Altered Carbon
Netflix | Release Date: February 2, 2018
6.9
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 128 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
77
Mixed:
30
Negative:
21
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
9
BengalsfanAZMar 19, 2020
I have watched both seasons several times and absolutely love it. I must admit that I was not sold until I was a few episodes in, but I got completely hooked on the dystopian worlds and amazing visuals. In the first season, Joel Kinnaman isI have watched both seasons several times and absolutely love it. I must admit that I was not sold until I was a few episodes in, but I got completely hooked on the dystopian worlds and amazing visuals. In the first season, Joel Kinnaman is amazing. It took some time for me to grasp the complicated story and what was going on. There are a lot of technical and psychological references that are beyond me! I still really enjoyed the series and wanted to see more. When season 2 came out I was skeptical. I watched the whole season and now I crave even more. Bottom line is, if you like dystopian, futuristic sci-fi with heavy action, you will love this series. In my opinion, it's like a Blade Runner series set many years in the future with better effects.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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7
ixdudeMar 8, 2020
It's really nice sci-fi TV show, however they have changed the tone of second season. Is less darker and less focused on main story. Also, Netflix had to added a lot of PC tones, which adds nothing to the story, but slow downs the pace. IIt's really nice sci-fi TV show, however they have changed the tone of second season. Is less darker and less focused on main story. Also, Netflix had to added a lot of PC tones, which adds nothing to the story, but slow downs the pace. I liked cast of Season 1 better.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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7
YsegrimSep 6, 2022
S1 is one of the best, if not the best series of all the Netflix originals, the actors and producers packaged and delivered a great story well. The second season on the other hand is just cheap and it's a pain to see so much potential wasted.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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7
ComandanteCobraMar 4, 2020
Season one: Very good, hard sci-fi, a little old school (in a good cyber-punk way). Season Two: Not good. Dull. Only pew pew pew and bad ones too. Sadly.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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10
jugadorhardcoreJul 14, 2019
I wonder which scifi and cyberpunk series the press considerate better than altered carbon, since they put a 6. In it genre is the best ever!
1 of 3 users found this helpful12
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10
NthyMar 1, 2020
Perfection, there aren't any shows like it. Is like blade runner mixed with a little cloud atlas.
0 of 2 users found this helpful02
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10
HellipopJun 5, 2019
Amazing!!! Amazing!!! Amazing!!! Amazing!!!! Amazing !!! Amazing !!! Amazing!!! Amazing !!!
0 of 3 users found this helpful03
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8
BgmanFeb 28, 2020
Finally a deeper look into this Cyberpunk like future. Hood action and intelligent villains makes the story better than most recent sci-fi. Anthony does a great job in the role as well.
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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10
AEnima202Mar 2, 2020
Even better watching it the second time through! Great action, effects are best watched at night on a big screen. Enjoy!
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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8
truerockAug 26, 2020
Update:
I've been reading reviews of season 2 and I've reevaluated the cause of the series demise. I was wrong to think it was too expensive... and yes, maybe it was too complicated for the average viewer...
The problem was Anthony MackieUpdate:
I've been reading reviews of season 2 and I've reevaluated the cause of the series demise. I was wrong to think it was too expensive... and yes, maybe it was too complicated for the average viewer...
The problem was Anthony Mackie playing the role of mercenary Takeshi Kovacs. It did not work. This is not so much a knock against Anthony Mackie as realizing the difficulty of casting, writing and acting a lead role.
All the elements came together when Joel Kinnaman played the role of mercenary Takeshi Kovacs. This should be a warning to producers...
If you are fortunate to find an actor/writer combination for role that woks well, do not mess with it. You are unlikely to get lucky twice.


*************************************************************
I had to watch the first season for a second time to fully understand and appreciate the story line. Amazing production value that must have cost Netflix a fortune. I don't think there is anyway a series this complex can continue to fit into a Netflix budget.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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8
PlacidDragonMar 3, 2020
The problem with writing a review for Altered Carbon is that Season 1 and Season 2 are two different shows.

Season 1 is gritty, very well acted, and has a compelling story (it gets muddled towards the end). Overall very enjoyable, and i'dThe problem with writing a review for Altered Carbon is that Season 1 and Season 2 are two different shows.

Season 1 is gritty, very well acted, and has a compelling story (it gets muddled towards the end). Overall very enjoyable, and i'd give that 9/10.

Season 2 is....the polar opposite.. bad acting, except for the actors it brings with it from Season 1, the sets look like sets with 20 extras, not something "real". This is entirely the wrong role for Anthony Mackie, he is terribly miscast. The story is simple enough, but dialogue has gotten simplistic, gone is all nuance of the world. Gone are the complex characters of season 1, its become inhabited by cartoon villains and soap quality actors. In short, its downright terrible.. if i am VERY kind, and try to have the good season 1 in mind, i'd give it a 3/10.. and that is probably being too generous..

I rated the series as a whole as 8, on the strength of its debut season...… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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9
OlrikusJun 1, 2020
-- NO SPOILERS REVIEW --
It is easy to understand why people are so conflicted in their opinions about the show - season 1 and 2 are completely different in tone, style and actors.
I personally like both, but I completely understand why-- NO SPOILERS REVIEW --
It is easy to understand why people are so conflicted in their opinions about the show - season 1 and 2 are completely different in tone, style and actors.
I personally like both, but I completely understand why people who were hooked up by the first season were utterly disappointed in the second one.

The first one while flawed was really brought to life by actors and had very good action scenes and provocative themes of Cyberpunk-Noir mix. I would give it 7/10 or even 8/10 if you agree to forgive pacing issues of the second half of the season and some presentation issues.

Second season for me has more focused and less broad, completely different genre (Sci/Fi drama) and unfortunately with just okayish action scenes (my biggest complaint for the second season). It is also important to understand that season 2 starts after 30 years after season 1 and at that time main character is almost completely burned up and this is the main reason why second season is so different in tone and character but I would give it 9/10 without any hesitation IF you are okay with changed actors and theme.

I hope this show would get its 3rd season and show makers would understand that changing actors might work for then, but changing genres each season is a risky road and will divide most of the fans who might not have broad genre interests.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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10
Jeebus117Jan 25, 2021
Soooooo sad to see this one go. Season 2 was very good. Season 1 was an absolute masterpiece. The depth. The tones. The futuristic grit. Mixing the familiar with the non. Using sci-fi elements to comment on today's issues. Around episode 3, ISoooooo sad to see this one go. Season 2 was very good. Season 1 was an absolute masterpiece. The depth. The tones. The futuristic grit. Mixing the familiar with the non. Using sci-fi elements to comment on today's issues. Around episode 3, I knew this show was meant for me.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
arostislavnaNov 30, 2021
Season one is incredible, season two not so much until it wraps up.

Tries real hard to tell a futuristic story about what Imperial America has done to the Indigenous (and the Japanese, Vietnamese, Russians, Bikini Atoll, etc.) I wouldSeason one is incredible, season two not so much until it wraps up.

Tries real hard to tell a futuristic story about what Imperial America has done to the Indigenous (and the Japanese, Vietnamese, Russians, Bikini Atoll, etc.)

I would hardly call it "woke". It tells a story of rebellion against the imperial empire.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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10
Hope101Jun 30, 2020
Amazing TV series, brilliant storyline and presentation, excellent actors and even better thrilling effect. My all time sci-fi series! Just perfect!!
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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9
teddymikkiJul 9, 2020
Season 1. Simply awesome. A huge world, brutal and full of violence. Interesting story line and the main idea of it. Now i want to read the books.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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9
SebaRandJan 14, 2021
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Good story, its season 1 is splendid but in season 2 it decayed a bit with that change of main character but hey, we will have to wait what happens and if there is a 3 season or not… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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9
RipslashJan 6, 2023
Season 1 is a 10/10 no doubt. Season 2 was still excellent, just a little more contrived.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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9
lavalukeJun 6, 2023
Rating only the first season. Could not get past the second episode of the second season, was much more boring.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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