Rachel Sennott is taking aim at Los Angeles’ influencer culture in her new HBO series, “I Love LA,” which premieres Sunday. The half-hour comedy lampoons zillennial life on the West Coast, where designer bags are status symbols and TikTok posts can make or break careers.
Sennott, 30, known for films like “Shiva Baby” and “Bottoms,” created and stars in the series, which exaggerates the quirks of a certain subset of young Angelenos. While many in Los Angeles endure long commutes and standard office jobs, Sennott focuses on the social-media-savvy crowd who obsess over trends, microcelebrity status, and cosmetic procedures.
The story follows Maia (Sennott), an aspiring talent manager frustrated by her boss Alyssa (Leighton Meester), whose condescending attitude blocks her career growth. Maia vents to her supportive boyfriend Dylan (Josh Hutcherson), but her ambitions are reignited when influencer rival Tallulah (Odessa A’zion) enters the scene. Maia takes on managing Tallulah’s career, hoping for her breakthrough moment.
The series escalates with absurd adventures, including parties at Elijah Wood’s house and schemes to secure invitations to elite fashion events. One scene sees Maia accidentally stabbing her foot in her obsessive pursuit of social validation. Supporting characters include stylist Charlie (Jordan Firstman) and nepo-baby Alani (True Whitaker), adding to the chaotic depiction of Los Angeles’ young elite.
At times, the exaggerated behaviors of the characters—overused slang, stretched syllables, and petty rivalries—can be off-putting. The title nods to Randy Newman’s 1983 song “I Love L.A.” and references a viral Sennott clip that cemented her microcelebrity status in 2019.
The show is aimed at viewers familiar with social-media culture and its absurdities. Fans of Prime Video’s “Overcompensating” or FX’s “Adults” may recognize the style: irreverent, fast-paced, and self-aware humor targeting the younger generation. Sennott draws comparisons to Lena Dunham’s “Girls,” which satirized New York millennials with sharp wit and exaggerated personal drama.
Visually, episodes directed by Lorene Scafaria (“Hustlers”) are dynamic and stylish, complementing the fast-moving comedy. Guest appearances, including Sennott’s “Bottoms” co-star Ayo Edebiri, add flair and energy to the ensemble. Despite some uneven jokes, the characters are vividly drawn, and Sennott’s performance anchors the series with absurd yet relatable comedic timing.
While “I Love LA” may not appeal to all viewers, it succeeds in portraying a slice of Los Angeles culture driven by social media, ambition, and status. Sennott’s comedic voice stands out, offering both satire and homage to her generation’s hustle. The eight-episode season explores influencer-driven ambition but stops short of deep commentary, leaving the show as an entertaining, if not fully substantial, comedy.
“I Love LA” premieres Sunday on HBO and HBO Max, with new episodes released weekly.
