A Satirical Look at Friendship, Fashion, and Status

Read Time:4 Minute, 26 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Victorian Ladies
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Genre: Comedy
Year Released: 2021-2023
Runtime: 9m
Director(s): Becca Schall, Jessica Taylor
Writer(s): Becca Schall, Jessica Taylor
Cast: Becca Schall, Jessica Taylor
Where To Watch: shown at the 2025 Slamdance Film Festival

RAVING REVIEW: Few comedies blend satire with humor as effectively as VICTORIAN LADIES. It’s a series that thrives on contradiction—prim and proper women operating under strict rules while delivering sharp, witty, and sometimes absurd dialogue. With its paper doll aesthetic and improvisational energy, the show feels like a theatrical experiment brought to life, balancing authenticity with comedic sensibilities. The result is refreshingly offbeat, with characters who are exaggerated in every way yet strangely relatable.

Jessica Taylor and Becca Schall bring this concept to life with a passion, which is evident in every aspect of production. Their sketch and improv comedy background serves them well, allowing the show to lean into spontaneous humor while crafting characters with distinct personalities. Instead of aiming for a historically accurate portrayal of the Victorian era, the series takes a more playful approach. It incorporates real-life details that serve the humor rather than confining itself. This allows for a more flexible, freewheeling narrative that prioritizes comedic timing over historical accuracy.

The heart of the series lies in its four leading characters, each bringing their flair to the world of 1890s New York. Abigail, ever the rule-breaker, thrives on finding ways to defy expectations. Caroline, the romantic, is deeply caught up in the drama of her secret relationship but struggles with any form of constructive criticism. Beatrice, the intellectual, observes the world through the lens of poetry and class consciousness, while Daphne, comfortably spoiled, enjoys gossiping and making life easier for herself at the expense of others. These personalities bounce off one another in consistently entertaining ways, creating an ensemble dynamic that keeps the episodes feeling fresh.

While the episodic structure works well for quick comedic snapshots, there’s room for the series to develop longer arcs that allow the characters to grow beyond their archetypes. The format excels at keeping the humor brisk, but a more serialized approach could add more emotion without sacrificing its comedic core. A few running storylines—perhaps a scandal that unfolds over multiple episodes or a courtship gone wrong—could give audiences more reason to invest beyond just the punchlines.

Taylor and Schall’s performances anchor the show, showcasing their chemistry and ability to deliver rapid-fire dialogue. They fully commit to the ridiculousness of the premise, never allowing a joke to feel half-hearted or out of place. One of the series' strongest assets is its dialogue. The conversations are fast, clever, and packed with humor that lands because of the contrast between the characters' refined, antiquated way of speaking and the modern comedy woven into their exchanges. The series has fun exaggerating the heightened drama of even the most mundane problems, whether splitting the bill for a luncheon or the etiquette of letter-writing.

Visually, VICTORIAN LADIES takes a minimalist approach, which is advantageous. The paper dolls are a distinctive stylistic choice, setting them apart from more traditional period comedies. The directorial choices reflect a strong comedic vision, balancing parody with improvisation. The humor is layered, working on both an intellectual and absurd level, making it enjoyable for a wide audience.

Ultimately, VICTORIAN LADIES succeeds because it understands how to make history fun. It doesn’t aim to be a deep dive into the Victorian era; rather, it playfully manipulates historical conventions to highlight the absurdity of rigid social structures. The self-awareness makes it feel fresh as if the characters themselves know they are stuck in an outdated world and are trying to push against it in the only ways they can.

The show is an incredibly clever and unique comedy that delivers on its premise. It could evolve into something even more with a few refinements, cementing itself as a standout piece in period satire. It proves that the best way to reimagine history is sometimes with a sharp tongue and refusing to take anything too seriously. If you enjoyed the TV series ANOTHER PERIOD, you’ll love this! (and vice versa!)

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[photo courtesy of ODD COUNTESS]

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