Banshee

:

Season 1
  • Network: Cinemax
  • Series Premiere Date: Jan 11, 2013
Season #: 4, 3, 2, 1
Metascore
62

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
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Critic Reviews

  1. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: Matt Zoller Seitz
    Jan 11, 2013
    60
    While it's emphatically not a great show, it is an overheated yet intriguing one, driven more by visuals than words--and if you don't mind that its gory action and soap-opera plots aren't yet matched by dialogue and performance, it's worth a look.
  2. TV Guide Magazine
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    Jan 11, 2013
    60
    Banshee is a mangy mutt of a TV show and doesn't care if you know it.
  3. Boston Herald
    Reviewed by: Mark A. Perigard
    Jan 11, 2013
    58
    A slow-pokey drama punctuated by shocking violence and sex.
  5. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Mary McNamara
    Jan 11, 2013
    50
    Banshee has has elements of "Justified," "Big Love," Ball's "True Blood" and, of course, the film "Witness." What it doesn't have, at least in the first two episodes, is anything new to say, about small towns, power, corruption, fear, crime or love.
  6. Time
    Reviewed by: James Poniewozik
    Jan 11, 2013
    50
    Banshee's not a terrible show. At times it can be entertaining. But at best it's terribly, entertainingly superfluous.
  7. Variety
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    Jan 11, 2013
    50
    The show has some unorthodox elements, but feels fairly cliched in most of its beats, largely serving as an excuse for bouts of grisly violence and gratuitous sex.
  8. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Mike Hale
    Jan 10, 2013
    50
    What looks like a flat noir thriller could still make for a pretty entertaining police procedural.
  9. Slant Magazine
    Reviewed by: Mike Lechevallier
    Jan 9, 2013
    50
    Neither a clear message nor steady mood can be properly discerned amid the taxing commotion.
  10. Newsday
    Reviewed by: Verne Gay
    Jan 8, 2013
    50
    Banshee is baloney, but viewed as pure camp, there are some good action sequences and amusing moments.
  11. Uncle Barky
    Reviewed by: Ed Bark
    Jan 9, 2013
    42
    Its overall implausibility and everything-but-the-kitchen-sink plotting work against what little promise Banshee has.
  12. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Hank Stuever
    Jan 10, 2013
    40
    Banshee has the audacity to behave as though its bloody violence, implausible set-up and studied ugliness is somehow vanguard television. In fact, it's just more of the same.

Awards & Rankings

26
#26 Most Discussed TV Season of 2013
21
#21 Most Shared TV Season of 2013

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 316 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 289 out of 316
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 316
  3. Negative: 9 out of 316
  1. tbux
    Mar 1, 2013
    10
    This show is easily the best shock in three years. The episode that just premiered gives the famous Game of Thrones episode, "The Battle ofThis show is easily the best shock in three years. The episode that just premiered gives the famous Game of Thrones episode, "The Battle of Black Water," a run for its money. Ulrich Thomsen portrays Kai Proctor in what is some of the best acting I have seen in recent memory. I have never seen so many amazing plot twists before and look forward to watching the rest of this season and season 2. I suggest anyone that likes bloody action scenes to watch every episode immediately.… Full Review »
  2. theahsanhaseeb
    Jan 13, 2013
    8
    Banshee can become a great series in coming days if dealt with properly, it has the charm, it has believable characters, and above all theBanshee can become a great series in coming days if dealt with properly, it has the charm, it has believable characters, and above all the premise has so much potential. All it needs is great writing and its wonderful execution. As most of the reviewers say that this show is not for sissies which is totally true. The right amount of violence, direction, acting and writing can make it brilliant. Let's see how it works out in future.… Full Review »
  3. StevenLane
    Feb 22, 2014
    10
    Awesome action like you've never seen before: thumping fighting scenes, explosions galore, a spartacus like head chop-off. This show hasAwesome action like you've never seen before: thumping fighting scenes, explosions galore, a spartacus like head chop-off. This show has action, sex and great story line. This is the best show on TV today. 10/10!… Full Review »
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