Evil Genius

:

Season 1
  • Network: Netflix
  • Series Premiere Date: May 11, 2018
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 6 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6

Critic Reviews

  1. CNN
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    May 11, 2018
    80
    The full title is certainly a mouthful, but this is one of those docu-series that doesn't feel like it's laboring, or forcing the issue, to create compelling drama. And in a genre often steeped in hype, for once even the "diabolical" label doesn't feel like hyperbole.
  2. The Daily Beast
    Reviewed by: Nick Schager
    May 10, 2018
    80
    Family feuds and fractured relationships abound in Schroeder’s portrait, which she lays out lucidly and suspensefully, segueing between the feds’ investigation, the conflicting stories and confessions of her primary suspects, and the backstory particulars that shed light on the motivations--and culpability--of all involved.
  3. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Katie Rife
    May 11, 2018
    75
    In short, Evil Genius is the kind of documentary that lives and dies by its story. Luckily, it’s a compelling one.
  5. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Daniel Fienberg
    May 14, 2018
    70
    Borzillieri's commitment and the access he obtains make these episodes intense and uncomfortable, showcasing a parade of scuzzy and unreliable narrators. Borzillieri's crusading intensity is also the most frustrating part of Evil Genius, because it confuses the authorship and focus of the entire series.
  6. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    May 10, 2018
    65
    In Evil Genius, Mr. Borzillieri offers an attempt at an “ah-ha!” moment in the final episode. But the filmmakers’ thesis is not completely convincing. Other evidence presented in Evil Genius suggests a less clean cut, more nuanced scenario may be closer to the truth.
  7. RogerEbert.com
    Reviewed by: Nick Allen
    May 10, 2018
    40
    A dry, erratic recollection of events.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 30 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 30
  3. Negative: 1 out of 30
  1. EludiumQ36
    May 31, 2018
    4
    This is a 3-hr story over 4 episodes and you don't get all the answers, you don't get closure so this can't be a 9 or 10, it's a 7 at best. IThis is a 3-hr story over 4 episodes and you don't get all the answers, you don't get closure so this can't be a 9 or 10, it's a 7 at best. I give a 4 because with better editing this should've been a 1 hr event. There's WAY too much background about the players involved that really leads nowhere; they're basically white trash scum who lived in their own filth. Also WAY too much time spent on Marjorie and Bill leading police down rabbit holes, that could all just be summed up in a few minutes. It did once again show the public, though, how incompetent FBI and local police investigations can be and how white trash idiots still got away with murder! Two murders! They were only convicted of bank robbery and one prior-convict got full immunity! Pathetic, not the film's fault but this could've and should've been told within an hour's span. You just don't string people along for unsatisfying conclusions.… Full Review »
  2. JVolps16
    May 24, 2018
    6
    Documentary left a lot in the open at the end of the movie. Felt like documentary could have been 45-60 mins long. Not four 1 hour episodes. Just ok.
  3. YoureMrLebowski
    May 19, 2018
    10
    Wow. I’m not rushing to judgement but this could be... Love? Best storytelling ever? I’ve never felt this before. It’s really really good.
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