Penelope is an eight-episode coming-of-age drama about a 16-year-old who leaves home for the Pacific Northwest wilderness. Instead of building a conventional runaway mystery around her, the series lingers on the small, difficult work of being alone outdoors—making fire, finding food and learning how to shelter. That patient, impressionistic approach is why TIME critic Judy Berman called it “more like poetry than prose.”
What is Penelope about?
After feeling alienated during a camping trip and receiving a message from her mother about SAT preparation, Penelope sets out on her own. She buys outdoor gear, takes a train and heads toward Cascade National Forest with a survival guide but little experience of wilderness travel. The story follows her attempts to teach herself practical skills, including making a fire, finding food and building more capable shelters.
The premise could be treated as a runaway procedural, with the focus on searching parents or police. Instead, the series largely stays with Penelope and the pace of her days outside. The central question is less “Where will she go next?” than how she will meet the next immediate need.
Why does it feel different from conventional TV?
TIME critic Judy Berman describes the show as “immersive and impressionistic.” Its long, patient shots of nature, birdsong, footsteps and serene wordless music give the wilderness room to shape the viewing experience. The result emphasizes atmosphere and observation over rapid plot turns or explanatory dialogue.
#1 Best Overall
- WINTER-READY: This 4-season sleeping bag, the Coleman Big & Tall, serves as a warm sleeping bag with its 40"x84" size. Designed for adults, it accommodates campers up to 6'5".
- OPTIMUM INSULATION: As a cold-weather sleeping bag for adults, it's filled with 5 pounds of Holofill 808 insulation. This makes it an ideal thermal sleeping bag, retaining body heat even at 10°F.
- FEATURE-RICH DESIGN: This adult sleeping bag cold weather is equipped with smart technologies like a no-snag patented zipper and FiberLock to prevent insulation shifting, bringing comfort to any camping trip.
- EASY STORAGE: The Coleman XL sleeping bag for adults comes with a Wrap 'N' Roll storage system. It allows for effortless packing, making it a standout in sleeping bags & camp bedding products for travel-friendly use.
- DURABLE AND COZY: Crafted with a heavy-duty cotton cover and a synthetic flannel liner, this survival sleeping bag combines durability with comfort. Its flannel sleeping bag design also makes it machine washable for easy cleaning.
Berman compares its themes to Into the Wild, Cheryl Strayed’s Wild and Lauren Groff’s The Vaster Wilds: stories of people drawn toward a life beyond familiar social structures. Those are the critic’s comparisons, not a claim that the works tell the same story. Berman also notes that Penelope leaves its central journey less definitively resolved than those examples.
The title’s “like nothing else on TV” phrasing is a critical judgment, not a universal verdict. The more precise distinction is its combination of an adolescent point of view, wilderness survival and unusually unhurried form.
Rank #2
- Stay warm in temperatures as low as 30°F
- For campers up to 5 ft. 11 in.
- Thermolock draft tube along the zipper keeps body heat from escaping
- Fiberlock construction keeps insulation from shifting
- Fiberlock construction keeps insulation from shifting
Who made the series?
Mark Duplass and Mel Eslyn created and wrote Penelope. Eslyn directed every episode and served as showrunner; Megan Stott stars as Penelope. Washington State’s 2024 Motion Picture Competitiveness Program report describes the series as an independently made episodic production by Duplass Brothers Productions. Netflix picked it up after its debut in the 2024 Sundance Film Festival’s Episodic Pilot Showcase.
Eslyn connected the story’s appeal to a desire to step away from technology and return to nature. In a statement reproduced in the state report from a Sundance Film Festival “Give me the Backstory” item dated September 24, 2024, she described a “collective longing for a simpler time” and a “primal calling” to go back to nature.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsRank #3
- USED FOR ALL SEASONS: Our Sleeping Bags can be used for all seasons.They are designed for 10~20 Degrees Celsius. Moreover, these bags also have a weather-resistant design to keep you warm even in extreme conditions and prevent you from any dampness - this is achieved through double-filled technology.our sleeping bags are designed to ensure that after a tiring day of trekking, hiking, travel or any other exploration you can get a good and relaxing night’s sleep.
- DESIGN: It used as one large queen size sleeping bag or as 2 individual sleeping bags, you can easly finish it through untie the zipper.
- MATERIAL: Outer Cover Material-premium 210T Anti-tearing Polyester Fabric which is waterproof and Breathable; Lining Material:190T polyester pongee.
- SIZE&EASY TO CARRY: (190 + 30)cm x 145 cm.Can be wiped clean making it versatile and convenient. Each sleeping bag comes with a compression sack with straps, allowing for super convenient storage and easy carry maneuverability.
- Be Assured To Buy: We are committed to providing high quality products.But if you are not satisfied for any reason, please contact our customer support, we will try our best to make you satisfied with your purchase.
Where was Penelope filmed?
The Washington State report lists filming dates of September 14 through October 31, 2022, and locations in Arlington, Index, Kenmore, Kirkland, Monroe, North Bend, Seattle, Skykomish, Snohomish and Snoqualmie. The show also appeared as an official selection at SXSW and SeriesFest, according to the same report.
How many episodes are there, and where can you watch?
Penelope has eight episodes, a count reported by BGR in September 2024 and corroborated by TIME’s review that month. BGR reported on September 25, 2024 that all eight were then available on Netflix. Streaming catalogs vary by country and can change, so check Netflix in your region for current availability.
Rank #4
- BEST YEAR ROUND SLEEPING BAG - Temperature rated for 50°F to 77°F. Easily fits a 6ft adult and weighs only around 3lbs. It's perfect for spring, summer, fall, and cool weather. The ultra-strong, waterproof outer protective shell is made from our unique waterproof hex-tech design, double-layered with S-shape stitching, and 3D inner synthetic fiber fill for optimal warmth and insulation to protect you from the elements.
- CAMP IN COMFORT FOR ALL AGES - Bring the comfort of your own bed to the great outdoors. Our camping sleeping bags are engineered to guarantee a good night's sleep after a hard day of activities. No matter how tough the terrain or long the day, sleep well with MalloMe. And with vibrant colours loved by both boys and girls, they're great for kids too!
- ULTRALIGHT FOR BACKPACKING - A must have for hiking, backpacking, and camping, the perfect balance of performance and lightweight materials for every adventure. Each sleeping bag comes with a compression sack with straps, which makes it super convenient to store and easy to carry.
- EASY TO CLEAN - Our waterproof outer shell is easily wiped clean with a damp cloth. In case of heavy soilage the sleeping bag is designed for machine washing as well, ensuring easy maintenance and longevity.
- EXCELLENT DESIGN - Enjoy high-quality double-sided zippers that are snag-free and super satisfying to use. Tug those drawstrings in the headrest to bring the bag a little closer to your head for extra warmth in colder weather. While you’re there, pat that extra velcro securing strap too - it’ll keep you nice and snug with no unwanted zipper movement. Great sleeping bags for adults and kids.
Is the survival guide in the show a specific book?
TIME reports that Penelope carries a survival guide, but does not identify its title. A general wilderness-survival guide is a relevant companion read if the practical side of her journey interests you; no particular book should be taken as the one featured in the series.
Quick Recap
Sources
- TIME, Judy Berman, “The Breathtaking ‘Penelope’ Is Like Nothing Else on TV,” September 24, 2024
- BGR, Jacob Siegal, “This New Netflix Show Is Being Described As ‘Like Nothing Else On TV’,” September 25, 2024
- Washington State Department of Commerce, 2024 Motion Picture Competitiveness Program Report
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
