Off Campus and the Female Gaze 

Off Campus is unapologetically women-centered, and it is taking the world by storm.

From millennials who grew up with rom-coms and boy-band fandoms to Gen Zs who are discovering 2000s aesthetics and falling in love with them, Off Campus is a common ground where women can finally indulge in love stories they have long waited to watch.

Female audiences rarely have the chance to indulge in a show that was made by women for women. It is based on a book series written by Elle Kennedy, it has Louisa Levy as the showrunner, and it is a show fully directed by women (Samantha Bailey, Erica Dunton, Silver Tree, and Dawn Wilkinson).

TV has catered to the male public and oversexualized women for far too long. Some were expecting this to be “trashy TV” and reverse this narrative by having more abs than story. However, it did not. Now we finally get to see men who are not only hot, but fully fleshed-out characters. Something that we never got to see for some female characters who were simply eye candy before.

This show brings you yearning, butterflies like having a crush for the first time, friendship, and sensuality. It makes you feel like you’re back in your early 20s, and anything is possible.

Off Campus also really made me question: Why are we so invested in these characters and in the actors playing them? It’s more than just loving the story; it’s watching interviews, reaction videos, girls on the internet talking about what your attachment style is based on who you have a crush on in this show.

The fact that this show became the top of pop culture, with 36 million views in 12 days, is proof not only that people are starved for romantic stories but, most of all, for portrayals of men respecting women.

Let me show you just a couple of examples:

Dean, an archetypical fuckboy, goes against the jock narrative and advises his friend that the best way to make a woman have a great intimate experience is by making her feel completely safe. In a typical bro context, in a gym, surrounded by other men, he talks about consent and trust. So, even a guy who sleeps around is not talking about women as objects or conquests.

Logan, at a house party, sees that Hannah is uncomfortable drinking and suggests a closed can because they’re safer than open drinks. He reads the room and knows that girls are often targets, having a higher chance of someone spiking their drinks.

Garrett, the hockey captain, doesn’t explode when his girlfriend doesn’t reply to his messages in the middle of an important game. He is not aware that she is having a panic attack, and when he sees her, all he wants to do is check if she’s okay. He doesn’t blame her or lash out at her for not responding. He protects her.

Of course, the show does rely on certain cliches and tropes, such as fake dating and the classic love triangle. However, it has a refreshing narrative, and I can’t wait to see where season 2 will take us.