Carnival Row

:

Season 1
Season #: 2, 1
User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 72 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 50 out of 72
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 72
  3. Negative: 11 out of 72
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User Reviews

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  1. TwiTu
    Jan 5, 2020
    0
    If you havent grown up in the cold war and thus havent been taught in school how propaganda works and is produced, from Soviet and Nazi examples, this show will teach it to you. It cant possibly be more blatant.
    Teachers should use it as an example. Thats its only use.
    If I could, I would give it a -10.
  2. Stellen
    Apr 28, 2020
    1
    The political messaging is extreme, as is the virtue signalling. The casting is full of minority actors without explanation as to why a small country would have such a racial makeup, yet every character with a hint of negative traits attached to them must be white and overwhelmingly male. Almost all white humans are portrayed as cartoonish parody levels of evil, the one exception to thisThe political messaging is extreme, as is the virtue signalling. The casting is full of minority actors without explanation as to why a small country would have such a racial makeup, yet every character with a hint of negative traits attached to them must be white and overwhelmingly male. Almost all white humans are portrayed as cartoonish parody levels of evil, the one exception to this rule being eventually revealed as not being human afterall.

    If you're looking for a show which will preach hatred of white people and western culture while pushing woke pro-illegal immigration stories, this is for you. The Man in the High Castle, a show about actual Nazis, was far more nuanced and subtle in its political messaging than Carnival Row.    … Expand
  3. JonnyDean
    Oct 30, 2019
    2
    This could not keep my attention for any period of time. Waste of an interesting idea.
  4. AthanasiosT
    Sep 1, 2019
    2
    A very good production, sfx and steam punk atmosphere, doomed by an overdose of political correctness, cliche anti racism and feminist awareness. Orlando is a bit bored and that's exactly how I felt, after the first episode.
  5. Truejustice
    Sep 4, 2019
    2
    i have been waiting for this show for a loooong time damn i was so excited to see this... and now my disappointment is extreme. Damn this show...
    There are two main issues:
    1. story is just average, acting is mediocre and its all slow and somehow boring (thats the reason why reviewers dont like it mostly) 2. political correctness pandering is just too much in this show... its racial    i have been waiting for this show for a loooong time damn i was so excited to see this... and now my disappointment is extreme. Damn this show...
    There are two main issues:
    1. story is just average, acting is mediocre and its all slow and somehow boring (thats the reason why reviewers dont like it mostly)
    2. political correctness pandering is just too much in this show... its racial war, migration propaganda and crying over oppressions hide as fantasy tv show... and its so obvious. Its like someone took wet blanket of SJW nonsense and keep slamming you with it whole 8 episodes....
    I will give them that costumes, CGI and visuals are nice, its grimdark and theres a lots of sex (its on you if you like these things or not)...
    2/10 is the best i can give it    … Expand
  6. freshtalent
    Aug 31, 2019
    2
    Characters you can’t get behind. Bloom starts as flat and not multidimensional. Cara doesn’t show strong acting chops.
  7. user4msun
    Aug 30, 2019
    10
    Don't trust the critics,this series starts slow but after a couple episodes you will understand the pace,Orlando bloom has done a excellent job,production values exceed many big budget movies.overall this show is excellent, not like the critics say.give it a try,you wont be disappointed.
  8. wantedtolikebut
    Sep 5, 2019
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I tried again to watch this. I lowered my score. Scene 1: The faeries are running for their lives through the woods being chased by armed men who are firing on them and closing fast. The faeries have wings. They could fly away to safety. They do not. Apparently they prefer to get shot in the back. All except one who fights back, also confirming that the rest could fly away any time they chose to. The show appears more concerned with virtue signalling than clarity of storytelling. It's a mess.… Expand
  9. Lightning123
    Aug 30, 2019
    10
    mind blowing fantasy series,exceeded my expectations,vfx work is topnotch,lead actors performances is excellent.
  10. KickedByNoobs
    Sep 3, 2019
    10
    An amazing show about fascist, racism, and imperialism with a fantasy theme.
  11. fjoaoo
    Aug 30, 2019
    10
    Excellent show! Orlando killing it as usual. Feels like I'm waiting for the second season in decades lol
  12. Olira
    Aug 31, 2019
    8
    This show is actually really well done, although it does take time to get there. Like others have said it's a bit of a slow burn. They put the emphasis on world-building and it pays off at the end of season 1 leaving you eager for another. I do wish that anyone other than Cara was cast, she can't hold up with the other amazing actors in this show and Orlando Bloom deserved someone betterThis show is actually really well done, although it does take time to get there. Like others have said it's a bit of a slow burn. They put the emphasis on world-building and it pays off at the end of season 1 leaving you eager for another. I do wish that anyone other than Cara was cast, she can't hold up with the other amazing actors in this show and Orlando Bloom deserved someone better to have opposite him.

    Bloom is AMAZING in this show, he really shines and makes this show what it is. Is it heavy-handed on the racial tension and current state the world? Yes. Do the characters need more work? A bit yes. Is this an addicting show full of fantasy and intrigue? YES.

    To the person who clearly did NOT pay attention to the first episode and based their decision on this series on misinformation - in the first scene if you were to pay attention, you'd notice there was razor wire strung up in the trees, and MANY dead Fae stuck in it. They had no options to fly away until they made it out of the woods. It was a gruesome and great opening to this series. They also reference the slaughter later on mentioning the trap they set for them in the woods with the wire so they had to run and get shot in the back.

    Overall this is different than most shows out there, it gives you that great mix of fantasy, steampunk, magic, and more. It's worth watching and checking out, it does not knock your socks off, but is a fun long weekend binge. I think they will build on this show and only make it better.    … Expand
  13. catguy29
    Sep 1, 2019
    8
    okay so i started this show due to previews of it i have seen ive only seen the first episode but let me say that while its no game of thrones it seems very good a lot of action and adventure going on here there is also a lot o sex and swearing so watch out when watching it with young children but aside from that the show is very cleverly written and very good acting
  14. Nordic6lack
    Sep 5, 2019
    7
    The pacing and the world building is definitely interesting. If you're a fan of fantasy genre then it's a must watch
  15. Droopy1987
    Sep 14, 2019
    10
    Show may have had a rocky start, but it never lost my attention. Half way through the season I couldn't stop. Can't wait for season 2.
  16. JohnMCouch
    Oct 14, 2019
    10
    Really enjoyed this show. Glad to see something new come out. Good acting, good plot.
  17. Alathia
    Oct 15, 2019
    10
    Personally, I loved it! The mythology was great, like using the name Tirnanoc for a city, based on the old Irish myth or Tir na nOg. I thought it showed issues that have been in our past and still reflect today; that immigrants to our county being treated as less than human, because of their skin color or their language. Any lover of science fiction/ fantasy would like this series, imo
  18. 6PereiraNicolas
    Nov 17, 2019
    6
    Episódios muito longos e pouca resolução dos acontecimentos fazendo a season finale ser apressada e sem criatividade, Mas pelo menos deixa um ótimo solo para uma segunda temporada que promete bem mais.
  19. MrDobalina
    Aug 13, 2020
    10
    Took me awhile to actually get around to watching and I’m upset I waited so long. This show is fantastic!
  20. geewah
    Jan 13, 2021
    7
    A decent enough debut series that really focuses on world building and character development over what seems the second fiddle murder mystery.

Awards & Rankings

31
#31 Most Discussed TV Season of 2019

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
58

Mixed or average reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 22
  3. Negative: 1 out of 22
  1. The Independent
    Reviewed by: Ed Power
    Jan 3, 2020
    80
    The world Carnival Row creates is handsomely realised and sufficiently different from Game of Thrones, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings etc to feel like its own unique corner of the fantasy universe.
    Read full review
  2. The Telegraph
    Reviewed by: Amy Jones
    Jan 3, 2020
    60
    Carnival Row is not the next Game of Thrones, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t doing a good job of being its own thing entirely. If it could just take itself a little less seriously next series, please.
    Read full review
  3. The Guardian
    Reviewed by: Lucy Mangan
    Dec 4, 2019
    40
    Too crass to care about, too serious to take seriously. Still, for all that, it is a solidly crafted creation with only the set designers working even harder than the leads.
    Read full review
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