'This feminist murder mystery is the best whodunnit I've seen in years.'

There's nothing I love more than a feisty feminist murder mystery, and Stan's new eight-episode series, He Had It Coming, hits every single note perfectly. 

This show is a razor-sharp, super bingeable whodunnit that feels both universal but also quintessentially Australian. Not to mention, it's eight episodes long, but every episode is only around 20 minutes which, in my opinion, is the perfect episode length for any show.

The series follows two unlikely college students, Elise (Lydia West) and Barbara (Natasha Liu Bordizzo), who are definitely not friends but find themselves united by a mutual act of protest. As part of a drunken, activist art project, they vandalise the statue of their university's revered (and highly problematic) male founder. Classic university antics, right?

Wrong. They wake up not just to massive hangovers, but to a far more serious nightmare: the university's star athlete, a prominent — and very misogynistic — figure on campus, has been brutally murdered, and his body has been dramatically displayed right there, at the foot of their freshly defaced statue.

Watch the trailer for He Had It Coming. Article continues after the video.

Suddenly, the two students are bound by a dangerous secret, forced to desperately cover their tracks while the intensely watchful Detective Shepherd (Liv Hewson) begins to circle the crime scene. It's so good.

But what makes things more interesting is that this isn't just a simple murder case. The show masterfully uses the murder mystery to pull back the curtain on the growing gender tensions already simmering on campus. The pressure mounts on Elise and Barbara — who are quickly becoming primary suspects — forcing them to go from covering up vandalism to frantically searching for the real serial killer to clear their names.

What truly elevates He Had It Coming is its approach to gender politics. The series uses humour, extremes, and pure, delicious absurdity as a tool to explore some very topical issues we're facing as a society. It's funny, it's a bit unhinged, and it's deeply insightful.

Image: Stan

You'll meet the aggressively self-proclaimed 'feminist' professor who loves to spout progressive ideals but is, naturally, completely problematic. There's the incredibly specific "angry feminist" character who, in a brilliant bit of satirical writing, genuinely and repeatedly screams things like "KILL ALL MEN." 

Then there's the dynamic between the two leads.

Barbara, the social media influencer, embodies the modern dilemma of digital activism: she's all about surface-level "girl power" online, perfectly curated for her followers, but she strategically stays neutral on any actual politics or difficult issues just to keep her neutral brand and sponsorships safe.

Elise, by contrast, is the more genuinely politically driven but socially awkward student. Their reluctant alliance is the core of the story, and the amazing chemistry between Lydia West and Natashia Liu Bordizzo really carries the entire show.

And we absolutely have to talk about the Cody Simpson of it all (yes, that Cody Simpson). He plays the epitome of the misogynist campus jock, a walking, talking trope who complains about "misandry" in the most deluded yet scarily real way. He is wonderful in the role — you will genuinely love to hate him.

Image: Stan

The characters feel like heightened versions of reality but manage to remain eerily familiar at the same time. Genius writing, really. 

The acting is stellar across the board, making the chaos feel anchored and real. And the music? Hands down one of the best parts of the show — it really sets the atmosphere. Think heavy rotations of girly punk, driving pop, and unapologetic rock — the ideal, high-energy soundtrack for sneaking around a university campus while attempting to solve a feminist-themed serial murder.

He Had It Coming is the rare show that delivers a fast-paced, twist-filled, genuine murder mystery while simultaneously offering sharp, funny, and utterly unforgettable social commentary on modern gender politics. 

If you're a fan of satirical campus thrillers like Scream Queens but with a bit of social bite, you need to watch this immediately.

Feature Image: Stan.