One of the many new Netflix originals that came to audiences in early 2018 was “On My Block,” released on Mar. 16. “On My Block” is a coming of age story about four close friends starting high school in an inner-city in Los Angeles. The show begins with the four friends; Monse (Sierra Capri), Ruby (Jason Genao), Jamal (Brett Gray), and Cesar (Diego Tinoco), as they head in the summer before high school. Not only does “On My Block” accurately convey the fear and excitement that many have before starting high school, but it also touches on social issues surrounding the inner-city and beyond.

Each episode of the 11-episode season is filled with interesting and descriptive plot lines that allow the audience to gain knowledge on characters while still being able to follow along. What sets “On My Block” apart from other Netflix originals comes from the level of acting each cast member brings to the show. No matter the situation in the show, each actor is able to give the audience a convincing performance.

Along with other episodes, the fourth episode of the season “Chapter Four” highlights what life can encounter for many young people in 2018. The episode follows the four friends and Ruby’s family friend’s daughter Olivia (Ronni Hawk) as they make their way around town on Halloween night. Eventually, a part of the group finds their way to a party in Brentwood, CA, while the rest of the group goes trick-or-treating. At the party, Olivia ends up in an argument with the host over how she is acting as a guest, and the host eventually brings up Olivia’s life as a minority. The writers of “On My Block” use this encounter to not only build Olivia’s character,but also to touch on the commonality of stereotypes.

Rating:

With creative writing, broad humor, and a wide variety of characters, “On My Block” is on the right path to becoming a fan favorite from audiences of all ages.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

4 out of 5 stars.