Based on 2 seasons, 22 episodes · through October 11, 2019
Insatiable is a dark comedy television series about Patty, a teenager who was bullied for her weight. After losing weight, she enters beauty pageants to get revenge on her bullies. The show features prominent identity-driven themes, including main characters who explore their gay and bisexual sexualities. It also includes a polyamorous relationship, a lesbian love story, and heavy satirical mockery of Christian pageants and traditional family life.
Why 99%? See the score breakdownBreakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for Insatiable.
Woke representation / casting
The show features prominent, explicit LGBTQ+ casting and representation. This includes a bisexual male lead, his gay romantic partner/rival, a prominent lesbian best friend who gets a girlfriend, and a transgender guest character. There is also a diverse, identity-focused supporting cast including prominent BIPOC actors in key, competent roles like Magnolia Barnard. Due to the extensive, central queer representation, this factor receives a very high score.
80%
Woke political dialogue
The dialogue regularly incorporates progressive ideas around gender identity, sexual freedom, and coming out. Characters frequently discuss labels, bisexuality, and polyamory in explicit detail. The scripts also feature modern activist-style discussions about female empowerment, body image, and the social pressures of societal beauty standards.
Production
65%
Identity-driven story themes
Identity, sexuality, and body-image struggles drive the entire narrative. Central storylines revolve around closeted characters discovering they are gay or bisexual, pursuing a polyamorous "throuple" relationship, coming out as lesbian, and exploring body-acceptance. The show prioritizes queer and sexual-identity exploration as a primary engine for character development.
85%
Western institutional / cultural critique
The series features aggressive, satirical takedowns of traditional Western cultural and religious institutions. It heavily parodies and ridicules evangelical Christianity, most notably in the "Miss Magic Jesus" episode which features highly sexualized songs mocking faith, baptism, and the Holy Spirit. Traditional family models are also consistently undermined, portraying them as toxic, dysfunctional, or obsolete in favor of progressive dynamics.
82%
Woke character or canon changes
Not relevant.
0%
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
While mainstream media focused on left-wing anger over fat-shaming, conservative and Christian groups launched a substantial backlash against the show. They strongly condemned it for mocking Christian beliefs, sexualizing religious themes (especially in the "Miss Magic Jesus" episode), and promoting polyamorous and queer relationships as positive alternatives to traditional families.
75%
Creator track record context
Key creative leaders have a documented history of progressive activism. Creator Lauren Gussis (60) is heavily committed to identity-driven and LGBTQ+ representation, while director Elodie Keene (75) is a pioneer in progressive television. Writer David Monahan (70) and casting directors Russell Boast (85) and Rob Decina (50) are also prominent advocates for queer visibility and industry DEI initiatives.
55%
