GLOW (2017)

GLOW is a dramedy set in 1985 Los Angeles that follows Ruth Wilder, a struggling actress, as she joins a fledgling women’s wrestling promotion called the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling. The show centers on the clash between Ruth’s earnest, classical approach to performance and the cynical, improvisational director Sam Sylvia, and it’s complicated further when Ruth discovers her former best friend Debbie Eagan — now a retired soap star and the show’s manufactured “rival” — has been cast opposite her. That personal history fuels much of the tension that will make or break the production. Watching GLOW you’ll get a mix of big, theatrical wrestling numbers and intimate backstage moments: colorful 1980s costumes and makeup, choreographed in-ring performances that are equal parts camp and athleticism, gritty rehearsal and training scenes, and sharp ensemble dialogue. The series balances broad comedy — outrageous personas, satirical takes on TV production and ‘80s pop culture — with genuine emotional beats as the women form a makeshift family while fighting for respect and creative control. The show explores themes of female friendship and rivalry, ambition, identity, and empowerment, while also examining the compromises of show business. Performances are character-driven, with strong ensemble chemistry and evolving relationships; you’ll see characters shift from insecure novices to confident performers, often in surprising ways. There’s also a political and social undercurrent about women carving out space in a male-dominated industry. Overall, viewers can expect a stylish, often funny series that’s as much about the spectacle of performance as it is about the personal costs and rewards behind the scenes. If you like character-focused comedies with drama, period detail, and a sporty, theatrical hook, GLOW delivers a mix of heart, humor, and showbiz grit.

Actors: Alison Brie, Marc Maron, Betty Gilpin

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Sport

8.0 /10 8.0 /10