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. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Rob Brunner
    Jan 3, 2013
    83
    Despite the somewhat strained setup, Banshee is a kick: ultraviolent, over-the-top, and wickedly fun. [11 Jan 2013, p.80]
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  2. Wall Street Journal
    Reviewed by: Dorothy Rabinowitz
    Jan 10, 2013
    80
    Its smartness comes shining through despite the claptrap (none worse than the parade of sex scenes, soft-porn variety, whose noisiness is exceeded only by their unconvincingness); its story, littered with intriguingly repellent characters, like Kai Proctor (Ulrich Thomsen), local evil tycoon, grows ever more enticing.
  3. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    Jan 10, 2013
    80
    It's the characters of Banshee and their labyrinth of relationships that make the show an engrossing, entertaining portrait of a fictional small town.
  5. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: David Wiegand
    Jan 11, 2013
    75
    It has a solid pedigree. It's also part of Cinemax's effort to expand its original programming. That effort pays off with Banshee.
  6. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Linda Stasi
    Jan 10, 2013
    75
    It's all much better than it sounds, and more importantly, like "Strike Back," is written better than you'd expect.
  7. The Huffington Post
    Reviewed by: Maureen Ryan
    Jan 11, 2013
    70
    It does what it sets out to do reasonably well without breaking my brain in the process.
  8. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Matthew Gilbert
    Jan 10, 2013
    70
    The show doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is--a violent, sexy, somewhat cheesy, but generally entertaining genre drama--and that makes it easier to like.
  9. Miami Herald
    Reviewed by: Glenn Garvin
    Jan 10, 2013
    70
    Like True Blood, Banshee can be preposterously entertaining, or perhaps entertainingly preposterous.
  10. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Tim Goodman
    Jan 9, 2013
    70
    Yes, it can often sound like a pulp setup bound to go sideways, but Banshee ends up being taut, entertaining and smart enough, and you won't completely turn your brain off.

Awards & Rankings

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

User Reviews

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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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