Hacks
Hacks is a critically acclaimed dark comedy-drama series that premiered on HBO Max, centering on the professional and personal lives of Deborah Vance, a legendary but aging Las Vegas stand-up comedian, and Ava Daniels, a young, disgraced comedy writer. The show explores the evolving and often contentious mentorship between the two women as they navigate the cutthroat comedy industry, generational differences, and their own complex identities. Known for its sharp writing, strong performances, and exploration of women in comedy, the series targets a mature audience due to its explicit language, sexual content, and mature themes. It is generally not suitable for younger viewers.
Concerns
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
HighHacks prominently features LGBTQ+ representation through multiple main and supporting characters who are explicitly identified as queer. The show intentionally explores their relationships, identities, and experiences, aiming to showcase LGBTQ+ individuals living full, nuanced lives rather than being defined by stereotypes or 'coming-out stories.' This representation is central to the series' narrative and character development, with creators emphasizing inclusive storytelling.
Ava Daniels is a bisexual character whose sexuality is a recurring theme, explored through relationships with both men and women. In Season 2, she engages in a makeout session with a lesbian couple on a cruise (Season 2, Episode 4, 'The Captain's Wife'), and in Season 3, she is depicted in an explicit topless shower scene with her girlfriend, Ruby. Marcus, Deborah's CEO, is gay, and his relationship with Wilson is a central queer storyline in Season 1. Other queer characters include Deborah's personal assistant, Damien. Poppy Liu, who plays Kiki, is queer and non-binary.
Romance and Sexual Content
HighHacks features frequent discussions of sex, relationships, and depicted sexual situations. The content escalates significantly in Season 3, introducing explicit nudity and more graphic sexual scenes. Sexual themes are an integral part of the characters' lives and the comedic landscape of the show.
In Season 3, Episode 2, Ava Daniels is shown topless and having sex in a shower with her girlfriend, Ruby (Lorenza Izzo), in an extended scene. Additionally, Season 3 includes glimpses of topless women backstage at an event and a man's naked backside being clearly seen. The show contains numerous scenes of characters making out, frank discussions about sexual topics, and a sequence in Season 3 featuring groping and intense kissing between Ava and guest star Christina Hendricks' character. Deborah also hits her head on a go-go cage after 'non-consensually' taking poppers in a gay bar in Season 4.
Profanity
HighThe series is characterized by pervasive strong language, reflecting its setting in the adult comedy world. Frequent use of expletives, including the F-word and S-word, is common throughout the dialogue, both in casual conversation and during comedic performances.
Parental guides consistently cite 'raunchy language' and 'pervasive' use of strong expletives, specifically listing the 'f-word and s-word, as well as 'b–ch,' 'h—,' 'a–hole,' 'd–k' and 'p-ss''. Characters, particularly Deborah Vance and Ava Daniels, frequently use strong language as part of their dynamic and comedic routines. The show also includes misuses of God's and Jesus' names.
Substance Use
HighSubstance use, particularly alcohol consumption, is frequently depicted throughout the series. Characters are often shown drinking, and there are explicit instances of intoxication and discussions of drug use, indicating a high prevalence of such content.
Characters are regularly shown consuming alcohol, with instances where they become 'extremely drunk multiple times'. In Season 4, Episode 5, 'Clickable Face,' Ava is shown 'non-consensually' taking poppers in a gay bar, explicitly depicting drug use. Deborah questions her daughter, DJ, about an antibiotics prescription after searching her bag for drugs, suggesting concerns about drug use.
Disrespect & Rebellion
HighDisrespect and rebellious behavior are central to the core dynamic of Hacks, particularly between the two protagonists, Deborah Vance and Ava Daniels. Both characters exhibit strong personalities, frequently challenge authority, and engage in defiant and sarcastic interactions, which often drive the show's comedy and dramatic tension.
Ava Daniels is initially portrayed as an 'entitled 25-year-old' who frequently talks back to Deborah and challenges her methods and authority. Deborah Vance, a veteran comedian, is equally blunt, sarcastic, and often dismissive or demanding of others, including her estranged sister Kathy, whom she deeply upsets by moving their parents' graves without informing her. The mentorship between Deborah and Ava is built on continuous power struggles, sarcasm, and open defiance, with an instance of Deborah slapping Ava and Ava later blackmailing Deborah.
Violence
MediumThe series contains instances of physical violence, threats, and verbal aggression, though it generally avoids graphic depictions of gore. The violence is often implied or serves to highlight intense emotional confrontations and the destructive aspects of character relationships. Emotional and psychological intensity between characters is a more frequent form of 'brutality' in the show.
Deborah Vance has a history of violent actions, including burning her ex-husband's house after he left her for her sister. She also nearly runs Ava off the road in a fit of anger and at one point slaps Ava across the face. In Season 3, an episode involves two characters sustaining injuries during an incident in the woods, though the specifics of the violence are not graphically detailed.
Scary & Intense Content
MediumHacks is not a horror series, but it does contain significant emotional intensity, dark humor, and occasionally perilous situations. The intensity primarily stems from the raw, often brutal interpersonal conflicts and the characters' struggles within the high-stakes comedy industry, rather than traditional scary elements.
The relationship between Deborah and Ava is characterized by 'brutal' and intense verbal and emotional confrontations, where they are often determined to 'destroy one another' professionally and personally. Deborah's past actions, such as burning her ex-husband's house and nearly running Ava off the road, introduce moments of peril and psychological tension. The dark comedy genre itself allows for unsettling themes and scenarios, even without traditional horror elements.
Anti-Christian Themes
MediumThe series includes some irreverence towards Christian themes, primarily through characters joking about religious concepts, misusing religious names, and expressing critical views of religious upbringings. While not a central anti-religious narrative, these elements are present in the dialogue and can be considered disrespectful by some viewers.
A character explicitly attributes her guilt to her 'Catholic upbringing,' which presents a critical perspective on religious influence. The show's dialogue frequently includes 'misuses of God's and Jesus' names'. Additionally, as a show about comedians, it features characters making 'pointedly racist, sexist, and homophobic jokes,' which may also extend to jokes that could be interpreted as sacrilegious or disrespectful to religious sensibilities.
Witchcraft & Occult
LowThere is no significant presence of witchcraft, magic, or occult themes in Hacks. While there might be incidental mentions or metaphorical references, these do not form plot points or thematic concerns within the series.
A passing conversational moment involves a character wondering if a house has ghosts, but this is a brief, non-thematic comment. Season 3 features an episode titled 'Witch of the Week,' which appears to be a comedic or metaphorical reference within the show's context rather than an actual depiction of witchcraft or occult practices.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
TV-MA. The series is recommended for mature audiences aged 17 and older due to pervasive strong language, explicit sexual content including nudity, frequent substance use, and mature thematic elements that include complex and at times brutal emotional dynamics. Younger viewers may find the content and themes inappropriate.
Additional Notes
The content in 'Hacks' intensifies across seasons, particularly with Season 3 introducing more explicit nudity and sexual content. The show often explores complex themes of ambition, loyalty, and intergenerational conflict through a comedic lens, but its mature approach to these subjects means it consistently earns its TV-MA rating.
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