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Based on a True Story

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 27 Critic Reviews

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59

USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 5 Ratings

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8.6

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8.6	Your Score
8.6	User Score Universal acclaim based on 5 Ratings

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Based on a True Story

Series Details & Credits

Peacock | Release Date: June 8, 2023

Summary: Realtor Ava Bartlett (Kaley Cuoco), her ex-tennis star husband (Chris Messina) and a plumber take advantage of people's obsession with true crime in this dark comedy thriller created by Craig Rosenberg.

Genre(s): Comedy, Drama, Suspense

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Recent Episodes

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Metascore

59

Positive:

13

Mixed:

12

Negative:

2

Critic Reviews

84

Paste Magazine

Anna Govert

Jun 6, 2023

Season 1 Review: It’s brutal, it’s hilarious, and it’s so well done. In a June stacked with returning series premieres, Based on a True Story is a new show absolutely worth latching onto. Read full review

80

TV Guide Magazine Matt Roush

Jun 9, 2023

Season 1 Review: A grisly good time had by all. [12 Jun - 2 Jul 2023, p.6]

75

San Francisco Chronicle

Bob Strauss

Jun 6, 2023

Season 1 Review: Breezy, sex-obsessed and pleasingly perverse, “Based on a True Story” is the satire the true crime media business deserves. Read full review

60

The Guardian Benjamin Lee

Jun 8, 2023

Season 1 Review: With credulity crumbling by the end of eight mostly enjoyable, if increasingly ludicrous, episodes, Based on a True Story might not have enough blood to pump through another season (even if a cliffhanger ending suggests that it will happen anyway), but murder fans should find enough here to chew on. Read full review

60

Decider

Joel Keller

Nov 21, 2024

Season 2 Review: While we still like seeing Cuoco and the rest of the cast of Based On A True Story, we’re still not buying that the Season 2 story will be as good as what we saw in Season 1. Read full review

50

Newsday

Verne Gay

Jun 6, 2023

Season 1 Review: The target is broad and easy to hit (others already have) except "Based on a True Story's'" aim is unsteady. The show would much rather be a comedy (also unsteady) or thriller (unsteadiest of all). At its best, this series features three seasoned and particularly appealing actors who know how to sell the premise — outlandish and as full of plot holes as this one is. But at its worst — far worse — is a recurrent pattern of violence against women. Read full review

30

Wall Street Journal

John Anderson

Jun 7, 2023

Season 1 Review: The series has proved itself incapable of reading the (living) room into which it has imposed itself, or of actually staying aboard the ethical tightrope it has strung across a murky basin of bad taste. Read full review

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8.6

Negative:

0

User Reviews

10

Dana_

Jun 27, 2023

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I really want a continuation of the series, it is impossible to tear myself away, the actors are chosen perfectly. Kaley Cuoco is incredible, I can't imagine anyone else in her role. A modern interesting series about how a couple who will soon have a child desperately tries to escape from the financial abyss and agrees to secretly host a podcast with a serial killer. And so, they are finally becoming popular, but they do not yet know where it will lead them soon. Definitely worth watching!… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

10

TalkTeaV

Jun 10, 2023

From the brutal start that felt like it was paying homage to Drew Barrymore's iconic murder scene in 'Scream' to the shocking moments that followed, each episode held my attention. Kaley Cuoco and Chris Messina deliver magnetic performances, making their characters relatable and engaging.From the brutal start that felt like it was paying homage to Drew Barrymore's iconic murder scene in 'Scream' to the shocking moments that followed, each episode held my attention. Kaley Cuoco and Chris Messina deliver magnetic performances, making their characters relatable and engaging. Tom Bateman's portrayal of the very scary Matt Pierce brings a chilling authenticity to the role of a serial killer. The Peacock series pokes fun at society's obsession with murder, satirizing our fascination with serial killers and true crime podcasts. After the first episode, I couldn't resist binge-watching the rest. The fast-paced events and gripping plot kept me on the edge of my seat. Each episode flew by in minutes, enhanced by a fun soundtrack that heightened the chaotic atmosphere of the show.

It's a must-watch for fans of dark comedies and true crime podcasts. With its blend of lighthearted drama, and intense moments, it satisfies cravings for captivating storytelling. Cuoco, Messina, and Bateman deliver standout performances, creating characters that were relatable, engaging, and endearing.

Damian At
TalkTeaV… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

8

joeyj

Jun 21, 2023

It's funny, and both leads play their characters straight enough that you'll buy into their lives. The premise is beyond ridiculous, so the script strains hard to get you to suspend disbelief. Still, well worth a watch.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

6

TVJerry

Jun 17, 2023

A married couple (Kaley Cuoco & Chris Messina) decides to jump on the true crime bandwagon by creating their own podcast. Things get interesting when they meet an actual serial killer (Tom Bateman) who decides to team up with them. This combo comedy/thriller mostly works, but like so manyA married couple (Kaley Cuoco & Chris Messina) decides to jump on the true crime bandwagon by creating their own podcast. Things get interesting when they meet an actual serial killer (Tom Bateman) who decides to team up with them. This combo comedy/thriller mostly works, but like so many series now, it could have been shorter. If you wade thru the wasted scenes in the early eps, there are surprises and shocks to entertain. Cuoco always tries too hard to be funny, so she never works for me, but there are sufficient situations and other characters who add to the humor. The series has its flaws and takes a while to take off, but once it gets rolling the dark comic elements and shocking surprises manage to ultimately payoff. (It ends with a cliffhanger, signaling a 2nd season).… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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Seasons & Episodes

59

Series Overview
Season 2

tbd
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: November 21, 2024
- No episode information is currently available for this season
Season 1

59
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: June 8, 2023