Freud

:

Season 1
  • Network: Netflix
  • Series Premiere Date: Mar 23, 2020
Metascore
52

Mixed or average reviews - based on 4 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
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Critic Reviews

  1. The Daily Beast
    Reviewed by: Nick Schager
    Mar 23, 2020
    70
    It’s neither scientifically accurate nor remotely believable, but it is an entertainingly gonzo saga of suspense and intrigue—regardless of what Freud might say about viewers’ desire for such trashy stuff.
  2. Decider
    Reviewed by: Joel Keller
    Mar 23, 2020
    60
    The first episode of Freud is a bit confusing, but if you put the real Sigmund Freud out of your mind, you should be able to buckle in and enjoy the ride on this psychological thriller.
  3. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Danette Chavez
    Mar 20, 2020
    42
    The season midpoint does little to clarify the medical cases from the murder mysteries and political intrigue, and confusion reigns over the ending. Even the question of Freud’s capabilities as a psychiatrist/psychoanalyst remains unresolved. You could argue that the series offers subtle commentary on the elevation of mediocre men to mythical status, but sometimes, a poorly executed vision is just a poorly executed vision.
  5. The Guardian
    Reviewed by: Adrian Horton
    Mar 23, 2020
    40
    The main show is the slurp of creepy, disturbing manifestations of repressed psyches coalescing into, by the later episodes, a nonsensical yet amusing horror show.

User Reviews

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User Score
5.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 10 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 10
  3. Negative: 4 out of 10
  1. Dzimas
    Apr 16, 2020
    8
    I have to say I'm a bit bemused by the bad reviews. I suppose those were from viewers and critics who were expecting to see a biopic on youngI have to say I'm a bit bemused by the bad reviews. I suppose those were from viewers and critics who were expecting to see a biopic on young Dr. Freud. This is more like Penny Dreadful set in Vienna, and is quite effective if you are into that sort of thing.

    It's not so much about Freud, as it is about his ideas concerning the subconscious mind, and how hypnosis can be used to expose and cure these dark demons. It doesn't go way out on a limb like PD. It stays within the realm of the somewhat plausible, drifting between mysticism and psychoanalysis. Freud uses a haunted house analogy full of dark corridors and doors into secret rooms, which fits well with this sort of Gothic tale.

    The story is set in 1886, precluding the age of modern medical science. It also provided an interesting historical context in the schism between Austria and Hungary, which were used to represent modern vs. archaic beliefs. Yes, young Dr. Freud comes to rely a little too much on his vials of cocaine, but it probably wasn't that unusual for the time. After all, many of our leading lights of that era liked to frequent opium dens.

    I liked the story primarily because it kept you in suspense almost entirely throughout. It was easy enough to figure out what was going on but to what ends all this potent mind control would take remained in limbo through most of the episodes. These seemingly innocent seances became far more dastardly through the course of the 8-part series.

    Acting was excellent. The police inspector and Freud's maid often stole the show, but I thought Robert Finster and Ella Rumpf were both excellent in the lead roles. They reminded me a little bit of Timothy Dalton and Eva Green in Penny Dreadful. The creators made no pretense of presenting an historical account, This is something along the lines of 19th century tabloids and should be viewed as such.    … Full Review »
  2. glomman
    Sep 18, 2020
    5
    Honestly the series itself starts off pretty good, but for the love of god, I absolutely hate the character of Fleur Salome and the wholeHonestly the series itself starts off pretty good, but for the love of god, I absolutely hate the character of Fleur Salome and the whole Szapary conspiracy plot in general. It feels like this series was written by that one horse girl in school who only read Warrior Cats and now watches documentaries about serial killers, Jesus. It's not a biopic, it's a deranged charade with a boring and oftentimes infuriating story.
    There is a light in the dark though, the actor of Freud himself and his assistant, aswell as the inspector carry the entire show, if they concentrated more on the life of Freud in the Asylum, this would have been a good, if not great first season.    … Full Review »
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