Chad Powers Review: Glen Powell’s Double Life, Flaws & Surprises

When Chad Powers was announced, many thought it was a goofy sports comedy. But as the episodes roll out on Hulu, it’s showing that under the wigs and disguises, there’s more going on. The show stars Glen Powell as Russ Holliday, a fallen college quarterback who assumes a new identity,y Chad Powers, to sneak into another team and try for redemption.

In this review, we’ll dig into the story, performances, what works and what doesn’t, and whether Chad Powers is worth your time now in 2025.

What Is Chad Powers About?

• The series is based on a sketch by Eli Manning from his ESPN series Eli’s Places. In that video, Eli goes undercover as “Chad Powers” at a college football tryout. The show expands that idea into a full story.

• Russ Holliday used to be a top quarterback. But after a major mishap that damaged his reputation, he disappears from the limelight.

• Years later, Russ creates the persona “Chad Powers”, complete with prosthetic nose, wig, and mustache, and tries to walk onto a struggling college team under that disguise.

• The show is a mix of comedy, sports, identity crisis, and redemption. It tries to ask: can you start fresh by hiding who you were?

Performances & Behind the Scenes

Glen Powell takes on a tricky role because he must play two versions: Russ (broken, regretful) and Chad (fake, ambitious). Many reviews praise how he balances both, giving nuance to each side.

To pull off Chad Powers, he had to endure heavy prosthetics, masks, wigs, and even give up alcohol (because sweating through a prosthetic is a risk).

Steve Zahn (playing the coach) even said he broke character several times just seeing Powell in full disguise, testimony to how transformed the look is.

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What Works Well

1. Bold Concept
It’s rare to see a show mix sports, identity, and disguise in such an obvious way. The idea of someone literally hiding themselves to resurrect their career is dramatic and comedic.

2. Emotional Undercurrents
Though it begins funny and absurd, the show gradually becomes more about regret, guilt, and self-worth. You see Holliday trying to live two lives, and the psychological tension is real.

3. Interesting Supporting Cast
The show doesn’t just rely on Powell. Other actors, like Perry Mattfeld, Steve Zahn, and team members, bring flavor to their roles. Some subplots, coach struggles, and team dynamics add depth.

4. Some Fun Moments & Satire
There’s humor in the absurdity, the disguises, the hidden identity, Russ trying to pull off Chad. It has scenes that are silly but also smart in how they mock fame, masks, and image.

What Doesn’t Land Perfectly

1. Tone Swings & Harsh Edges
At times, the show feels too mean or cold. Some jokes are sharp, and the emotional scenes sometimes clash with the comedy. Reviewers have pointed this out.

2. Derivative Elements
It’s hard not to compare Chad Powers to Ted Lasso (sports + heart) or Mrs. Doubtfire (disguise and identity). Some critics say it borrows too heavily from those like and doesn’t always make those ideas its own.

3. Pacing & Depth Issues
Because the show tries a lot, some arcs don’t get full development. Some questions are raised without satisfying resolution. Also, episodes sometimes stall in transitions between identity, sports, and personal drama.

4. Mixed Critical Reception
On Rotten Tomatoes, Chad Powers’ Season 1 has a 56% critic score. On Metacritic, it’s in the “mixed or average” range with a 54 score. So the audience and critics are divided. The show is a risk more than a sure hit.

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Verdict

Chad Powers is bold, messy, interesting, and flawed. It’s not perfect, but it gets points for trying something different. If you like shows where a character is hiding, trying to redeem themselves, or wrestling with their dual identity, this will pull you in. If you want pure feel-good or tight comedy, some parts may feel sharp or uneven.

I’d give it 7/10. The concept and Powell’s performance are strong draws. But it needs to find more balance if it wants to become a standout series, not just a curious experiment.