He Had It Coming Review: Messy Crime-Comedy Lacks Subtlety

The Australian crime-comedy "He Had It Coming" delivers sporadic moments of sharp humor, but its overall tone is inconsistent, oscillating between blackly comic murder-mystery and a critique of campus politics and artistic ambition. The series, which aired on BBC Three and is available on iPlayer in the UK and Stan in Australia, centers on Elise (Lydia West), an aspiring artist struggling with her academic performance and the perceived limitations imposed by male authority figures. Elise's artistic output, described as daubing clothes onto impressionist nudes as a protest against the patriarchy, fails to impress her tutor, Professor Phoenix (Harry Greenwood). Professor Phoenix critiques her work for a lack of ambition and urges her to be more radical, a sentiment Elise later echoes in her frustrations with her male peers.

Elise's struggles are mirrored by her friend Barbara (Natasha Liu Bordizzo), a fashion influencer facing slut-shaming from campus jocks. This shared sense of grievance leads the two characters to engage in vandalism, specifically targeting a statue of the university's male namesake with a mallet. This act of defiance marks a turning point in the narrative, propelling the characters into a crime-comedy plotline that the review suggests is handled with a lack of subtlety. The series attempts to address significant themes, including feminism, artistic integrity, and campus culture, but the review indicates that it struggles to fully commit to its political or social commentary, often appearing hesitant to delve deeply into its own subject matter.

The review highlights the unevenness of the show's comedic elements, noting that while certain scenes are genuinely funny, the overall tonal shifts detract from the viewing experience. The characters' motivations and the progression of the plot are sometimes obscured by the show's erratic pacing and its tendency to introduce complex issues without fully exploring them. The characters' artistic and political statements, while present, are often presented in a way that feels superficial, failing to resonate with the depth that the subject matter might warrant. The narrative's reliance on broad strokes and a lack of nuanced development contributes to the perception of a "messy" crime-comedy that, despite its intentions, misses opportunities for more profound engagement with its audience.

Ultimately, "He Had It Coming" is characterized by its ambitious yet underdeveloped approach to its themes. The series showcases moments of potential, particularly in its comedic writing and the performances of its lead actors, but its inability to maintain a consistent tone or to fully flesh out its narrative arcs leaves it feeling like a missed opportunity. The review suggests that the show's exploration of its central conflicts, from artistic validation to social critique, lacks the precision and impact needed to leave a lasting impression, resulting in a viewing experience that is more frustrating than fulfilling.