Damien

:

Season 1
Metascore
37

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 18
  3. Negative: 10 out of 18
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Critic Reviews

  1. Los Angeles Daily News
    Reviewed by: Rob Lowman
    Mar 7, 2016
    50
    Not bad if it’s your thing.
  2. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Mike Hale
    Mar 7, 2016
    50
    Damien the TV series is a fairly generic supernatural conspiracy thriller with elements of the police procedural, a well-populated genre.
  3. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Daniel Fienberg
    Mar 4, 2016
    50
    A&E's Damien joins the franchise, offering spooky and violent moments through its first five episodes, but struggling to find the narrative momentum necessary to work as an ongoing series.
  5. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    Mar 4, 2016
    50
    The pilot is relatively inert for a thriller as it pretty much tacks in all the expected directions.
  6. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: David Wiegand
    Mar 3, 2016
    50
    The early episodes are the most overly ripe. Eventually, we get used to the bad dialogue and unintentionally funny direction and performances and surrender to the fundamental mystery of who Damien is, not to mention the question of the real identities and purpose of various people around him.
  7. Variety
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    Mar 2, 2016
    50
    At its core, though, the show feels hollow, in part because of the waffling approach to its central character.... Taken strictly on its own terms, Damien is mildly fun through these episodes, its flaws notwithstanding.
  8. Yahoo TV
    Reviewed by: Ken Tucker
    Mar 7, 2016
    40
    Damien has moments of nicely spooky atmospherics, but it’s neither scary nor fun, and when you’re dealing with this topic and this character, you have to move in one of those two directions, or you’ll just lose the battle to the devil of tedium.
  9. TV Guide Magazine
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    Mar 3, 2016
    40
    Damien feels like dramatic purgatory. [7-10 Mar 2016, p.19]
    All this critic's reviews

Awards & Rankings

34
#34 Most Discussed TV Season of 2016
59
#59 Most Shared TV Season of 2016

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 120 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 83 out of 120
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 120
  3. Negative: 28 out of 120
  1. kissorkill
    Apr 15, 2016
    10
    DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND IGNORE THE REVIEWS OF THE PILOT.

    Isn't there fun in leaving the house and getting into the car, not quite knowing    DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND IGNORE THE REVIEWS OF THE PILOT.

    Isn't there fun in leaving the house and getting into the car, not quite knowing where you'll go?! It's like that with Damien. I agree about the lack of horror elements in the pilot, but every other episode is filled with spine tingling creepy moments. Oh yeah, there aren't tons and tons and tons of blood, because some people know how to deliver horror on a much higher level. It's also filled with twists and turns, unexpected things you surely haven't seen before. But judging a show/plotline by its pilot makes you miss all the fun. Personally I'm happy to see full character development instead if being confronted with an evil badass guy, not being able to understand his darkness. Episode 6 was absolutely brilliant, giving a lot of insight into Damien and his emotions.    … Full Review »
  2. Richard_Clarke
    Apr 5, 2016
    10
    Excellent series, One which over time will become darker and darker, This is one of those series that has huge promise. It needs time toExcellent series, One which over time will become darker and darker, This is one of those series that has huge promise. It needs time to build. As Damien comes to terms with who he is and his purpose, the Horror will truly emerge. Bradley James is brilliant in the lead role, and does a reasonable American accent.

    This show has huge potential, We just hope the network does not go ADD and cancel prematurely as this needs time to build.    … Full Review »
  3. jojojoss
    Apr 16, 2016
    10
    An amazing show with A LOT of stories to tell! Shame that so many based their opinions on the pilot, since the first episodes usually areAn amazing show with A LOT of stories to tell! Shame that so many based their opinions on the pilot, since the first episodes usually are there to introduce characters. Take your time and watch beyond the pilot because I can assure you - it only gets better and better!!… Full Review »
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