From fake dating to unexpected blossoming feelings, Off-Campus is a TV show based on the bestselling book series by Elle Kennedy and features college student Hannah Wells and hockey captain Garrett Graham. At Briar’s U, Garrett is failing psychology terribly, and to continue playing for his team, he needs to find a way to pass. In turn, he asks the smartest girl in the class to tutor him. Though she is vehemently against the idea at first, she eventually agrees after they strike a deal. Hannah is a typical college girl learning how to navigate a bustling social life, a heavy workload, and personal struggles that adolescent viewers can relate to. When she meets Justin Kohl, a student who goes to Briar, she is immediately head over heels. She hasn’t had a crush in a long time and decides she wants to pursue him. There is just one problem: he doesn’t know Hannah exists. Consequently, Hannah asks Garrett for help as his presence attracts attention across campus. She then begins tutoring Garrett in exchange for him to be her fake boyfriend. Eventually, the plan works, and Hannah has Justin’s attention. However, Hannah realizes she no longer harbors feelings for Justin but Garrett instead. The two make an unlikely pair that works as they inspire one another and push each other forward to success. These characters, among others, demonstrate how the show is well-balanced through its acting, chemistry, and world-building.

The acting present in Off–Campus brings the characters’ emotions and personal lives to the forefront, making it engaging. Ella Bright, who plays Hannah, brings emotional depth to the character, developing Hannah into a determined college student who has to battle through her struggles to succeed. Her physical acting choices further bring the character to life, with intense facial expressions and body language. These choices are imperative to connect the character to the viewer. Without them, it would make her character appear flat on screen and fail to capture individuals’ attention. Whilst actor Belmont Cameli portrays Garrett, adding a personal twist to the book’s character. Garrett Graham’s character is complicated, having intricate layers that shift his moments of insecurity into growth as he begins to take his own responsibilities seriously. Through small details like clenching his fists, a raise of the eyebrows, and the tone in his voice, he alludes to the emotions he hides underneath. It provides an interesting perspective on the character you get that you don’t see in the books. With the implementation of quiet, reflective moments and repressed emotions, the actor of Garrett reinforces the character’s layered nature. However, not all characters in the show could be considered three-dimensional, but rather one-dimensional. Garrett’s roommate, John Logan, is a key figure as one of his hockey teammates. Contrasting from the book series, there is a new character added. John Logan now has a little sister named Jules, who runs a gossip page for Briar U. Jules was not in the book but a last-minute addition to the show. It makes her character feel rushed, and every plot point she is in lacks diverse characterization. Compared to Hannah and Garrett, who are well-developed and have a rich depiction, leading them to be likable. Where Jules’ character is majorly disliked. Popular platforms like TikTok, who post about the show, discuss their dislike, claiming Jules is “unnecessary for the plot.” Further stating that her only purpose appears to be moving the plot along for Hannah and Garrett’s love story. 

The broad soundtrack enhances the tension between Hannah and Garrett throughout the series. Music is strategically implemented to reflect the growth of their relationship over time. It shifts from lighthearted tracks during their fake-dating situation to slower, emotionally charged music as their feelings become more genuine. In the first episode, “Dancing With Myself” by Billy Idol and Generation X plays—an upbeat song that mirrors Garrett’s confident and carefree self, also emphasizing the playful dynamic that is rapidly forming with Hannah. The rhythm overall creates a fun vibe that highlights the entertaining nature of their arrangement. As the series moves forward, the soundtrack becomes more intimate with the emotional songs playing during key moments. “Baby Now That I’ve Found You” plays when the two finally ditch the fake-dating label and make it a reality. The show’s adaptation of it is slow, emotionally layered, and reflects Hannah’s vulnerability as she finally admits her feelings for Garrett. Contrasting from earlier tracks, the song creates a calm atmosphere, allowing viewers to focus on the emotional weight of the scene, aided by soft instruments and lyrics that emphasize how the relationship has transformed from something performative into something meaningful.

The series effectively creates realistic world-building reflecting the struggles of university life. At the beginning of the series, it is shown that Hannah is a music composition major and has a passion for classical music. She earned a scholarship to Briar’s U for classical music, but due to a lack of funding in the music department, she lost the scholarship. Meanwhile, the sports department gains funding. This highlights issues that occur in the real world, where athletics often thrive compared to the arts, which suffer from a lack of financial support. This is important to her because she can’t afford college on her own without aid. There are other forms of music she can join to gain another scholarship. Although there are times when it’s pictured accurately, there are also instances in which it is misleading. In particular, Hannah’s dorm is portrayed as a spacious apartment, whereas most college students live in a cramped dorm with a shared bathroom. Having college pictured in a glamorous light can mislead individuals into forming unrealistic expectations because the show fails to illustrate the actual college experience, ultimately leading to disappointment. Another imperative aspect to mention is the hockey games that were pictured to create excitement. Where it did put viewers on the edge of their seats, it failed to capture the true essence of a hockey game. It looked unrealistic, as the skating was poorly executed, as well as the awkward point of view leading a lot of viewers (myself included) to skip the fumbled scenes.

Conclusively, Off-Campus blends romance, drama, and realism into a deep story that is emotionally engaging to viewers. The series highlights how connections can lead to genuine growth through facing challenges head-on. Hannah and Garrett’s love story is an intriguing watch that leaves you on the edge of your seat. I personally would recommend the show for its storyline, character development and the emotional depth of the relationships on screen. These factors make the series entertaining and relatable and rival other coming-of-age dramas.

Rating: 4.3/5 ⭐