Swagger (2021–2023) User Reviews

O'Shea Jackson Jr is $$

[RJBrez · 7/10 · 1 November 2021]

My title says it all. O'Shea takes this from a mediocre watch to a fun watch.

Other notes:

-The basketball is believable enough to where it doesn't ruin the show.

-I like the emphasis on social media, and how it drives a lot of decisions today, and how much of a negative impact it can have.

-Because this show revolves around sports, you have to suffer through some typical cliches, like the evil white coach who has a backwards baseball hat on at all times. Or the star player is selfish, makes his teammates mad episode that always occurs.

Overall, cliches aside, I've enjoyed the first 3 episodes and I look forward to more. Apple + is really starting to find its groove with its original content.

Very good show

[futuristicmikec · 8/10 · 29 October 2021]

I love basketball as it is, and I love watching shows about it. This is a really good show so far and I only watched the first episode. I'm about to watch the next 2, but it's worth the watch.

Just a small comment

[mr_thewizard · 7/10 · 28 July 2023]

I really love this show, and how everything is progressing. The story telling is nice, and the idea of it is just good and new for me.

But, and thats where things need to just be said. The story of being muslim, and the conversation in that part is quite poor. The prayer was wrong and the conversation is just what are you even talking about. I think, as a muslim that was a huge slap on my face. The very disrespectful way of just showing how muslims live or pray or talk. The conversation between the father and son in season 2, is just stupid. Any muslim can relate that that part is not real. Well that's my only comment. If you want to show muslims and islam, you need a muslim guy to rewrite the muslim part of a character, at least to show the real part, not being very fake like that.

More real than you might know!

[mcogolfer · 9/10 · 8 November 2021]

I operate in the world of elite grassroots basketball (formerly pure AAU) on both the girls and boys side, and the storylines are VERY accurate. Don't get me wrong, nobody is going to win an award for their acting in this. However, they're very believable, and the basketball is actually watchable. That aside, the way these stories are developing is 100% accurate - unscrupulous coaches who forget the kids they're coaching AND COACHING AGAINST are just kids, the way people don't pay enough attention to girls basketball, parents who have put an "I" in team somehow, and most importantly the reliance on social media for affirmation and it's affect on the psyche of our youth.

The New Friday Night Lights

[Broken_Jarhead · 10/10 · 20 November 2021]

I love this show! I live in B'more and they did a great job capturing the interpersonal drama as well as the struggles.

It's refreshing to see a show mix races and not attack either one. I'm tired of seeing shows push some political agenda, but Swagger tells a story and forces you to connect with the characters.

Good - but Too much Woke don't keep me Awake

[igibuek · 7/10 · 25 November 2021]

This show could be so so good but it centres too much on race and political correctness Show life as it is, not how you think we want to see it.

The main theme of the show gets lost through the arrogance of the hero of the show.......the plot is up and down like a kettle being put on and took off the boil time and time again, as the script writers struggle to amass every issue and cliche like a soap opera that just happens to play basketball

All that said I really do enjoy the show and I feel invested in the shows characters.

this show is really dope

[felixnkubi · 10/10 · 29 October 2021]

Am not a fan of basketball but for this show I am! Episode 1 was a bit shaky for me but the rest just cemented it!

Have been watching a lot of teen shows that came out this year but none has interested me so far but this show hit all the feel good spots, the dialogue are greats, the choice of background music is really good, the family, drama etc! All I think is very well mixed into the show well, it also talks about a lot of issues and I know some people might not like to hear them, but I think it's balanced, everyone whether it be race, religion or whatever woke stuff out there all get their shine! ...it's nice watching a show where someone has a goal he wants to achieve and works hard for it.

Good Show, strange ending

[erwinac · 7/10 · 13 October 2023]

Loved the show through its entirety up until the final episode, how do you end the season losing the national championship ? I just don't understand why not just write in the script for them to win and have a happy and wholesome ending. With that, it could've let up to jace Carson getting drafted and seeing the journeys of where the others on the team went. Just seems like a missed opportunity in my eyes. Other than that the plot kept me intrigued and many different turns allowed the show to not be predictable,( I know, contradicted myself because it would've been predictable for them to win but anyways) which kept me feining for the next episode.

Excellent Series!

[marymacbookpals-2 · 10/10 · 1 November 2021]

Strong series! Great acting with a full and meaningful storyline. There are several mini stories going on at the same time to keep the ball rolling. Can't wait for the next episode.

Great Show

[domenicg-83697 · 10/10 · 2 November 2021]

I don't know why anyone would give this a negative review the show is about basketball. If you like that sport then it's a 10. If your not into that then I suggest you watch something else.

I know this show is going to get better as it's just kicking off and I found myself keeping my eyes on the screen where usually I just have tv on as background noise.

Ridiculously Unrealstic and Bad Script

[asemerikov · 1/10 · 5 October 2023]

I was watching some interesting parts up to episode 8, mainly because im a basketball player and a huge fan of the sport. Stopped immediately after season 1 episode 8. Im sorry but seriously? Trying to let a girl on a team competing for boys nationals? Im all for strong female leads in shows and movies, but this show time and time again sets unrealistic standards that dont happen in real life. Especially the way that it happens. Anybody can shoot... thats fine. But no way a girl of that size (or boy for that matter) can back down a chunky post player like Royale. Its so stupid and cheesy, and its an insult to the game of basketball and the people who actually work so hard to get to that level. Acting like any character they want can just come in and show them up, just because you want more of the audience you're targeting to watch the show. Make up your mind and go in a solid direction, sheesh. Show is just a ball of cliché.

Solid Show, Ready 4 Season 2

[Advocate1 · 10/10 · 5 December 2021]

Great writing, Great Acting, Real life stories. The creative team has done an a amazing job with this show. I've watched all episodes and thought episode 7 was the best, until I saw episode 8. Can't wait to see how it ends.

My family is hooked!

[tinarutar · 10/10 · 21 November 2021]

The series goes far beyond basketball. Interwoven story lines explore the themes facing youth growing up in urban Baltimore - like racial profiling, abuse, poverty. We are enjoying watching this with our tween age kids!

Great Show!

[lamelody · 9/10 · 3 November 2021]

It's is a look into the life of young hoopers on the day to day. The ups, downs, highs and lows of living in the inner city without resources but with talent and a dream. I love the characters and the music is on point! I can't wait to see MORE!!!

Love this series

[silindilemalinga · 10/10 · 13 November 2021]

Great storyline and cast. Praying for the series to experience acceleration growth for future seasons. Keep up the great work. The authenticity in the characters from scipt to body language. Basketball at the center but storyline shows the realities of the in betweens of life.

Such an amazing show

[demarko1405 · 10/10 · 11 December 2023]

I must admit this show absolutely had me in a chokehold from the very beginning. I didn't discover this show until 2023 and I must say I binge watched Season 1 and 2 in less than a week. It was so well scripted. O'Shea Jackson Jr and Isaiah Hill were a match made in heaven. Their on screen relationship as Coach and Player and developing that father like bond is so relatable to many young black men. Shinelle Azoroh was phenomenal as Jenna Carson. Her character was the perfect example of a single black mother fighting and never giving up on making sure her kids succeed. I mean I can literally just give kudos to this whole cast. I love them all they were so amazing. I felt every emotion of this series, the laughs, the cries, the ups and downs. It was a serious emotional rollercoaster. I feel like it's only going to run for 2 seasons. If it ever be a 3rd season I'd be extremely surprised, but I am so thankful for being able to watch this series.

Over the Top, Lacklustre Performances

[edichow · 4/10 · 30 October 2021]

Shot really well like many Apple TV shows, but the script writing is really bad and pretentious.

The performances are really bad too with a disappointing Jackson as the lead

At least the bball sequences are shot pretty well, but other than that wait for the DVD release (j/k)

Very Promising, very engaging

[anneejoseph · 10/10 · 2 December 2021]

In reality I give Swagger an 8.5 but i put 10 to compensate for the haters 😃

Swagger starts off slowly and the acting in the first couple episodes was sometimes a bit shaky but by episode/maze four, the rythm of the show has been on point. The character developmemt , symbolism (loads of symbolism), soundtrack, little moments, big issues, cinematography and acting just keep rising. Fully invested in every single character.

Not for those looking simply for absent minded entertainment. A deep show with fantastic basketball scenes.

A creatives type of show with a strong heartbeat. Looking forward to see where it goes from here.

Having covered so much in season 1 I hope once renewed the groundedness and realistic/age appropriate treatment of the characters remains intact.

Friday Night Lights feel with a lot more swag.

Love this Show!

[marflaker · 10/10 · 15 December 2021]

I stumbled on this show one night looking for something to watch and I am glad that I did. It is one of my favorite shows in a long time. It has great characters and a great story line! It follows the life of up and coming basketball stars and the trials and tribulations of real life. Some may not like the political side, but it looks a lot like what is going on in today's world. It is very relevant to our times and what many kids of color go through on a daily basis. I love the relationships among the players and the coach with his players. I absolutely love the actors; they fill the rolls perfectly.

Feels natural and real

[ichennsun · 9/10 · 26 November 2021]

The biggest strength of the show is how real it feels about a real mid class black family and the schoolmates / community. The look on their face, the talk they have, the cars they drive, the places they visit, the houses they live in are all real for me. I get goose bumps, laughters, and tears watching these things.

Thus watching this show is really an enjoyment for me to get to know this black community that lives next door but rather unfamiliar to me.

Also the music and the basketball playing scenes are good as well. I would say the acting and storyline can definitely improve but it is not what I'm focusing on this show.

#RenewSwagger Season 3

[demetriaabell · 10/10 · 12 August 2023]

Season 2 of Swagger was an amazing ride. The writing and acting was great and the storytelling touched on a lot of important conversations. This show hits every mark. You can tell that all involved are not afraid to bring any topics to the screen. Swagger shows the perspectives of all no matter their race, class or gender. I am very excited to see where Jace will be during his collegiate journey. Also, his matchups with his old high school teammates and what new challenges he will meet head on. Obviously, the Jace and Crystal story is not complete! I need a lot more. I can not wait to see what new stories will be told season 3. Keep this Swagger ride going!!

Great Show + Good Actors

[Prophetik · 9/10 · 18 December 2021]

Reminds me of when i played ball back in AAU and YMCA and got second place the year i played so very nostalgic & realistic but it Has Oshea Jackson JR a great actor, Felicia Pearson who played "Snoop" on the show " The Wire " and also Tristan Wilds who played "Micheal" in the same show too. Overall a good show with a good story. Love the intro song & Can't wait for season 2!

I think this for young adolescent Americans

[evilsync · 1/10 · 1 August 2023]

I persisted - it's over produced, it's extremely cheesy, it's throwing PC in your face (which will age poorly)...

But the worst of it is maybe the display of the culture - I think mostly the sportsmanship.

I suppose it's the difference between Australia and the US... we love an underdog, a loser who works hard and becomes a winner.

I suspect the US worships winners, and this results in the normalisation of 13 year olds showboating against other 13 year olds in a basketball game. I don't find it respectful/tasteful and it's cringey as all hell to watch - and it seems like the US could do with a little of Australia's tall poppy syndrome.

Really good and intelligent show

[markoilicic · 9/10 · 21 June 2022]

Really educational show with a lot of tough situations that kids have to face and how friendships through sports can help them. I wish that all kids have coaches that are invested and supporting.

Just Excellent for Family Viewing

[dneese-70208 · 10/10 · 26 December 2021]

It's a wonderful show that could be watched as a family children as there are so many relevant and teachable moments throughout. I anxiously await Season 2.