Ballers (2015)
HBO | Release Date: June 21, 2015
CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
65
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 35 Critic Reviews
Positive:
20
Mixed:
15
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
91
Entertainment WeeklyKyle AndersonJun 15, 2015
Season 1 Review: Plenty of automotive and beachside real estate escapism, but underneath lurks a funny, fast-moving skewering of the same types of headline-grabbing controversies Roger Goodell would like you to forget. [19 Jun 2015, p.58] Read full review
83
Newark Star-LedgerVicki HymanJun 22, 2015
Season 1 Review: Johnson surprises with hints of vulnerability behind that mega-watt smile. The show is also very funny. Read full review
83
NewsdayVerne GayJun 19, 2015
Season 1 Review: The same strut and swagger is here, except Ballers feels smarter and more clear-eyed about the dangers of this culture, in ways "Entourage" never did. Read full review
83
Uncle BarkyEd BarkJun 18, 2015
Season 1 Review: In Ballers [Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson] brings it in full and then makes the sale. Read full review
80
Boston GlobeMatthew GilbertJun 19, 2015
Season 1 Review: Here, a strong cast and sharp writing prove to be a winning combination. Read full review
80
The OregonianKristi TurnquistJun 19, 2015
Season 1 Review: The good news is that Ballers has its own energy, humor and terrific performances, notably by Johnson. Read full review
80
Yahoo TVKen TuckerJun 19, 2015
Season 1 Review: Having watched three episodes, I’m hooked on its mix of laughs and seriousness. Read full review
80
The Hollywood ReporterKeith UhlichJun 10, 2015
Season 1 Review: Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson’s is magnetic as Spencer Strasmore.... That’s not to take anything away from the supporting players; if Johnson is the quarterback, they’re the necessary fullbacks, tackles and tight ends that make the team whole. Read full review
75
San Jose Mercury News/Contra Costa TimesChuck BarneyJul 12, 2016
Season 2 Review: [Ricky Jerret, played by John David Washington (Denzel Washington's son) is] the show's secret weapon--a handsome, energetic live-wire who expertly conveys the brash ego and subtle insecurities of a player whose career may be fading into the sunset at the age of 30. But make no mistake, this is Johnson's baby. With that all-glowing smile, he brings his A-game to Ballers while always managing to look good in a suit. Read full review
75
The Lincoln Journal StarJeff KorbelikJun 22, 2015
Season 1 Review: Johnson, in a non-action role for a change, is surprisingly good, offering up a multi-dimensional character. Read full review
75
IndieWireBen TraversJun 18, 2015
Season 1 Review: The pace is steady. The characters feel authentic. And The Rock carries the rest with an addictive swagger and occasional intimacy. Read full review
75
San Francisco ChronicleDavid WiegandJun 18, 2015
Season 1 Review: The show is nicely packaged and every performance is a knockout, including Troy Garity as Jason, Spencer’s former agent who still makes dreams real for current NFL players. In another context, he’d be named Mephistopheles. Read full review
75
USA TodayRobert BiancoJun 18, 2015
Season 1 Review: Ballers and The Brink aren't at that level [of Veep and Silicon Valley] just yet, both show promise--and both are welcome summer additions. Read full review
70
The Hollywood ReporterKeith UhlichJul 15, 2016
Season 2 Review: There are some genuine glimmers of human insight and deep-felt emotion amid the pigskin-tossing carnival. John David Washington continues to impress as Ricky Jerret. Read full review
70
Los Angeles TimesRobert LloydJul 5, 2015
Season 1 Review: Although it looks at first to be a sports-world "Entourage," a horrifying thought, it proceeds to reach for something better. Read full review
70
Pittsburgh Post-GazetteRob OwenJun 22, 2015
Season 1 Review: In its second half the Ballers pilot finds its footing and the show’s trajectory becomes clear, playing like an entertaining mix of HBO’s “Entourage” and “Arli$$” and Starz’s “Survivor’s Remorse.” Read full review
70
The WrapDiane GordonJun 22, 2015
Season 1 Review: Overall, Ballers is good bro-down TV in the same vein as “Entourage.” Dwayne Johnson does a solid job of leading the ensemble, and he’s totally believable as a guy who’s best buds with athletes. Read full review
70
Philadelphia InquirerMolly EichelJun 22, 2015
Season 1 Review: Like Entourage, it boasts an affable cast. Johnson is the real draw, able to flex dramatic muscles he's not often given the opportunity to use. Read full review
70
RogerEbert.comBrian TallericoJun 18, 2015
Season 1 Review: Ballers is imperfect, but Johnson carries it with the assistance of a strong supporting cast and rock-solid filmmaking. Read full review
63
Slant MagazineChuck BowenJun 16, 2015
Season 1 Review: Ballers sits right on the fence separating indulgent male fantasia from knowing spoof of the same, but it goes down surprisingly easy, considering the familiarity of its DNA. Read full review
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