A 13-foot-tall teenager and the surreal satire of a superhero

Entertainment · Published 20 October 2026 · Updated 20 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In the surreal landscape of Boots Riley's I'm a Virgo, a sheltered boy grows to a towering 13 feet tall. This American comedy miniseries blends practical effects with political satire, exploring a world where super-speed fry cooks and psychic theater collide in a visually imaginative parable.

Boots Riley, the creator and director of I'm a Virgo, began writing the series in 2019. The project eventually became a co-production between Media Res and Amazon Studios, starring Jharrel Jerome as Cootie. Living in Oakland, California, with his aunt Lafrancine and uncle Martisse, the secluded Cootie reached a height of 13 feet by age 19. The narrative follows the disruption of his secluded life when a group of teenage political activists discovers his existence.

The series is noted for its distinct aesthetic and technical execution. While outdoor scenes were filmed in Oakland, the majority of the main production occurred within New Orleans, Louisiana. To achieve its unique look, the production utilized practical effects, including puppets and miniatures. The soundtrack features music by Riley's group The Coup, while the score was provided by Tune-Yards. The show also features a fictional internal program called Parking Tickets, which includes voice work from notable figures like Slavoj Žižek and Danny Glover.

Despite its critical success—earning a 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and 'universal acclaim' on Metacritic—the series faced significant production hurdles. Riley revealed in May 2026 that budget issues forced the team to cut 40% of the original script, including a penultimate episode, just two weeks before production began. Consequently, there are no plans for a second season. The show remains a notable example of Riley's 'towering imagination,' praised by critics for being both ambitious and precisely focused.

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