Watch Girlboss

Netflix's Girlboss is a coming-of-age comedy series that follows the journey of Sophia Amoruso, a rebellious, broke and unapologetically unrefined young woman who discovers and masters the art of selling vintage clothes online. The show is loosely based on the real-life story of Sophia Amoruso, who built a multi-million dollar fashion empire from scratch and authored the New York Times bestseller, #Girlboss.

The show begins in San Francisco in 2006, with the 23-year-old Sophia (Britt Robertson) scrambling to make ends meet by selling vintage clothes on eBay. She is more concerned with living life on her own terms than dealing with being broke and jobless, but her world changes when she comes across a North Face jacket in a thrift store, buys it for $9, resells it for over $600 on eBay, and realizes that she has a natural knack for spotting valuable vintage items that people would pay top dollar for. Sophia quickly transforms her eBay business into an online vintage fashion empire called Nasty Gal, which is inspired by the music of Betty Davis.

Running a business is not easy, especially when you are young and inexperienced, and Girlboss doesn't shy away from presenting Sophia's challenges and flaws. Sophia is driven but impulsive, often making emotional decisions and neglecting basic business practices. She butts heads with rivals and business partners, doesn't keep accurate records or pay taxes, and often makes rash decisions that land her in trouble. Her relationships with her friends and family are also strained, as she prioritizes her business over everything else.

Of course, Sophia doesn't navigate this world alone. She is aided by her best friend Annie (Ellie Reed), a bubbly and optimistic aspiring musician who is always there to support Sophia and pull her back to reality. She also meets and hires Shane (Johnny Simmons), a nerdy and socially awkward programmer, who proves to be an indispensable part of her business. Along the way, Sophia learns valuable lessons about how to build a brand and manage a business, but also about herself and what it takes to be successful in life.

One of the strongest aspects of Girlboss is its cast, particularly Britt Robertson's performance as Sophia. She captures Sophia's edgy, devil-may-care attitude while also conveying her vulnerability and insecurity. There is a relatability to Sophia's struggles and triumphs that makes the character and the show stand out. Ellie Reed is delightful as Annie, who serves as the show's moral center and has her own ambitions and conflicts. Johnny Simmons is endearing as Shane, who provides both comic relief and tech skills that Sophia needs. Other notable performances include Alphonso McAuley as Dax, a fellow vintage sellers and rival, and RuPaul Charles as Lionel, Sophia's wise and flamboyant neighbor.

Girlboss features a soundtrack that is as cool and eclectic as the fashion it portrays, with a mix of indie rock, soul, and funk that embraces the show's 70s rock aesthetic. The costume design and production values are also top-notch, capturing the colorful and sexy style of Nasty Gal's clothing and its streetwise attitude. The show's visual style is edgy and colorful, with a mix of handheld camera work, split screens, and creative transitions that reflect Sophia's rebellious spirit.

The show's writing, however, is hit or miss. It balances humor, drama, and entrepreneurship in a way that can be engaging and hilarious but also frustratingly uneven. Some episodes delve into Sophia's backstory and relationships, while others focus solely on her business dealings, sometimes to the point of feeling repetitive. The show's pacing and tone can also be erratic, with episodes that drag or feel rushed, and occasional tonal shifts that feel forced or jarring.

Despite its flaws, Girlboss offers an energetic and inspiring portrait of a young woman who refuses to conform to society's expectations and takes control of her own destiny. It celebrates the power of individuality and creativity, and the value of hard work and persistence in achieving success. It is a show that will resonate with anyone who has ever felt lost or uncertain about their future, and who can relate to the struggle of trying to make something out of nothing.

Girlboss is a series that ran for 1 seasons (13 episodes) between April 21, 2017 and on Netflix