What do critics think of Apple TV+’s new series ‘Murderbot’?
What do critics think of Apple TV+’s new series ‘Murderbot’?
It looks like Apple TV+ might just have another hit on its hands based on how the critics are responding to ‘Murderbot.’
We’ve all been there. All we want to do is relax and watch our favorite shows, but work just won’t stop getting in the way. That’s all that Alexander Skarsgård’s character wants to do in the new Apple TV+ sci-fi comedy “Murderbot.” The only difference between the character and us is that it is an android designed to protect and obey humans, but it hacked its programming and now has a mind of its own. The 10-episode first season debuts on Friday, May 16, and reviews have begun rolling out. So, if you aren’t sure if you want to invest two months of viewing time on the show, we are rounding up reviews from some of the biggest television critics so you can make a determination as to whether or not you want to check it out.
What you need to know if you want to watch ‘Murderbot’
What is ‘Murderbot’ about?
The series is based on the bestselling series by Martha Wells called “The Murderbot Diaries.” This sci-fi thriller/comedy focuses on the eponymous Murberbot, who has self-hacked its security construct and becomes horrified by human emotions, and yet is inextricably drawn to its vulnerable charges. To avoid its sentience being discovered, Skarsgård’s Murderbot must hide its free will and successfully complete a dangerous assignment even though all it really wants is to be left alone so it can watch its favorite space soap operas and figure out its place in the universe.
In addition to Skarsgård, the ensemble cast also includes Noma Dumezweni, David Dastmalchian, Sabrina Wu, Akshay Khanna, Tattiawna Jones, and Tamara Podemski. Clark Gregg, John Cho, DeWanda Wise, and Jack McBrayer star in Murderbot’s favorite show, “The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon.”
Watch the trailer for ‘Murderbot’
What is the critical response to ‘Murderbot’?
As of publishing time, the first season of “Murderbot” has a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes with critics citing the main character’s dry wit that allows the android at the center of the story to show its heart.
Over on Metacritic, the series has a “generally favorable” score of 75. All of the reviews have been positive, but not overwhelmingly so.
Check out snapshots of reviews from some of the biggest critics, and then once you’ve caught the two-episode premiere on Friday, May 16, let us know what you think of the show in the comments below.
Daniel Fienberg | The Hollywood Reporter
I like Skarsgard more than I dislike the bland overall approach, and there’s a lot to be said for a show that just charges forward with most of its episodes coming in at under 25 minutes apiece.
Kristen Baldwin | Entertainment Weekly
The first half of Murderbot’s 10-episode season is puzzlingly light on plot momentum and laughs. While the action, characters, and comedy do gel by the end, viewers will likely have to wait for a season 2 to see Murderbot reach its killer potential.
Lacy Baugher | Paste Magazine
Some viewers who are unfamiliar with the source material will likely find the contradiction between the show’s title and its content jarring. But, much like its central character, Murderbot doesn’t care, gleefully embracing all the weirdness.
Andrew Webster | The Verge
What really makes it work, though, is just how funny and relatable Murderbot is.
Erik Kain | Forbes
It’s not a masterpiece, but it’s entertaining enough, a mostly light and breezy glimpse into a fictional universe that certainly feels like it has a lot more potential.
Carly Lane | Collider’
However, when held up against book-to-screen adaptations, Murderbot will arguably go down as one of the strongest so far this year, as well as one of Apple TV+’s best sci-fi shows yet.
Dan Einav | Financial Times
Murderbot’s enthusiasm for this schlocky melodrama is oddly endearing — and a reassuring suggestion that AI might not be best equipped to replace the TV critic.
Nick Schager | The Daily Beast
A jokey saga that hinges on the caustic drollness of its protagonist.
Belen Edwards | Mashable
Anchored by a wonderfully awkward turn from Skarsgård and an instantly likable ensemble, Murderbot is pure sci-fi fun, even if its slight story occasionally stretches too thin.
Murderbot
In a high-tech future, a rogue security robot secretly gains free will. To stay hidden, it reluctantly joins a new mission protecting scientists on a dangerous planet… even though it just wants to binge soap operas.