Embrace the Anxiety of Big Mistakes

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The film Big Mistakes starts with a loud and emotional scene: Laurie Metcalf plays Linda, a woman struggling to deal with her mother’s impending death. While their grandmother (Nonna) is on her deathbed, Linda’s children, Nicky and Morgan, watch as she frantically tries to manage the situation, obsessing over details like birthday presents and immediate needs. Her other daughter, Natalie, tries to appear helpful by mentioning a gift she brought back from Italy. Soon, Linda demands that Nicky and Morgan rush out to buy Nonna a necklace for what they all believe will be her last birthday.

Like much of the show Big Mistakes, this scene is fast-paced and chaotic, with quick cuts and characters often talking over each other. Created by John Levy and Rachel Sennott, the series centers on a small, bad decision that quickly spirals out of control. The main character, Morgan, struggles with emotional detachment and substance use, and often blurs the line between funny and upsetting situations. When she impulsively shoplifts a necklace, she and her friend Nicky find themselves caught up in a ridiculous chain of crimes, lies, and shocking discoveries that only escalate from there. The result is a remarkably tense comedy, similar in tone to Sennott’s previous show I Love LA, or fitting into the current trend of darkly funny, high-stress shows like Barry, The Bear, and Beef.

Shows like Beef and Barry use comedy to lighten the mood during intense, disturbing storylines, but the humor often highlights just how grim things are. What sets Big Mistakes apart is its clear connection to creator Levy’s earlier, more heartwarming work, Schitt’s Creek. While the two siblings at the center of the show, Nicky and Morgan, are constantly arguing, their underlying love and desire for self-understanding – a core theme of Schitt’s Creek – prevents the series from becoming overwhelmingly bleak. Big Mistakes shares the intense, sometimes violent world of shows like Barry and the suffocating family pressures and ticking clock of The Bear, but its comedy comes from the way these dramatic events constantly interrupt the characters’ everyday squabbles. They’ll get around to dealing with the felony, but first, can they just finish complaining about their sister?

Like the characters in Schitt’s Creek, Nicky and Morgan find their family frustrating, but they believe everyone else is even more irritating. Despite constant bickering and eye-rolling, their clear affection for each other makes even dangerous situations in Big Mistakes feel almost playful rather than truly disastrous. Even when they’re terrified – like during a kidnapping – they’re also using the opportunity to air old grievances, much to the annoyance of their captors. Nicky’s eye-rolls at Morgan’s drug use aren’t about the dangers of drugs; they’re a sign of a deep, complex relationship where they know each other intimately and still care despite their frustrations. Morgan is drawn to the excitement and chaos of the drug world they find themselves in, while Nicky just wants to escape it all. He’s also hiding both a romantic relationship and his sexuality, and trying to avoid his mother’s disapproval. Amidst the criminal activity, both characters are forced to confront themselves. Morgan playfully complains to Nicky, “You’re just a good person – it’s so annoying!” – all while they’re trapped on a yacht with someone who likely intends to kill them.

Jenna Ortega and Elizabeth Metcalf are the highlights of the show. Metcalf plays Linda as someone who says whatever comes to mind, unfiltered. She bluntly tells her daughter about a recent encounter, saying, “I had a felon inside me.” Ortega, meanwhile, delivers a performance reminiscent of Rachel Sennott, but arguably even better, especially when portraying sadness or distress. Only Nicky and Morgan truly understand how odd Linda is and how irritating their sister Natalie has become. They also see beyond each other’s flaws – Nicky recognizes the good in Morgan, and Morgan sees the unhappiness hidden beneath Nicky’s strange choice to become a priest. This is a weak point in the show’s character development, as Nicky’s decision to join the priesthood feels unmotivated and doesn’t quite fit his personality. Michael Levy’s performance shines when interacting with Ortega; her ability to find genuine emotion in her over-the-top character helps balance Levy’s reactions and overall frustration.

Despite the serious problems the characters face, Big Mistakes always feels safe and lighthearted. Nicky and Morgan are struggling, but you know things will likely work out for them, which prevents the show from feeling too heavy. Linda’s disastrous mayoral campaign is driven by her own unhappiness, Morgan’s bad relationship is a constant burden, and Nicky’s struggle to be open about his identity is deeply personal – all of these storylines feel genuine and reminiscent of Schitt’s Creek, rather than the darker tone of Barry. Even when things are scary for Nicky and Morgan, the over-the-top criminal elements are so ridiculous that Big Mistakes remains a thoroughly enjoyable show.

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2026-04-10 17:54