You Need to Watch Common Side Effects

Leaving the doctor’s office with nothing but a measly inhaler after two months of struggling with bronchitis was beyond frustrating. Waiting for five hours, only to be briefly examined and sent on my way, didn’t exactly inspire confidence in the healthcare system. What made it worse was that my insurance didn’t even cover the cost of the inhaler, and my symptoms didn't start improving until weeks later.

This whole experience left me sad, but after being sad I was angry. Realizing I had no real power to change things, I did what any rational person would do: I watched a show about it. That’s how I ended up discovering Common Side Effects, an animated series that takes a hard and simply terrifying look at the pharmaceutical industry and what happens when an unstoppable cure threatens to bring it all crashing down. My only problem was that it's not yet available to stream in Canada. After scouring Reddit for solutions, I finally found a way to watch all eight episodes—along with a few potential computer viruses. But honestly, it was worth it.

I’d been excited about the release of Common Side Effects for a while, not just because it shares a co-creator with Scavengers Reign, but because of its premise. I’m only going to discuss the first two episodes because I want to avoid spoilers and actually encourage people to watch it. We all know that one person who reads the entire Wikipedia page and claims they’ve seen the show (It’s me. Don’t be like me.) Common Side Effects starts with a simple but wild idea: what if a mushroom that could cure anything existed? Instead of turning this into a goofy, conspiracy-fueled parody like Inside Job, the show plays it straight—asking what would actually happen if such a discovery were made.

Spoiler alert: people would not handle it well.

Big Pharma has a pretty solid business model—keep people sick just long enough to make a profit, but not so sick that they die before they can pay up. So, when a cure-all mushroom threatens to upend this entire system, the powers that be don’t respond with excitement—they respond with panic. Nothing disrupts a multibillion-dollar industry faster than a solution that eliminates the need for it. Then, as expected, the people who stumble upon this discovery quickly become targets. Enter Marshall and Francis, two regular guys who happen to get their hands on the miracle mushroom, then immediately realize they are in serious danger. What follows is a tense, fast-paced, and surprisingly hilarious series of events as they try to figure out what to do next while being hunted by people who really, really don’t want this thing going public.

One of the best things about the show is how well it handles its characters. Everyone has clear motivations, whether they’re trying to destroy, control, or protect the mushroom. It’s basic storytelling done right—you’d be surprised how many shows manage to mess this up. This show also feels like a rarity in the landscape of 2D adult animation in the U.S., which often leans into action sequences or big, brash comedy. Instead, Common Side Effects thrives on the precision of its performances, using subtle body language and expressions to enhance the story. This lends itself to superb dramatics, great silent storytelling, and understated moments of physical comedy. Speaking of comedy, the show has a dry, dark comedic style that perfectly compliments the story. It’s funny without being over-the-top, using its jokes to enhance the world rather than distract from it. The show knows when to be funny, when to be serious, and when to just let the story play out without forcing anything.

Beyond the writing, the animation is striking. It’s not trying to be flashy, but the visual style suits the tone perfectly. Everything looks just a little bit bleak, which makes the absurdity of the situation hit even harder. The voice acting is also top-tier. Every character sounds natural, avoiding the over-explained “as you know” dialogue that plagues so many other shows. Instead of force-feeding you information, Common Side Effects lets things unfold organically, trusting you to keep up. Despite the high-concept premise, the characters talk and act like real people. There’s a scene where they’re discussing student debt, healthcare costs, and family struggles—not in some dramatic monologue, but in the way you’d actually talk about it with a friend. It’s the same kind of grounded realism that made Smiling Friends work so well, but instead of leaning into exaggerated cartoon logic, this show keeps everything just uncomfortably real.

The characters also have lives outside of the main plot. They have families, baggage, and relationships that shape how they respond to the insanity around them. It’s a small thing, but it makes the stakes feel higher. They’re not just reacting to a crazy situation—they have something to lose. I’m a sucker for thrillers, and I find it aggravating when horror or action disguises itself as a thriller just because there are a few tense moments sprinkled in before someone gets punched. Common Side Effects avoids this trap. Stakes, consequences, and actions matter in this universe. There are no goofy cartoon gimmicks to get the characters out of trouble.

The action sequences are solid, the surreal drug-trip visuals are fantastic, and the corporate satire is painfully on point. One of the best moments involves two DEA agents who don’t need a long-winded backstory to establish their bond—you just see them dancing together while one buys a hot dog, and you get it. That’s the kind of efficient storytelling that sets this show apart. More than anything, Common Side Effects understands when to show instead of tell. It never wastes time over-explaining things. Instead, it gives you just enough to keep you hooked, making every scene feel like it’s moving something forward. And the best part? This is just the first two episodes. The rest of the series only builds from here.

If you’re one of those people who constantly complains that “TV just isn’t good anymore,” I have news for you: you’re wrong. But don’t worry, it’s not a permanent ailment—you can cure it by watching Common Side Effects. Seriously, stop putting off good shows just because they don’t have a massive marketing budget. Don’t wait until it’s canceled and then pretend you totally meant to watch it.

Get in on the ground floor while it’s still fresh. Try something new. And if you still can’t bring yourself to watch it, go to your local pharmacist. I hear they’ve got a new drug for that—it’s called Don’t Be Pretentious. Side effects may include increased enjoyment, better taste, and the respect of your peers. Don’t ask your doctor about it.