Common Side Effects

Former high school lab partners Marshall and Frances begin to unravel a conspiracy involving big pharma and the federal government to suppress knowledge of a rare mushroom that may hold the key to curing all the world’s diseases.

Common Side Effects (2025-present) is an American adult animated dark comedy series created by Joseph Bennett and Steve Hely for Adult Swim. Former high school lab partners Marshall (voiced by Dave King) and Frances (voiced by Emily Pendergast) reunite as adults and begin pulling at a thread that leads to a rare mushroom said to hold the key to curing the world's diseases. Their goal is simple to state and dangerous to pursue: expose the big pharma and federal government machinery that wants that knowledge buried. What stands in their way is a steady stream of federal agents, most notably Agent Harrington (Martha Kelly) and Agent Copano (Joseph Lee Anderson), along with a DEA agent and a pharmaceutical executive played by Mike Judge. Each episode turns an absurd lead into a chase, a cover-up, or a clumsy escalation, all tracked across a single continuous season of eleven episodes. The tone is earnest and sardonic at once, with bleak corporate satire undercut by irreverent banter and a hopeful core. Its look is brisk and cartoonish, with a sharp satirical edge. Fans of Rick and Morty, Archer and Mr. Robot will find resonance in its paranoid, comic take on power and secrets.

Audience reception is acclaimed, praising the sharp satirical animated comedy-thriller about a pharmaceutical conspiracy.

• Rick and Mortyadult animated satire, dark comedy with government and pharmaceutical conspiracy
• Archeradult animation, workplace-free conspiracy comedy with dry deadpan tone
• Mr. Robotparanoid conspiracy thriller with comedic edge and institutional distrust

Created by

Joseph Bennett, Steve Hely

Release Date

2025-02-02

Episode runtime

23 min

Rating

8.5 / 10 (364)

What is Common Side Effects about?

Two former high school lab partners uncover a government and pharmaceutical cover-up around a mushroom that could cure every disease.

What is Common Side Effects like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Common Side Effects as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.

Is Common Side Effects violent?

Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Common Side Effects as mild.

What did critics think of Common Side Effects?

Audience reception is acclaimed, praising the sharp satirical animated comedy-thriller about a pharmaceutical conspiracy.

Which shows are like Common Side Effects?

Shows with a similar feel include Rick and Morty, Archer, and Mr. Robot.

How long is Common Side Effects?

Common Side Effects: 2 seasons, 11 episodes.

Is Common Side Effects still running?

Yes, Common Side Effects is still running.

Where can I watch Common Side Effects?

In United States, Common Side Effects streams on HBO Max Amazon Channel, YouTube TV, Adult Swim, HBO Max.