes place between season five and what will eventually be season six of “Big Mouth.” Yes, there will be a season 6, Kroll and his team have a contract with Netflix through their new animation company Brutus Pink according to online entertainment news outlet The Wrap.
The cast is star-studded as per usual. Keke Palmer (“Hustlers”) returns as Rochelle the Lovebug, whose transformation from a Hateworm occurred in season five of “Big Mouth.” Joining her is Aidy Bryant (“The Big Sick”), who voices another Lovebug named Emmy. She is saddled with Becca (Ali Wong, “Tuca & Bertie”) as her client after Sonya (Pamela Adlon, “King of the Hill”) is fired from the office. There is nothing disappointing about the cast, especially since Hugh Jackman (“Reminiscence”) is the voice of Dante, an “addiction angel.” Thankfully, no major voice acting changes have occurred, save for Maria Bamford (“Arrested Development”) replacing Jean Smart (“Designing Women”) as the voice of the Depression Kitty. Many additions to the original “Big Mouth” team have been made and viewers will enjoy the widened array of monsters, including the likes of “need demons” and Keith from Grief (Henry Winkler, “Happy Days”).
When the show isn’t being outright ridiculous, it also is funny. There are some lighthearted moments, some life advice and commentary on humanity in general that will make you giggle at least a little. But for every normal moment in the show, there are several dominated by the hormone monsters and their kinky habits. But due to its parent show being so controversially gross in its middle school cast setting, “Human Resources” might be more openly welcomed with its heaps of adult humor because it turns the camera away from our awkwardly budding characters.
It seems that the creators of the show were attempting to demonstrate their strength as writers, balancing sex humor with day to day problems faced by monsters and their respective clients. They succeeded in showing depth next to shallow humor. They did well in adding a healthy dose of cringe-worthy moments, a heap of “no, they wouldn’t” and a scoop of “oh but they did.” If you think something is too gross, think no more, because the “Big Mouth” team will top it in the next episode. Oddly, they were even triumphant in depicting what something like postpartum depression looks like. Nothing is too taboo for them. If you are looking for something to watch, give this one a go, but not with your family.
