Altered Carbon

:

Season 1
  • Network: Netflix
  • Series Premiere Date: Feb 2, 2018
Season #: 2, 1
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 696 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 555 out of 696
  2. Mixed: 83 out of 696
  3. Negative: 58 out of 696
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  1. ozymandias79
    Feb 3, 2018
    8
    Wow. What an awesome mix of scifi, noir, cyberpunk, and mystery. Set designs, music, HDR, all outstanding. Couldn't recommend this show enough. Even after bingeing in 1 day, I wanted more.
  2. Spookydarren
    Feb 12, 2018
    8
    Bladerunner+nudity+violence. Whats not to like?

    Some great SI-FI ideas here, maybe the critics don't rate it highly because they didn't understand it.
  3. Vancomycin
    Feb 2, 2018
    8
    This is definitely a show you'll want to keep the remote handy with if you have small children. Naked bodies show up so frequently by the end of it you'll feel like a prostate physician. This season of television will unavoidably be compared to Blade Runner. The gravitas, color palette, grungy advertisement-filled world and analytical look at humanity and purpose provide most of the plot.This is definitely a show you'll want to keep the remote handy with if you have small children. Naked bodies show up so frequently by the end of it you'll feel like a prostate physician. This season of television will unavoidably be compared to Blade Runner. The gravitas, color palette, grungy advertisement-filled world and analytical look at humanity and purpose provide most of the plot. The rest is just flashes of light, violence, impressive f/x and did I mention nudity?… Expand
  4. kushtopia
    Feb 6, 2018
    8
    Altered Carbon is a beautiful, dark, and compelling series, and one of the absolute best new series on Netflix right now. It really is the closest thing to a sci-fi Game of Thrones (not quite at the same level, but close). It delivers masterfully on cinematography, providing engrossing backstories and a rich world, and exploring deep themes about the nature of humanity and our path as weAltered Carbon is a beautiful, dark, and compelling series, and one of the absolute best new series on Netflix right now. It really is the closest thing to a sci-fi Game of Thrones (not quite at the same level, but close). It delivers masterfully on cinematography, providing engrossing backstories and a rich world, and exploring deep themes about the nature of humanity and our path as we go forward into the future.

    The main actor is good for a majority of the season with the occasional bad performance sprinkled throughout. One dynamic that painfully sticks out is Takeshi's general disdain for Laurens Bancroft for what seems like nothing. This, however, is a writing issue more than an acting one. I felt the same way about one or two supporting cast members (e.g. Ortega-she just needs to dial down the angry hot-headed cop archetype down a bit; Quell- was just bad), but a vast majority of the rest of cast was a joy to watch.

    However, I felt like the show was wrapped up a little to neatly. You go through the majority of the season getting gut wrenching cliff hanger after cliff hanger, and some genuinely surprising twists and deaths only to have the ending be so cleanly wrapped up. It sort of breaks the immersion of a real and lived in world. Also, there are certain sub-plots that felt unnecessary or distracting (eg, Lizzie) and some that were so compelling that it felt like an injustice not to explore them more (Ryker's story, Dimi's involvement, the Kovachs siblings and their backstory, the Elder civilization). The four subplots I just listed were actually way more interesting than the actual murder mystery that's supposed to be at the center of the story. By the end, the murder mystery itself feels like one of those less interesting subplots- with Takeshi's progression and character growth being the central focus. While I actually enjoyed this change in focus, I still felt like they could have made the audience more invested in the outcome of the case.

    The whole season is riddled with these small indiscretions and while it doesn't detract much from the viewing experience at the time, it does leave you with a certain indifference when you finish the series. I didn't feel as connected to the characters as I did with some of my other favorite shows and while I felt satisfied with the world and what it offered, I have no wanton desire to go back. This is surprising for a show that I couldn't stop watching episode to episode yet a new season of it wouldn't even make the top 10 of my viewing list.

    Other minor complaints:
    The sex/nudity in this series is borderline pornographic. They definitely overdid it.
    The action scenes are nothing special- you likely have seen every action scene in this show in another movie or series.
    Language- the sciency jargon gets to be a bit much and in certain scenes you have literally no idea wtf they are talking about.
    The parallels to Blade Runner are painfully obvious- I wish they had done enough to separate the themes of the two universes.
    While the main villain is brilliant, he/she is revealed way too late, leaving the rest of the season with no primary antagonist.

    Rating: Must-Watch
    Doesn't deserve anything lower than a 7 or anything higher than an 8.5 depending on you preference. I give it a solid 8. BTW, in 70-80% of the negative reviews written, the reviewer claims to have watched only one or two episodes. If you don't like it at first, give it a chance, it's worth it.    … Expand
  5. ComandanteCobra
    Mar 4, 2020
    8
    Very good, hard sci-fi, a little old school (in a good cyber-punk way), good mix of action and drama. There is conspiracy, dystopian future, noire investigations, hot girls (also boys), gunfights, martial arts stunts, relation (and problemes) with technologies and dehumanization...and so on.
  6. cherold
    Feb 15, 2018
    8
    Just finished season one of Altered Carbon. While I found it flawed and often confusing, I also found it riveting, watching the season in just about a week.

    The series takes place in a future where everyone's brain is recorded so that if you die the recording can be housed in a new body (called a sleeve). A revolutionary, kept in cold storage for a couple of centuries, is resleeved and    Just finished season one of Altered Carbon. While I found it flawed and often confusing, I also found it riveting, watching the season in just about a week.

    The series takes place in a future where everyone's brain is recorded so that if you die the recording can be housed in a new body (called a sleeve). A revolutionary, kept in cold storage for a couple of centuries, is resleeved and enlisted by a billionaire to investigate that billionaire's murder in a previous sleeve.

    The series has a solid noir feel, although the sex and violence are so pervasive that it is more Mickey Spillane than Raymond Chandler. This is certainly more inspired by Blade Runner than Maltese Falcon, but Blade Runner is a good source for inspiration. (Anyone interested in more classic noir should check out the Hugh Laurie series Chance.

    The action scenes are solid, the nudity is frequent and generally gratuitous, and the whole thing has an epic, over-the-top feel that makes it hard to stop watching.

    The basic underlying premise does not, by the way, make a lot of sense. If you were born in your body, and your brain was being backed up, you still wouldn't want to die, because a backup is not you (though once you've died once it would be different. Same issue for the religious folks who think being resleeved kills your soul; if there's a soul, the chip is not recording it. Basically, which the series never says it, most of these people aren't people, they are computer simulations of people. Which is interesting, but it's weird no one in the series seems aware of something so obvious.    … Expand
  7. JTV
    Feb 8, 2018
    8
    An interesting Sci-f show with a element cyberpunk and noir in a way that the visuals would surprise you.
  8. freshtalent
    Feb 3, 2018
    8
    Pretty good for a tv show . The first two episodes were good, solid special effects and settings. Good film noir detective tropes. Good cyber punk stuff. Main actor is good. Detective lady has been a weak actor in the first couple episodes. I feel like a miscast, or hopefully she improves. Could be bad directing at times, and weak writing, but she def is not strong so far.
  9. gandalfsucks
    Jul 9, 2018
    8
    An excellently constructed Blade Runner-type world. The characters are compelling, and the acting is par Netflix originals. The production value is through the roof, but the overall series is hamstrung by the middling story, as has become common with my experiences with Netflix originals. An unnecessary murder mystery along with a few other side mysteries for what is essentially a familyAn excellently constructed Blade Runner-type world. The characters are compelling, and the acting is par Netflix originals. The production value is through the roof, but the overall series is hamstrung by the middling story, as has become common with my experiences with Netflix originals. An unnecessary murder mystery along with a few other side mysteries for what is essentially a family drama. Some events, especially towards the end, occur for no other reason other than being necessary for the lazy scriptwriter. The show spends way too much time dealing with relationship dynamics that will be useful only if they ever make a second season, or if they had spent more time in this one. You expect the story to break the traditional rules set by the world, but when the rule breaking becomes commonplace by meaningless characters, it loses the impact. Good effort, but quite a few irksome story points.… Expand
  10. TalulaGrey
    Feb 4, 2018
    8
    I enjoyed this series but I did not read the book that the show is based on. I must admit that it was difficult going for the first three episodes because there were certain things that were not revealed until episode 4 and then other things that were better explained in episode 7. I do not want to spoil it for you, please watch and be patient. I thought the casting choice for KristinI enjoyed this series but I did not read the book that the show is based on. I must admit that it was difficult going for the first three episodes because there were certain things that were not revealed until episode 4 and then other things that were better explained in episode 7. I do not want to spoil it for you, please watch and be patient. I thought the casting choice for Kristin Ortega was a miss. I didn't like the character at all and by episode 4, I understood her better but as an actress she's not very good. I thought Miriam Bancroft looked exactly like Courtney Love (kinda gross, I know). Miriam is played by Kristin Lehman and she did an okay job. There were a few characters that were outstanding; Matt Biedel was amazing as was Chris Conner. Joel Kinnaman and James Purefoy carried their characters quite nicely. Hayley Law was an excellent choice to play Lizzie Elliot. I enjoyed Waleed Zuaiter's performance and Dichen Lachmen was so good as Reileen Kawahara . There were many others that stood out but this is just off the top of my head. The special effects were very well done and I recognized a few places from around here in Vancouver, BC. A few things to know... There is nudity and some sex. It's not crazy over the top sex, but it is there. There is blood and violence as well so be prepared. The ending was well done and they could do another series if they wanted but this story wrapped up very well indeed. I gave it an 8 out of 10 because of the strength of the acting was not always evident and I feel like they cheaped-out on the music.… Expand
  11. Naessarne
    Feb 8, 2018
    8
    Read the book many years since and recall the pretty unique cyberpunk/noir tone - which differed enough to Dick/Gibson Blade Runner/Neuromancer to make it stand out. This adaption hits the cyberpunk on the head but doesn't have enough of a feel of the Noir. That being said its a pretty great watch. Sure the actor who plays Takeshi is wooden, but for me it works and he reflects myRead the book many years since and recall the pretty unique cyberpunk/noir tone - which differed enough to Dick/Gibson Blade Runner/Neuromancer to make it stand out. This adaption hits the cyberpunk on the head but doesn't have enough of a feel of the Noir. That being said its a pretty great watch. Sure the actor who plays Takeshi is wooden, but for me it works and he reflects my recollection of the character and The Raven hotel is brilliant.… Expand
  12. AsmodeusML
    Feb 6, 2018
    8
    This show is pretty cool. It isn't exactly groundbreaking in terms of story or dialogues but the setting, the universe and visuals on display are amazing. The cast is also mostly spot on. The reason i think this series needs to become a hit is because it has so much potential to be so much more in the next season, all it needs is a better and slightly more original story and dialogues.This show is pretty cool. It isn't exactly groundbreaking in terms of story or dialogues but the setting, the universe and visuals on display are amazing. The cast is also mostly spot on. The reason i think this series needs to become a hit is because it has so much potential to be so much more in the next season, all it needs is a better and slightly more original story and dialogues. This one deserves it… Expand
  13. Dubeau
    Aug 3, 2018
    8
    Really nice mystery sci-fi flick. A bit slow to start but after episode 4 this gets on going in a big time. The story is complex but in many ways about family love and hates. It borrows from Blade Runner's looks but for most of it, it's a detective story. The main hero wasn't that amazing. A bit of overacting, but all the other characters are extremely solid in their performance. The FXReally nice mystery sci-fi flick. A bit slow to start but after episode 4 this gets on going in a big time. The story is complex but in many ways about family love and hates. It borrows from Blade Runner's looks but for most of it, it's a detective story. The main hero wasn't that amazing. A bit of overacting, but all the other characters are extremely solid in their performance. The FX were decent for TV show. The sexuality was depicted in a very nice aesthetically way. No for kids or young adults. I give it 78%. Good sci-fi.Renewed for Season 2!… Expand
  14. Acclamation
    Feb 6, 2018
    8
    Awesome sci-fi storyline and acting. The nudity is also a plus, which gives it a highly realistic feel. Unfortunately, the ending has some inane Feminism, but it reclaims some goodness at the very end. I still haven’t seen a Netflix exclusive this good since “House of Cards.”
    Totally worth the watch.
  15. kot0005
    May 5, 2018
    8
    Great show, with good character build up. It would have been more fun if they made the character a bit more over powered, like his first body was. Amazing art and environments.
  16. C_ROCKD
    Feb 4, 2018
    8
    I have not read the book nor am I going to complain about something as minor as cigarette use in the movie. What I can say Altered Carbon is a well paced Sci Fi Drama with a good amount of action. The characters are believable and performed well. The world Altered Carbon builds is a rememberable Blade Runner esque enviornment. Visuals and cgi vary from good to almost stunning. TheI have not read the book nor am I going to complain about something as minor as cigarette use in the movie. What I can say Altered Carbon is a well paced Sci Fi Drama with a good amount of action. The characters are believable and performed well. The world Altered Carbon builds is a rememberable Blade Runner esque enviornment. Visuals and cgi vary from good to almost stunning. The story can get confusing if you don't pay close attention. The TV show feels as if you're watching a 10 hour movie. Each episode cliff hanger left me wanting to watch more. Try not to overly compare the the movie to the book but as a seperate adaptation. If you do this you will find Netflix has put out yet another very above average series.… Expand
  17. Gogglebox
    Jul 11, 2018
    8
    Overall very good if you like sci fi. Plot may be too complicated for some but I liked its deepening backstory. First episode was intriguing but second or third a bit iffy, but story got more interesting. Glad I kept watching. It could stand alone as a story but a second season would be welcome in our household of adults and older teens.
  18. Bobbydownhill
    Mar 8, 2020
    8
    Cyberpunk sweetness and awesome cast and storytelling. Bit long list of executive producers instead of crediting the composer. But over all a very pleasant change of menu on Netflix
  19. stormtossed
    Apr 10, 2020
    8
    Amazing first season. This show had everything that an (adult) sci-fi lover could have ever wanted. Strong Blade Runner's vibes, creative and interesting world building, philosophical questions, great special effects.

    But what made this show stand out, was the depiction of adult themes: tons of sex, nudity, graphic violence. You couldn't look away. Always keeps you hooked. I strongly    Amazing first season. This show had everything that an (adult) sci-fi lover could have ever wanted. Strong Blade Runner's vibes, creative and interesting world building, philosophical questions, great special effects.

    But what made this show stand out, was the depiction of adult themes: tons of sex, nudity, graphic violence. You couldn't look away. Always keeps you hooked.

    I strongly recommend it.

    Too bad 2. season has lost everything that made this show special...    … Expand
  20. gdgipson
    Feb 5, 2018
    7
    I loved the book so the show let me down a bit. Saying that, as a show it’s fine. It definitely doesn’t have the hard tone that a great cyberpunk detective story should have. It’s quite a bit softer. The formula will work well for the sequels. Nice visuals, scratches a cyberpunk itch. To the idiot commenting on the smoking. The whole point is that it’s a sleeve.
  21. Kenmei
    Feb 18, 2018
    7
    A very over-the-top Sci-Fi series that takes alot of investment to get the most out of it. Although a couple of plot holes, some very bland acting by the main character, and some subpar fight scenes kinda took me out of it, I still had an ok time with this show. The main issue I had was with Kinnaman and how bland he came off for most of the show. He really only seemed to have 2 emotions:A very over-the-top Sci-Fi series that takes alot of investment to get the most out of it. Although a couple of plot holes, some very bland acting by the main character, and some subpar fight scenes kinda took me out of it, I still had an ok time with this show. The main issue I had was with Kinnaman and how bland he came off for most of the show. He really only seemed to have 2 emotions: bored and sad for the entire series. It really threw me off since a couple of other characters, including Martha Higareda's Det Ortega, were very well done and seemed to steal most scenes they were apart of. It also didn't help that the story is super dense and can be hard to follow at times so the subpar acting by Kinnaman during the main scenes didn't help with the immersion.
    It also didn't help that the amount of nudity in this show was some of the most I've ever seen in any show ever. It got so bad at times that it just became uncomfortable to watch. Even long fight scenes with multiple nude people in it just became overtly awkward. I would not recommend watching this with any family members not ok with that idea.
    But there are some good elements here and, while the story kinda jumped from place to place at times with little explanation, it still turned out very good, even with all the massive changes done to the original book. It's not award winning but might be worth a second season, even if this part of the story might be over. It's not a bad show per say but so many elements worked together to take you out of the flow of the story that it becomes hard for me to recommend this to anyone that isn't a massive sci-fi buff.    … Expand
  22. miastalman
    Feb 4, 2018
    7
    I have just wantched the series and I want to tell that I really liked it. On the other hand there was no memorable music and the ending was only OK. If they would have fixed that, I would give it 8/10, but it is not worth more.

    The story background, about human "soul" being on "disk" and the plot about having copies by rich people, where copy of one of them is attacked is similar to    I have just wantched the series and I want to tell that I really liked it. On the other hand there was no memorable music and the ending was only OK. If they would have fixed that, I would give it 8/10, but it is not worth more.

    The story background, about human "soul" being on "disk" and the plot about having copies by rich people, where copy of one of them is attacked is similar to the staff from book "Perfekcyjna niedoskonałość" by Jacek Dukaj, so I do not treat is as something very original.    … Expand
  23. chesaro
    Feb 20, 2018
    7
    I didn't read the original work, but i think it has a good story with some bad acting, i'm from mexico, but i think this was too much for martha higareda or i don't know, maybe the director has some fault too, there are a lot of ups and downs, some episodes are really good some are not, you have some decent acting on key moments, and then there is an unnecessary nude just because with badI didn't read the original work, but i think it has a good story with some bad acting, i'm from mexico, but i think this was too much for martha higareda or i don't know, maybe the director has some fault too, there are a lot of ups and downs, some episodes are really good some are not, you have some decent acting on key moments, and then there is an unnecessary nude just because with bad acting on hand, if you like sci fi, its worth the try, if not, you can just ignore it.… Expand
  24. jaasieljunior
    Feb 3, 2018
    7
    Altered Carbon é uma das séries da NETFLIX que se diferencia das demais. Infelizmente, o ritmo da série atrapalhou o seu desenvolvimento,mas em suma,foi uma boa temporada.
  25. NEILTON_1962
    Apr 11, 2018
    7
    Ficção científica. Orçamento do filme alto, a Netflix aposta no sucesso da trama. O piloto e o segundo episódio foram essenciais para o entendimento do restante da temporada. Elenco razoável. Algumas falhas no roteiro, mas como diversão vale a pena.
  26. MrNonono
    Feb 6, 2018
    7
    Let's start with the good part. It's a bit similar to Bladerunner. Visually good looking, the future is a dystopia, that classic film noir vibe (the smoking detective in a long coat), good acting and great action scenes.

    Then the bad part. It isn't Bladerunner. The main characters are both overly sexualized to get more viewers. 250 year old dude wakes up, ripped like Wolverine and meets    Let's start with the good part. It's a bit similar to Bladerunner. Visually good looking, the future is a dystopia, that classic film noir vibe (the smoking detective in a long coat), good acting and great action scenes.

    Then the bad part. It isn't Bladerunner. The main characters are both overly sexualized to get more viewers. 250 year old dude wakes up, ripped like Wolverine and meets this supersexy girl-cop who can do anything whatever she likes, apparently. You know a sex scene is obligatory now. Spoiler: the sex scene is without a bra, a revolution for American television. Throw in a political correct character like 'the sympathetic muslim' (what was his function, except pleasing a certain crowd?). And of course there's the black sidekick of the white hero, because we love stereotypes, don't we?
    So I'm confused. What is this? A romcom? An action movie? Or a proper sci-fi that makes you think about your own reality? I have the impression that the show tries to please every crowd but loses it's own identity with it.    … Expand
  27. JLuis_001
    Feb 13, 2018
    7
    Interesting but with many problems inside the narrative, also the real mystery and the real enemy takes a long time to reveal itself and the rhythm at times is slow and in others frantic, but in general the story is entertaining enough, has good characters but its protagonist is not the most endearing character in the world, it is clear that Joel Kinnaman is not a great actor but he bringsInteresting but with many problems inside the narrative, also the real mystery and the real enemy takes a long time to reveal itself and the rhythm at times is slow and in others frantic, but in general the story is entertaining enough, has good characters but its protagonist is not the most endearing character in the world, it is clear that Joel Kinnaman is not a great actor but he brings the series afloat.
    Martha Higareda achieves what is perhaps the most important role of her career and she works fine, although she plays a lot with the Latina stereotype with all the cursing she does in Spanish.

    The first great Netflix original series in the field of science fiction and cyberpunk, it wasn't bad for a first attempt.    … Expand
  28. angelknives
    Dec 10, 2018
    7
    Altered Carbon is a show full of interesting world building, ideas, and premises that never get used to their full potential. The first few episodes set up so many interesting ideas about AIs, immortality, class struggle, and even aliens, but the rest of the season fails to follow through on these set-ups.

    The main offender is the final part of the season, when a sudden new surprise    Altered Carbon is a show full of interesting world building, ideas, and premises that never get used to their full potential. The first few episodes set up so many interesting ideas about AIs, immortality, class struggle, and even aliens, but the rest of the season fails to follow through on these set-ups.

    The main offender is the final part of the season, when a sudden new surprise antagonist is introduced. The character and the storyline attached to them is incredibly cliched, boring the audience with how predictable it makes the show. And the worst part is that this storyline takes away time from the actually interesting parts of the story. Parts that are left horribly underdeveloped.

    The ending itself is probably the weakest part of the show, tying up everything in neat little bows, presented to the audience in the most easily digestible form, narration.

    All in all, the show does have a very interesting world, and while the writing sometimes suffered from awkward dialogue and lacklustre plotting, I still enjoyed it. I think the lead actors are probably to thank for that, as they really sold the story to me, even when the story itself failed.    … Expand
  29. hallllloo
    Feb 6, 2018
    7
    Sieht super aus, hat schöne Kampfszenen, eine interessante Message, jedoch ist der Einstieg in die Story sehr schwer. Manchmal ist sie sogar ziemlich verwirrend und die Folgen erscheinen einem meistens etwas zu lang.
  30. Ronin94
    Feb 10, 2018
    7
    Es una buena serie pero hay algunos fallos en la trama en los que pierden tensión por X o por Y, también cojea un poco la historia interior del personaje principal porque no sabes de qué trata hasta bien entrada la serie. Un final MEH si lo dejan así y un final medio bueno si la serie continua. Recomendable si te gustan las series de acción con ese toque cyberpunk.
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Awards & Rankings

2
#2 Most Discussed TV Season of 2018
30
#30 Most Shared TV Season of 2018

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. The Detroit News
    Reviewed by: Adam Graham
    Mar 1, 2018
    50
    Big issues of body, mind, identity and technology shuffle around the Altered Carbon universe, but the show often drags its feet in order to fill its individual episodes’ running times.
    Read full review
  2. Vox.com
    Reviewed by: Emily VanDerWerff
    Feb 5, 2018
    80
    For a series that makes a lot of basic storytelling stumbles and often seems to feature characters who can only speak in exposition, Altered Carbon’s first season is surprisingly gripping, especially in its superior back half. This is probably the best first season of a Netflix drama since The Crown’s first year dropped in late 2016.
    Read full review
  3. The Atlantic
    Reviewed by: Sophie Gilbert
    Feb 5, 2018
    50
    Altered Carbon is so busy trying to wow viewers by constantly one-upping the imagery and the intensity that it barely pauses to consider its story. The writing is also distinctly clunky: a hodgepodge of vacant platitudes and canned spirituality.
    Read full review
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