Cliff Notes – Cancel your weekend plans to binge this heartfelt new Netflix series
- Engaging Narrative: “Boots” is based on Greg Cope White’s memoir, depicting a bullied teen’s journey in the 1990s US Marine Corps during the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” era, focusing on themes of friendship and resilience.
- Critical Acclaim: The series has received a 90% score on Rotten Tomatoes, praised for its blend of humour and emotional depth, with critics highlighting its potential for a compelling second season.
- Cultural Impact: Featuring a diverse cast and set to a rendition of George Michael’s “Freedom! ’90,” the show resonates with both audiences and veterans, making it a timely exploration of identity and acceptance.
Cancel your weekend plans to binge this ‘heartfelt’ new Netflix series
This eight-episode series will leave you with a smile on your face. The new Netflix series about a bullied teen finding ‘unexpected brotherhood’ is the perfect antidote to a cloudy autumn weekend.
After just landing on the streaming platform, Boots has already made quite the impact by breaking into the top 10 shows – no doubt aiming even higher as more people tune in.
The eight-episode series is by former US Marine Greg Cope White’s memoir The Pink Marine recounting his time in the US Marine Corps in the 1990s as a closeted teen.
This was during the era of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell – a military policy which dictated gay and lesbian soldiers should not disclose their sexuality publicly.
The Netflix show – created by Andy Parker – follows the directionless Cameron Cope (Miles Heizer) and his best friend Ray McAffey (Liam Oh), who is the son of a decorated Marine ‘as they join a diverse group of recruits.’
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As the synopsis concludes: ‘With sharp wit and plenty of heart, Boots is about friendship, resilience, and finding your place in the world — even when that world seems determined to keep you in line or leave you behind.’
The show is set in the US Marine Corps in the 90s, based on events at how teh US army manipulated young boys to join the army.
In the ethos of the series, the trailer is set to a rendition of George Michael’s Freedom! ’90 sung by the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus, which includes veterans among its members.
The show has already won critics over with a tidy 90% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
‘Boots is an entertaining watch with the potential for an even stronger second season that raises the stakes — even if it’s hard to stomach this endearing platoon heading to war,’ TheWrap wrote.
‘There’s a timely element to this perfectly decent, good-hearted, unsurprisingly sentimental miniseries,’ LA Times echoed.
Variety called it ‘as hilarious as it is devastating’ while Collider called it ‘edgy, funny and fresh’.
It’s a sentiment echoed by fans as well.
‘Boots on Netflix??? I’m OBSESSED. The best show in a while,’ Karolis_G wrote on X.
The show has been hailed by critics and fans alike
‘Love love love this funny, heartfelt, and entertaining coming-of-age series,’ Manny the movie guy echoed.
‘Boots on Netflix is phenomenal. Binged it in one day, and couldn’t stop. Max Parker absolutely *crushed* it as Sullivan and I’d watch an entire season just about his journey,’ LA Trash agreed.
‘I binged the entirety of Boots today on Netflix. Absolutely in love. It’s like Orange is the New Black, but 90’s military. I need season 2 nowwww,’ jasmine_martin9 shared.
Heizer, who you may also recognise from shows like 13 Reasons Why and Parenthood, discussed what it mean to star in a show like this with Teen Vogue.
‘I never dreamt that this military show about a queer kid going into boot camp would be something that was being made and so cared about by big studios, Sony and Netflix, and it was very fun for me to just pull little things from my actual experience being a gay teenager,’ he said.
Boots is available to stream on Netflix now.