In the opening scene of Netflix’s On My Block, viewers see what can only be described as a stereotypical teenage party scene. You have hordes of teenagers clumped together against the walls and an assortment of questionable drinks. There are plastic cups scattered on the floor and music pumping in the background. This stereotypical opening is the beginning of a very un-stereotypical show.

On My Block is the story of a group of incoming high schoolers living in a predominantly Hispanic and African American community. The ensemble of teenagers navigates the challenges of growing up while dealing with the violence and secrets that pester their block.

The major conflict of the show begins when Cesar Diaz (Diego Tinoco) is initiated into his brother’s gang, the Santos. The dangerous situation arouses the rest of the friend group, Monse (Sierra Capri), Ruby (Jason Genao) and Jamal (Brett Gray) to take action – moving from one failed plan to the next.

Aside from the central issue of the gang, quite a few humorous subplots are woven in throughout the story. Jamal’s tendency to find himself at the butt of the joke had me laughing out loud multiple times and Ruby’s obsession with girls was always something to chuckle at. In fact, On My Block focuses on the – often amusing – stumbling and tripping of simply growing up.

While mostly identifying as a coming-of-age comedy, On My Block does tackle a variety of serious topics. Generally speaking, approaching the show looking for endless fits of laughter isn’t a great idea, as the show does portray incidences of gun violence, death and racism.

Speaking on the matter, many were confused by the parallel of hilarious comedy and outright violence within the show. However, while the jokes running alongside the violence felt somewhat unnatural, I felt as if these issues were properly handled and presented to viewers in a realistic light.

In fact, many viewers praised the representation that the show displayed as its main cast features people of color. Along with that, audience members were glad to see an underrepresented lifestyle featured on screen.

For lovers of shows like Euphoria or Riverdale, On My Block may not be the best choice for you. The show features a comedic coming-of-age and while there is violence, it has to do more with the community they have grown accustomed to, not extreme high school dramatics filmed for viewer entertainment – although, of course, many of those events can and do happen in real life. On My Block features a more genuine portrayal of high school students which many viewers, myself included, appreciated.

If you enjoyed Netflix’s Outer Banks, then you may enjoy On My Block as both shows focus on teenagers and the adventures that come their way. Those who enjoy comedy may find that On My Block is worth a watch as well.

The show totals three seasons, with each episode nearing thirty minutes. Netflix has yet to confirm its fourth season although On My Block’s creators say they are hopeful. It has a ‘Rotten Tomatoes’ score of 95% with an average audience score of 91%.

Truly boiling it down, though, On My Block features an underrepresented community alongside a fascinating friend group that, well… lives on a block.