Adults (2025) on FX: Relatable Struggles and Laughs in Gen Z Adulthood

When FX debuted its latest comedy series, “Adults,” on May 28, 2025, expectations hovered somewhere between curiosity and skepticism. Gen Z coming-of-age sitcoms walk a tightrope. Too real, and they risk being bleak or heavy-handed; too light, and viewers accuse them of glossing over the struggles defining this era. Creators Ben Kronengold and Rebecca Shaw decided to roll the dice right at the heart of it. They introduced audiences to five twenty-something roommates trying to carve out their adult identities in the less-glamorous corners of Queens, New York.

The Show and the Setup

“Adults” isn’t reinventing TV, but it doesn’t really want to. Instead, it chooses to zoom in. These post-college friends—Samir, Billie, Paul Baker, Issa, and Anton—share a house that belonged to one of their parents. As a setting, it’s modest: a lived-in Queens home, far from Manhattan’s glow. This isn’t “Friends” in shiny apartments or “Girls” in hipster Brooklyn. Instead, there’s a refreshing, deliberate plainness. The show is about economic limitation, not flashy aspiration. That’s not only a choice but a reflection as well.

The series stars Malik Elassal (Samir), Lucy Freyer (Billie), Jack Innanen (Paul Baker), Amita Rao (Issa), and Owen Thiele (Anton). None of the actors are household names—at least not yet—but that factor feeds right into the show’s unpolished, relatable premise. They feel like people you know, rather than sitcom archetypes plucked from central casting. In a competitive year for premieres, FX placed a bet on realism over glitz.

The Critics Respond

As with any show treading familiar ground, “Adults” faced fierce scrutiny in the days after its release. Reviewers raced to compare it to the millennial enclave of “Girls,” the timelessness of “Friends,” and other ensemble comedies. Some cheered its verisimilitude; others groaned about the déjà vu. So what did the critics actually say? More than a few saw both the promise and the pitfalls.

Key Positive Points

Authentic Representation of Gen Z Adulthood:

The show’s single greatest asset, according to several reviewers, is its commitment to authenticity. The friends live with limitations, sharing space in a home whose glory days are gone. The writing does not shy away from the reality that for most in their twenties, adulthood is not a triumphal march. Instead, it’s about scraping by, fighting inertia, and redefining success.

Diverse, Relatable Characters:

Each character brings something distinct to the table, so scenes rarely feel repetitive. Samir’s deer-in-headlights approach to romance, Billie’s grounded loyalty, Paul Baker’s awkward attempts at job hunting, Issa’s dramatic flourishes, and Anton’s acerbic wit keep episodes lively. Reviewers repeatedly cited the chemistry among the actors as a highlight. The series leans heavily on group banter, and it works.

Humor with Self-Awareness:

Fans of meta-jokes and TV in-jokes will find much to love here. “Adults” knows it’s part of a long lineage of ensemble sitcoms, and it refuses to hide this fact. Jokes land because they know the territory is well-trodden. The writers aren’t afraid to poke fun at their own generation, but they also seize every opportunity to weave in biting commentary about the times. That self-deprecating streak has earned a lot of fans among critics who are tired of navel-gazing melodrama.

3 Key Negative Points

Predictable Premise:

Here’s the rub. If you’ve watched more than a handful of ensemble comedies, especially those set in New York, you’ll recognize the blueprints. Friends seeking love, purpose, and rent money in the big city—it’s a formula almost as old as television itself. Some critics have expressed that while the faces are new, much of the setup feels recycled.

No Star Power:

In today’s crowded market, casting matters. “Adults” boasts great performances, but none of these five actors are celebrities yet. Without a known actor or comic to magnetize attention, the series risks blending in. Several reviewers directly questioned whether this ensemble has the draw needed to entice broad audiences. Against FX’s flashier offerings, “Adults” can look like it’s playing on hard mode.

Potential for Cliché:

There’s also a danger in authenticity turning into redundancy. Living at home, underemployment, complicated friendships—it’s territory that, while real, can invite hackneyed plotting. Critics worry that unless “Adults” continues to dig below the surface, it could veer into cliché. Originality isn’t just about the setting; it’s how the characters push beyond predictable beats.

Deep Dive: Strengths and Weaknesses

So, where does “Adults” truly shine, and where does it falter? First off, the show’s location serves more than just a backdrop. This isn’t a love letter to New York’s grandeur. Instead, it animates the anxiety of those who can’t quite afford to leave their starting point—and who now know that starting points may last well into their thirties.

There’s a deep undercurrent of humor running through the script. Jokes come quick and sharp at times, with plenty of self-referential nods to sitcom culture. Billie, for instance, muses in one episode that “adulting” is just “forgetting to pay bills, on purpose,” while Samir defines adulthood as “finally learning the price of a plunger.” These lines don’t just serve as punchlines—they anchor the generational experience, with all its uncertainty and imposter syndrome.

Character interactions also keep things dynamic. The ensemble, despite lacking big names, offers up performances that critics describe as both warm and sharply drawn. From moments of earnest confession to bitter spats about shared groceries, the house pulses with awkward, lovable energy.

However, the flip side of realism can be a drag. Sometimes, scenes linger without payoff; storylines simmer more than they boil. For those expecting the heightened zaniness of earlier sitcoms, the pace might feel subdued. Another sticking point is the sense of “been there, seen that,” especially when the friends wrangle with identity crises or recycle arguments about growing up.

FX’s decision to go with a lesser-known cast lent the show credibility, but it may have limited the immediate intrigue that draws curious viewers. On a release slate packed with genre-bending newcomers and star-driven projects, “Adults” risks being overlooked—despite its solid bones and clever writing.

The Broader Context: Sitcoms in 2025

It’s worth stepping back to examine why a show like “Adults” even exists right now, and how it fits into today’s entertainment universe. Streaming platforms and networks pump out comedies in droves, but that abundance breeds indifference unless something stands apart fast. Shows now must either deliver a giant laugh per minute, mine pathos, or serve some fresh angle to avoid oblivion. Audiences, especially Gen Z and late millennials, crave honesty but have a radar for anything phony or forced.

Ben Kronengold and Rebecca Shaw clearly know their audience. Their show isn’t flashy, but it’s aware. Instead of papering over economic anxiety or masking disappointment, “Adults” pushes it into the light—and mines it for humor. It says, “this, too, is adulthood,” whether that means shared bathrooms, Craigslist jobs, or relationships that drift without combustion.

Viewers’ Take: Is “Adults” Boring?

Now for the burning question: is “Adults” boring? Review after review hammers home one point—your mileage may vary. If your appetite is for sitcoms with huge plot swings, major celebrity cameos, or breakneck pacing, then yes, “Adults” might leave you restless. But for those who get their kick from authentic, understated comedy and ensemble chemistry, the show rarely drags.

And let’s get practical about what boring means here. Moments exist where scenes lag, conversations meander, and resolutions resolve too easily. However, those moments are intentional, a reflection of life more than a stumble in storytelling. There’s dullness by design, as viewers are invited into the slow churn of almost-adulthood among a cast who are not yet where they want to be.

Not every critic is sold. Some wish it roared with more innovation, more star power, maybe just… more. Still, for many—especially those who lived these coming-of-age moments—the show hits an honest stride. For now, it stands as a fair entry in FX’s canon and doesn’t come close to the snooze button.

Key Positive Takes

• Deeply authentic portrayal of Gen Z’s adulthood
• Strong, diverse ensemble cast with real chemistry
• Sharp, self-aware humor takes digs at its own genre

Key Negative Takes

• Predictable premise treads well-worn territory
• Lack of recognizable actors may hinder broader appeal
• Some plots risk slipping into familiar coming-of-age clichés

Verdict: Adults (2025) BRNG?