Chernobyl

:

Season 1
  • Network: HBO
  • Series Premiere Date: May 6, 2019
User Score
9.0

Universal acclaim- based on 402 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 371 out of 402
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 402
  3. Negative: 22 out of 402
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  1. Black-Templar
    May 19, 2019
    10
    Ok, forget about that sh**ty a** season 8 of Game of Thrones.

    This is the season of 2019.

    Johan Renck should have been appointed director of GoT S8 and Craig Mazin should have written it.
  2. Skeletor71
    May 22, 2019
    10
    I don't see how this show could have been any better. I especially love the eighties sovjet atmosphere. The only thing I don't like is that I have to wait a week for the next one. And that it's a mini-series.
  3. Websevee
    May 21, 2019
    10
    Очень понравился сериал. Правдоподобный, увлекательный, поучительный и пугающий
  4. kwjduff
    May 23, 2019
    10
    Immensely atmospheric, great characters, brilliant score and a fast pace create a thoroughly intriguing and unsettling retelling of a horrifying event in our history.
  5. Pringles_Stalin
    Jun 3, 2019
    10
    I'm from Russia. The film is believable, and all events are transmitted realistically. I recommend it to everyone. It is a masterpiece.
  6. Acrofilo
    Jun 19, 2019
    10
    I'm truly shocked that the critics don't average over 95. This miniseries is moving, powerful and interesting. So beautifully told, well acted, a truly visual experience. Nobody should miss it.
  7. Aryjunior
    May 18, 2019
    10
    Great TV show, I am not been so impressed since breaking bad for a TV serie
  8. Idiota150
    Jun 4, 2019
    10
    Don't miss this - absolutely brilliant. Every aspect of this mini-series is just stunning - acting, photo, authenticity. Entertaining and horrifying at the same time. If you're smart enough, you'll learn something too ... don't cheat and lie.
  9. MediaMan
    May 7, 2019
    10
    This was a great start, i was worried they would censor or leave out disturbing facts of this catastrophic incident. More specifically the shady politics that came with the USSR at the time, how crazy communist governments become and inherently are. I do wish it was Russian actors with subtitles to be as authentic as possible, but the visuals are unimaginable and they definitely dove intoThis was a great start, i was worried they would censor or leave out disturbing facts of this catastrophic incident. More specifically the shady politics that came with the USSR at the time, how crazy communist governments become and inherently are. I do wish it was Russian actors with subtitles to be as authentic as possible, but the visuals are unimaginable and they definitely dove into the realities of what it must have even looked like. Places that only so many people witnessed before their demise such as peering into the core. Absolutely fascinating and it plays out like a horror program, only it is real, all to real. You didn't want to be on the bottom end of the communist totem pole as a soldier, first responder, scientist, or politician when this situation happened. So many lives ruined. I'm looking forward to how the show unfolds and depicts the event many already know or have studied, but as it looks right now they aren't holding anything back.… Expand
  10. Wolfenstein51
    May 7, 2019
    10
    Very compelling television. This story will induce rage among viewers on how the Russian government was more concerned about their politics than the safety of their people. Can't wait for episode 2.
  11. Broyax
    Aug 9, 2019
    10
    Après avoir vu cette série, on se sent regonflé à bloc comme un écolo barbu binoclard avec les pancartes "non au nucléaire"... on en ressort en effet horrifié, consterné, sidéré. En même temps, une telle catastrophe est dûe à de multiples causes -très bien expliquées dans la série- non liées directement à l'énergie de l'atome.

    Une énergie, précisons-le d'ailleurs pour nos écolos,    Après avoir vu cette série, on se sent regonflé à bloc comme un écolo barbu binoclard avec les pancartes "non au nucléaire"... on en ressort en effet horrifié, consterné, sidéré. En même temps, une telle catastrophe est dûe à de multiples causes -très bien expliquées dans la série- non liées directement à l'énergie de l'atome.

    Une énergie, précisons-le d'ailleurs pour nos écolos, "propre" entre guillemets : elle ne dégage pas le vilain, le très vilain CO2, ni de fumées polluantes et ne sent pas mauvais comme le biogaz... et en plus, elle fournit une électricité vraiment bon marché. Bref, elle assure un avenir radieux !

    C'est juste que confiée à des enfoirnazes de communistes, ça peut pèter méchamment... et encore... -comme on s'en rend compte ici- le pire a en fait été évité ! Grâce au courage des Russes et à leurs nombreux sacrifices, malgré le poids écrasant de la bureaucratie des Soviets et la Guerre Froide qui n'était pas encore terminée...

    Bien documentée en tout cas mais pas documentaire pour autant, d'une densité bienvenue (seulement cinq épisodes d'une heure), Chernobyl ne sombre jamais dans le pathos ou le violoneux mais se cantonne aux faits et -mon dieu- les faits parlent d'eux-mêmes... Les acteurs sont tous excellents avec notamment un Stellan Skarsgard impeccable, le seul connu du lot d'ailleurs.

    La reconstitution des évènements s'avère rigoureuse et toujours très claire et l'ensemble se révèle finalement aussi effrayant que poignant. Et terrifiant. En France, très éloigné de tout cela, on a pas mesuré l'ampleur de ce cataclysme ; on en mesure toute l'ampleur à travers cette série et accessoirement la faillite d'un système sclérosé, bouffé de l'intérieur, celui de l'Union Soviétique corrompue et à bout de souffle.

    Une grande, très grande série superbement réalisée, sobre, authentique et touchante.    … Expand
  12. Goupil
    Jun 4, 2019
    10
    I'm not used to rate 10 because I think that there is always something that could be better but Chernobyl was just...wow, terrifying, brain-blowing. I think everyone should watch it to understand the cost of lies...
  13. Big1
    May 9, 2019
    10
    This show is absolutely captivating. After only 1 episode you can already feel the hopelessness from the event. This is already panning to be one of my favorite limited series from HBO.
  14. JPK
    Jun 13, 2019
    10
    A Complete And Utter Masterpiece
    Chernobyl is a horrifying and accurate account of that tragic day under the oppression of the communist regime.
  15. Dubeau
    Feb 27, 2022
    10
    Amazing recreation of this real disaster. The story is made to follow those who have made sacrifices. Maybe the invention of Khomyuk is taking liberties, but you do feel it brings more focus. I felt like it brought some lights on the events. The acting is quite amazing with a great cast. And also, how the story starts and end was a smart choice. I give it a 98%. We probably gets the storyAmazing recreation of this real disaster. The story is made to follow those who have made sacrifices. Maybe the invention of Khomyuk is taking liberties, but you do feel it brings more focus. I felt like it brought some lights on the events. The acting is quite amazing with a great cast. And also, how the story starts and end was a smart choice. I give it a 98%. We probably gets the story of Fukushima Daiichi reactor one day. Still ongoing.… Expand
  16. andy24king24
    May 7, 2019
    10
    Absolutely brilliant this new series showcasing incredible talent telling us the story behind one of the worst nuclear disasters in history. Very haunting, incredibly powerful, shocking but outstanding. Episode one only.
  17. WalterJohsnon
    May 26, 2019
    10
    The Writing, Set Design, Music, Acting, and Cinematography for this miniseries is absolutely exceptional. The Cinematography is probably some of the best of any TV show ever, and Every episode so far has you in suspense for what will happen next.
  18. Hemphiz1
    Jul 11, 2019
    10
    Never have I watched anything that's made me mentally feel anything... But this show, I can't even put it into words other than it made me feel "weird" it was absolutely immense in every way
  19. hitzestau
    Jun 8, 2019
    10
    Gripping, disturbing, extremely well done... the show maintains a good balance between the human drama and the retelling of the events of the disaster. It's almost unimaginable with how much naivety people reacted to the explosion at the beginning. But the show also manages to portray the Soviet system of lies, fear and deliberately leaving the people in the dark as one of the mainGripping, disturbing, extremely well done... the show maintains a good balance between the human drama and the retelling of the events of the disaster. It's almost unimaginable with how much naivety people reacted to the explosion at the beginning. But the show also manages to portray the Soviet system of lies, fear and deliberately leaving the people in the dark as one of the main culprits. The production design and the choice of locations creates an extremely authentic look of the time. The series offers a glimpse into the abyss of hell and won't let you go until you've seen all the episodes.… Expand
  20. Ben37
    Jun 5, 2019
    10
    A truly great mini series. Suspenseful and moving this mini series is a perfect binge watch.
  21. Felindie
    Jul 16, 2019
    10
    A wonderful mini-series. The storyling was amazing, every detail was flawless.
  22. thelettere
    May 30, 2019
    10
    Scariest thing I've ever watched - it's riveting. There's not a single false note as we're guided through how the event was experienced by individuals in diverse roles - from first responding firefighters to nuclear scientists to politicians. The writing is strong, and the pacing is perfect - never too fast, never too slow - allowing the viewer to savor the moments and the full import ofScariest thing I've ever watched - it's riveting. There's not a single false note as we're guided through how the event was experienced by individuals in diverse roles - from first responding firefighters to nuclear scientists to politicians. The writing is strong, and the pacing is perfect - never too fast, never too slow - allowing the viewer to savor the moments and the full import of what is happening while retaining interest and slowly ratcheting up the full horror of the event as it unfolded. Makes me curious to find out more about the true story - which I will wait until the show has concluded to research.… Expand
  23. Joes
    May 16, 2019
    10
    Una gran serie que recrea bieo que pasó en Chernobyl.
    Altamente recomendada
  24. UncleWillard
    May 21, 2019
    10
    I was lucky enough to have visited the USSR twice before the wall came down, and Chernobyl captures that Soviet aesthetic to a tee. It's looming throughout the show as it was when I visited Romania and the Ukraine; ever-present and suffocating. I'm fascinated with every episode they release. There's just no wrong step here.
  25. upupandawayweb
    May 18, 2019
    10
    It's great. If you enjoy an excellent drama with an intense slow burn storytelling, but still interesting, you'll love it.
  26. Evkaxy
    May 16, 2019
    10
    The first episode was so good. There was a lot of attention put into making things look authentic. It is as bleak as you would expect USSR in mid 80s to be. Everything from camera filters, and lighting to costumes, interiors and hairstyles paint a very convincing picture. Radiation burns is not something that you can see on television every day and many of the scenes were truly shocking.The first episode was so good. There was a lot of attention put into making things look authentic. It is as bleak as you would expect USSR in mid 80s to be. Everything from camera filters, and lighting to costumes, interiors and hairstyles paint a very convincing picture. Radiation burns is not something that you can see on television every day and many of the scenes were truly shocking. It was like watching apocalyptic horror movie...except it wasn't a fiction… Expand
  27. Blade-Runner
    May 14, 2019
    10
    I didn't have much expectations from this, but it turns out it is absolutely and exceptionally powerful television, the cast is superb. It starts slowly, but by episode 2 things become so disturbingly real, I almost could feel my hair fall out from anxiety and the sheer horror of looking impending apocalypse and death in the eyes...
    (Europe as a whole dodged a bullet in 1986).
  28. dimchis3
    May 22, 2019
    10
    Боль и страдания! Только так можно выразить, происходящее на экране. Сериал держит зрителя в напряженности от первой секунды до последней. Создатели рассказывают истории людей, переживающих последствия данной катастрофы, и эти истории завораживают своей трагичностью и безумием. В определенные моменты становится страшно смотреть на экран, но от этого сериал не становится хуже. Он показываетБоль и страдания! Только так можно выразить, происходящее на экране. Сериал держит зрителя в напряженности от первой секунды до последней. Создатели рассказывают истории людей, переживающих последствия данной катастрофы, и эти истории завораживают своей трагичностью и безумием. В определенные моменты становится страшно смотреть на экран, но от этого сериал не становится хуже. Он показывает реальную историю без преувеличений и заставляет зрителя сопереживать героям. Низкий поклон создателям сериала за огромный труд, с помощью которого они отдают дань уважения всем людям, участвовавшим в ликвидации последствий катастрофы, а так же за то, что показали это людям, чтобы они не забывали и помнили, какую цену заплатили ликвидаторы за жизни нынешних и будущих поколений!… Expand
  29. AverageStudent
    May 25, 2019
    10
    Amazing series, truly gives a insight into the devastating and incredible sacrifices made by a small group of men to save millions of lives and thousands of acres of lands from death and devastation. Not a series for the faint of heart however the insight and realism shown are truly remarkable viewing giving the viewer a deep understanding of the event whilst also maintaining some creativeAmazing series, truly gives a insight into the devastating and incredible sacrifices made by a small group of men to save millions of lives and thousands of acres of lands from death and devastation. Not a series for the faint of heart however the insight and realism shown are truly remarkable viewing giving the viewer a deep understanding of the event whilst also maintaining some creative control due to the nature of it being a television show. A must watch for history fans, drama fans and anyone who just wants some education whilst watching a compelling drama alongside.… Expand
  30. Zavoloka
    May 25, 2019
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This has to be one of the few rare and perfect shows on TV!

    I'll give some brief examples that really made it stand out!

    1) Visually it is a masterpiece!
    2) That the characters are based on real people, especially the woman in the beginning whos husband was a firefighter. (She's based on the woman from the introduction to the book: voices of Chernobyl.)
    3) At the end of episode 2 when the men in the tunnels lights were going out due to radiation I almost lost my ****
    4) The music is simply powerful and mindblowing.
    5) The totality of it all! At the end of episode 3 when the cement is laying over the coffins of the firefighters, no human would not cry at that part.

    Conclusion! MUST. WATCH.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

33
#33 Best TV Season of 2019
14
#14 Most Discussed TV Season of 2019
71
#71 Most Shared TV Season of 2019

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. The Guardian
    Reviewed by: Lucy Mangan
    Dec 4, 2019
    60
    Things may improve over the coming weeks as the smoke clears, and I hope so. Chernobyl is a story that has everything, but at the moment, comrades, justice is not being done to it.
    Read full review
  2. TV Guide Magazine
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    May 9, 2019
    70
    The fact that it really happened--and, for all of its devastation, could have been worse--makes this five-part slog of unrelieved misery even more chilling. [13-26 May 2019, p.11]
  3. CNN
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    May 7, 2019
    90
    Spare, bleak and devastating.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »