Watch Sweet/Vicious
- TV-14
- 2016
- 1 Season
-
7.8 (2,131)
Sweet/Vicious is a television show that aired on MTV in the years 2016-2017. It is a story of two college girls, Jules and Ophelia, who on the surface appear to be a typical odd couple, but who bond over their shared experience of sexual assault. Jules is a driven, straight-A student and sorority sister who is raped by a member of a prominent fraternity on campus. Ophelia is a reclusive, punk-rock hacker who more or less stumbles into Jules' life, but who quickly sees through her façade of normalcy to the trauma that lies beneath.
The two girls decide to take matters into their own hands and become vigilantes, seeking justice for themselves and other victims of sexual assault on campus. They begin by tracking down and taking down Jules' rapist, but they quickly realize that there are more perpetrators out there, and that the system is not designed to protect victims.
Jules and Ophelia become an unlikely duo, with Jules providing the muscle and Ophelia the brains. They are aided by the fact that Jules' sorority house has a secret room full of weapons, courtesy of one of the sisters' fathers, who is a paranoid survivalist. They also have the support of Kennedy, a fellow sorority sister who is a feminist blogger and ally of the cause, and Harris, Jules' friend from the campus security office who provides them with intel and cover-ups.
One of the strengths of Sweet/Vicious is its ability to balance the dark subject matter with humor and heart. Jules and Ophelia have a great chemistry and rapport, and their banter is often hilarious. At the same time, the show does not shy away from the emotional toll of sexual assault, and it portrays Jules' struggle with PTSD and her own self-doubt with nuance and sensitivity.
Another standout aspect of the show is its complex portrayal of the different characters involved in sexual assault. There are the outright villains, of course, such as Jules' rapist and his enablers, but there are also the well-meaning but clueless frat boys who still perpetuate a toxic culture even if they themselves are not rapists. The show explores the gray areas of consent, and how drinking and hook-up culture can blur the lines even for people who are not predators.
The show also touches on a number of other social issues, such as racism, classism, and LGBTQ+ rights. Ophelia is half-black and half-white, and her father is a wealthy tech entrepreneur who tries to buy her affection, while her mother is an activist who is estranged from the family. Meanwhile, Harris is gay and faces discrimination and harassment from his conservative coworkers.
Overall, Sweet/Vicious is an engaging and thought-provoking show that tackles tough subjects with a deft touch. Its main characters are strong and relatable, and its portrayal of sexual assault and its aftermath is realistic and important. While the show only ran for one season, it has left a lasting impact on its viewers, and its message of empowerment and resilience still resonates today.
Sweet/Vicious is a series that ran for 1 seasons (10 episodes) between November 15, 2016 and on MTV