Adulting Is a Group Project No One Asked For

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TV SERIES REVIEW
platonic – S02
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Genre: Comedy
Year Released: 2025
Runtime: 10 x 30m episodes
Director(s): Nick Stoller
Writer(s): Francesca Delbanco, Nick Stoller
Cast: Rose Byrne, Seth Rogen, Luke Macfarlane, Carla Gallo, Tre Hale, Andrew Lopez, Aidy Bryant, Kyle Mooney, Beck Bennett
Where To Watch: Available August 6, 2025, on Apple TV+ with the first two episodes, followed by one episode weekly until October 1

RAVING REVIEW: PLATONIC returns for a second season with the same irreverence, sharpness, and chaotic chemistry that made its debut such a refreshing entry in the “messy adult comedy” genre. Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne still lead the charge as Will and Sylvia, two longtime friends navigating adulthood from wildly different angles but often colliding in the same emotional struggles.

Co-creators Nick Stoller and Francesca Delbanco once again center the show not on the absurdity of friendship, but its honesty—the parts of platonic love that are rarely shown: resentment, co-dependence, moments of petty jealousy, and the bruises that come from growing at different speeds. Season two leans into those growing pains, placing both characters at personal and professional crossroads. While their bond remains strong, it’s tested in ways that no beer-soaked couch conversation can easily resolve.

The episodes are framed around life’s inevitable curveballs: one character’s career stalling out, another preparing for a wedding that’s more stressful than celebratory, and both of them trying to remain constants for each other in an increasingly unstable world. But “constants” don’t always stay in place—especially when pride, mistakes, and new people start pushing into the frame.

Byrne once again proves herself to be a master of controlled chaos. Sylvia is smart, supportive, and often unknowingly self-centered, and Byrne never plays her like a caricature. She lets the flaws breathe while never losing the character’s grounding in truth. Rogen, on the other hand, finds more depth this season. Will feels less like a man-child and more like someone genuinely trying to change his life pattern. It’s a more vulnerable, nuanced take, and Rogen balances it well without losing the show’s comedic touch.

The supporting cast helps keep things lively. Luke Macfarlane and Carla Gallo both return and bring welcome continuity to their arcs, but it’s the new guest stars that bring a dose of unexpected fun. Aidy Bryant is perfectly cast, bringing biting wit and surprising tenderness. Kyle Mooney and Beck Bennett—both SNL alums—add a slightly surreal edge to the show’s realism, never overstaying their welcome but always elevating the scenes they’re in.

Structurally, the season maintains its 10-episode arc, with the first two dropping on premiere day, followed by weekly releases. This drip-feed structure works well for the series; each episode feels like a catch-up with friends you care about. There’s a loose sense of progression, but PLATONIC thrives in the in-between moments—the beer runs, awkward conversations, late-night realizations, and midday breakdowns.

One of the highlights of season two is how it broadens the canvas. While the first season toyed with romantic tension (while seemingly swearing it off), this season fully commits to exploring what it means when friendships have deeper roots than romantic relationships. It doesn’t need to play the “will-they-won’t-they” game—it’s smarter than that. Instead, it asks whether emotional intimacy without physical romance can be just as dangerous, fulfilling, and confusing.

That said, some elements start to feel a little repetitive. A few episodes in the middle stretch recycle some of the struggles from Season One—a fight followed by a reconciliation, a failed attempt at maturity, and another drinking scene that leads to oversharing. It’s never dull, but those moments occasionally undercut the show’s growth. When PLATONIC hits new territory, it's fantastic; when it coasts, you can feel it. That’s the only struggle in the series so far. Season one was great, and season two is almost right there with it.

Fortunately, the back half of the season finds its footing again, paying off arcs that were built up earlier in the season. The finale especially feels like a culmination—bittersweet, funny, and honest, leaving things open-ended in a way that feels fitting for a series about adults still figuring it out. Honestly, I’m hoping we get a season 3, I think there’s a lot of potential for the story and the characters themselves!

PLATONIC doesn’t reinvent itself in season two, but it doesn’t need to. Its strength lies in consistency. It still feels real, still feels lived-in, and still captures something that most comedies don’t even attempt: the strange intimacy of friendship that grows alongside (and sometimes despite) adulthood.

Rogen and Byrne remain one of the most watchable duos on television. Their chemistry isn’t about perfection—it’s about depth, history, and the mess you’re willing to make for the people who matter most. Even as the characters stumble through relationships and misfires, the show never forgets the emotional stakes of platonic love—and how rare it is to see that love taken seriously. It’s not perfect, but then again, neither are your friends. And that’s kind of the point.

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