The new Netflix series “Hype House” gives fans and other interested viewers an insight into the lives of a group of influencers… well, at least it attempts to. The reality show falls short in many ways.

The series centers around a group of young TikTokers who each grew their accounts independently. In December 2019, Thomas Petrou, Alex Warren, and Chase Hudson, three popular influencers, founded a collaborative TikTok account called “The Hype House” to aid in continuing to grow each of their followings. The three picked other popular influencers to join the Hype House with the goal of helping them also grow their social media careers. 

In order to gain sympathy, the cast attempts to explain that they deserve to be where they are because they have gone through a lot. The cast members explain they did not have perfect upbringings and I do not disagree with it, but the show could use this to make it more interesting. Instead of saying they have not been handed everything in life and had to work hard, they should open up about their lives before fame. All of the members allude to having a rough upbringing and as someone who does not follow them, it would make me and other outsiders more likely to follow them. It would also make fans know these people better. Instead, the show focuses on drama that seems exaggerated for entertainment. 

This is not surprising for a reality show that includes fighting between the cast members–– it’s what makes people watch. Although I was heavily invested in some of the drama, I could tell rifts between other members were either made up or exaggerated for the series. 

A major storyline is that Hudson decided to stay in Los Angeles while the rest of the house moved an hour outside the city. This has caused a rift between the founders. However, Warren and Petrou understood Hudson stayed in L.A. to grow his music career; it doesn’t make sense that they got upset at him when they acknowledge rifts happen and want their members to be able to move on from the Hype House. 

Warren and his girlfriend Kouvr Annon discuss the difficulties of balancing the line between social media and “real-life” in a relationship. Annon also wants to discuss a timeline for engagement and marriage. Knowing this, Warren still plans a fake wedding for his YouTube channel and the show. This is clearly to cause a fight between the couple, she is visibly upset over it and everyone asks about how she feels, he pretends to not realize how this could cause an issue. This is once again something done to make content for the show. 

Tensions also arise between Petrou and the rest of the house members. The influencers have to post a certain amount of branded content for specific companies in order to pay for the rent of the house and keep the business around (they never explain what the business is exactly other than the house). Petrou feels he is the only one dedicated to making this content and is upset at the others. Although this might be an issue, it seems it could all be easily resolved. If none of them are interested in the TikTok account and posting the branded content, it seems like an easy fix would be to get rid of the house.

I also wish the show would focus more on the behind-the-scenes of being an influencer. Many reality shows can make fake drama, but the difference in this show is that they already have a following and produce content for millions of people. It would be interesting to hear what goes into making a YouTube video or getting people together to choreograph a TikTok dance. Assuming most of the viewers consume digital media, I think they would like this different perspective. 

Despite the show centering around fake drama, there were genuine moments where the cast discussed their past and we could get an insight into the members’ relationships with each other which were my favorite parts and I wished there was more of that. 

For example, Petrou sees his father and discusses how he feels horrible and is sad about the Hype House seemingly coming to an end. While there, he explains the strange relationship he has with his father. I like getting to see this vulnerability and him opening up.

Warren goes to his father’s grave at the end of the series. Home videos taken from his father are shown and Warren talks about how lucky he is to have that. He also shares a little about his rough upbringing after his father’s death when he was 9. Warren and Annon open up in this scene and I would have liked more of this in the show, and not just at the finale.

Overall, I think the show is easy to watch and better than I expected. I liked the drama and do wish more of their backstories were shown, but it still kept me entertained and a good binge-watch. If you enjoy “trash tv,” I think this is a series you would like.