“American Vandal” follows the fictional student-led investigation regarding a vandalization of 27 teachers’ cars with phallic images, in which senior class clown Dylan Maxwell (Jimmy Tatro) is accused.

Mocking another Netflix original “Making a Murderer”, “American Vandal” succeeds in being a hilarious parody of the increasingly popular true crime television shows. The show’s mockumentary style provides a compelling platform for student detectives Sam Ecklund (Griffin Gluck) and Peter Maldonado (Tyler Alvarez) to uncover the truth about who committed the vandalism.

Those who do not enjoy simple and immature humor will not enjoy “American Vandal,” as it revolves entirely around a crude and graphic practical joke. Though the jokes aren’t complex, they still manage to leave most viewers laughing and entertained.  

However, “American Vandal” manages to go deeper than its crude humor. The eight episode show introduces different aspects of the U.S educational system, bringing to light many problems, such as implicit bias. Dylan Maxwell pleads innocence and blames his school for stereotyping him and wrongfully expelling him, a disappointingly common situation. The overall theme throughout the show is presumptions and stereotypes often leading to injustice, a concept audiences can relate to and understand. All of this adds an intelligent layer to an otherwise juvenile story.

For students seeking out light humor in the midst of this school year, “American Vandal” is the place to turn.

“American Vandal:” 4/5