In the increasingly popular genre of gritty, satirical superhero stories like The Boys and Invincible, one new Prime Video series is being hailed as the most realistic and biting portrayal yet of what life would truly be like if superpowers existed in our world. I’m a Virgo, created by filmmaker Boots Riley (Sorry to Bother You), follows Cootie, a 19-year-old Black teenager in Oakland who just so happens to be 13 feet tall and extremely strong.
While the supernatural abilities of Cootie and other characters like his superspeed girlfriend Flora may seem fantastical on the surface, I’m a Virgo grounds its premise in a reality that many viewers from marginalized communities will find all too familiar. The series doesn’t shy away from depicting the harsh historical mistreatment of people like Cootie who were seen more as scientific curiosities than human beings.
“Audiences learn that there have been many other giants throughout history, especially those who were Black and brown, who were experimented on extensively and killed to have their bodies studied,” describes critic Emily Graves. “This shows a commitment to integrating the story into real, troubling histories that underserved communities have faced.”
I’m a Virgo contrasts Cootie’s struggles with the privileged existence of “The Hero” – a wealthy white businessman who dons a supersuit and dedicates himself to fighting crime, all while profiting from comic books and merchandise. The show posits that having the means to be a vigilante superhero is in itself an act of privilege that most people simply could never afford.
“While The Hero had the freedom to invest in this narcissistic superhero hobby, someone like Flora with real abilities was forced to use her powers for menial labor just to get by,” notes critic Jack Humphries. “The show makes clear that deciding to play hero is a choice only available to the privileged upper classes.”
By rooting the fantastic superhero premise in such well-observed socioeconomic realities, I’m a Virgo becomes a searing critique of the entire genre and its fantasies of all-powerful saviors protecting the status quo. Cootie’s own evolution from a sheltered teen to an activist fighting back against systemic injustice feels truly earned.
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“Cootie’s journey to using his abilities for real change feels so gratifying, as he isn’t inspired by some sage mentor but by human activists fighting for their communities every day,” raves Graves. “His path subverts the typical origins of most superheroes in an empowering way.”
With its outrageous humor, inventive visuals, and an unflinching perspective on harsh sociopolitical realities, I’m a Virgo represents a new bar for how the superhero genre can be employed as potent satire that speaks to contemporary issues. While supernatural powers abound, the series never lets viewers forget they exist in a world deeply rooted in systemic oppression and inequity that no individual could simply punch or laser their way out of.
As Humphries summarizes, “I’m a Virgo uses its superhero elements to spotlight the ridiculous inequities of today in a way no other series has before. And in doing so, it cements itself as one of the most unique and meaningful additions to this genre in years.”
