Godless

:

Season 1
  • Network: Netflix
  • Series Premiere Date: Nov 22, 2017
User Score
7.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 200 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 139 out of 200
  2. Mixed: 24 out of 200
  3. Negative: 37 out of 200

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User Reviews

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  1. Circe
    Dec 10, 2017
    9
    A solid classic Western with some twists. Great acting and beautiful cinematography, particularly the interplay of dark and light which highlights the main theme. People who thought it would be a "feminist Western" weren't paying attention to the trailer, which was 1/2 about the town full of women and 1/2 about the central conflict- which is pretty much how the series plays out. I did findA solid classic Western with some twists. Great acting and beautiful cinematography, particularly the interplay of dark and light which highlights the main theme. People who thought it would be a "feminist Western" weren't paying attention to the trailer, which was 1/2 about the town full of women and 1/2 about the central conflict- which is pretty much how the series plays out. I did find the ending somewhat rushed and disappointing, with some of the characters who had buildup being bumped off with little ceremony. I've seen criticism of the "Mormon villain," however Griffin is more a practicing atheist than Mormon. He teaches his boys that they act in the "absence of God," which is a theme he hits on to give the series its name. However, the series does touch on the dark side of Mormon settlement, with the Mountain Meadows Massacre and more subtly the treatment of Shoshone. All in all, even though there are western tropes here, the story is more complex than it may appear on the surface. Well worth a watch.… Expand
  2. BillJustBill
    Nov 26, 2017
    10
    Terrific show, great cast, great production values. Shows you what you can get with a truly fine writer, Scott Frank, who they had the show to and say you wrote it, so go ahead and make it the way you want to have it made. And then he does and it turns out terrific. Jeff Daniels has a wonderful juicy part and plays it to the hilt. Michelle Dockery is fine as is everyone else in the cast.Terrific show, great cast, great production values. Shows you what you can get with a truly fine writer, Scott Frank, who they had the show to and say you wrote it, so go ahead and make it the way you want to have it made. And then he does and it turns out terrific. Jeff Daniels has a wonderful juicy part and plays it to the hilt. Michelle Dockery is fine as is everyone else in the cast. It looks like they shot it on the Westworld set, but that's okay. This is traditional storytelling at its best, always interesting, revealing of character, and surprising. Netflix is pouring a ton of money into original programming, and they've hit a home run with Godless.… Expand
  3. lager96
    Dec 15, 2017
    9
    This series is filled with top notch writing and award worthy performances which makes Godless a fantastic western series. Not only is this a story of revenge, but a story of survival in the face of adversity. These two story lines are at their best when we get to know about the characters. There are parts of the show that fill in characters backgrounds to provide context for theirThis series is filled with top notch writing and award worthy performances which makes Godless a fantastic western series. Not only is this a story of revenge, but a story of survival in the face of adversity. These two story lines are at their best when we get to know about the characters. There are parts of the show that fill in characters backgrounds to provide context for their motivations. These can often take up a good majority of episodes benefiting the show when these two stories become linked. The middle can drag a little but the talented cast keep the series on track and help keep us invested in their story. Godless is one of the best shows of 2017, if not the best.… Expand
  4. earlsmet
    Nov 24, 2017
    10
    Watched it in 3 evenings. * * * * * Jeff Daniels stole the show. They used flashbacks brilliantly. The writers knew a lots about horses and what they were writing about. I'm 83 and I remember a bit about horses. As a young boy I learned that most cowboys broke wild horses. They had to get them ready to work fast, But we bred and raised our horses and I was taught "if you broke a horseWatched it in 3 evenings. * * * * * Jeff Daniels stole the show. They used flashbacks brilliantly. The writers knew a lots about horses and what they were writing about. I'm 83 and I remember a bit about horses. As a young boy I learned that most cowboys broke wild horses. They had to get them ready to work fast, But we bred and raised our horses and I was taught "if you broke a horse you would have a horse you could ride. If you tamed a horse you would have a friend you can ride" This seemed to be brought out in one episode. Most of the riders were well directed in the way you sit a horse and hold the reins. I catch little things like a sandwich that I could tell from the uniform slicing and shape was made from bread bought from a local supermarket. Overall it was exceptionally well done.… Expand
  5. MurrayT
    Jan 28, 2018
    10
    I honestly don't know how it could have been any better. And because reviews must be at least 75 characters, I'll say it again.
  6. amk1963
    Nov 25, 2017
    10
    Watched it in one day. Rarely do you find such great story telling: religion, ethics, morality, loyalty, brutality, survival and ultimately, gratitude. The score is gorgeous, the cinematography breathtaking. The acting? In a word: Merritt Wever. Loved this series!
  7. BobGates
    Nov 28, 2017
    10
    You have to have some love of westerns to enjoy this series, but if you do, it is really great. What some call cliches, others will see as the essential archetypes of the genre (lonely widow, hunted gunman, young cocky deputy sheriff, etc.) And what some will see as slow development others, me included, find a deep and rich ability to fill in the back story of all the characters. And whileYou have to have some love of westerns to enjoy this series, but if you do, it is really great. What some call cliches, others will see as the essential archetypes of the genre (lonely widow, hunted gunman, young cocky deputy sheriff, etc.) And what some will see as slow development others, me included, find a deep and rich ability to fill in the back story of all the characters. And while the overall plot may follow some traditional paths, the individual characters and stories are individual and original. The striking moral ambiguity of the villain is a great example. Great acting by so many different kinds of characters, some of whom don't really come on scene until the end. Terrific cinematography. If John Ford were alive, he would approve.… Expand
  8. VDS
    Dec 15, 2017
    7
    Lots of characters, lots of layers. It reminded me a bit of Fargo (the series), insomuch as I found myself trying to guess who was there just to die having achieved nothing.

    I felt it got better once they’d decided they didn’t need to keep showing how bad Jeff Daniels’ baddie was. His possie were the usual band of mental cowboy folk, all deranged to the point of almost being    Lots of characters, lots of layers. It reminded me a bit of Fargo (the series), insomuch as I found myself trying to guess who was there just to die having achieved nothing.

    I felt it got better once they’d decided they didn’t need to keep showing how bad Jeff Daniels’ baddie was. His possie were the usual band of mental cowboy folk, all deranged to the point of almost being non-functional. There was the obligatory TV mini series lesbian love interest, but don’t worry they weren’t allowed to be the main characters, because in TV land that means it then becomes a gay show, not just a story where the main characters might be same sex.

    The production values were good, though the final shoot out must have involved shooting lessons from stormtroopers because half of those involved couldn’t hit a barn door (I think that’s a term the country folk like to use).

    On the whole quite enjoyable, if not predictable and clinched and looking like it wants to start a Fargo style franchise.    … Expand
  9. SteveS
    Dec 20, 2017
    8
    Good westerns can be few and far between, so I wasn't expecting much from Godless. To my surprise, the show was very refreshingly original. Not perfect, but original.The story line contains the elements of a good western without becoming overly complex or too cliche.

    Merritt Wever was exceptional as Mary Agnes and Jeff Daniels redeems himself from his Dumb and Dumber days. Likewise, the    Good westerns can be few and far between, so I wasn't expecting much from Godless. To my surprise, the show was very refreshingly original. Not perfect, but original.The story line contains the elements of a good western without becoming overly complex or too cliche.

    Merritt Wever was exceptional as Mary Agnes and Jeff Daniels redeems himself from his Dumb and Dumber days. Likewise, the musical score rates right up there with the best of them, western and bluegrass with a hint of rock.

    Yes, there is cliche, but it's a western. Where may series go on for too long or try to tell too much story, I found myself wishing Godless had been a bit longer and had explored some additional back-story.    … Expand
  10. snorlax634
    Dec 2, 2017
    9
    Great Show. One of Netflix's greatest original shows. It knows its a Western and it does it well. The cast was well chosen. Jeff Daniels steals the show as the bad guy. I highly recommend this show, one of the best new Westerns I have seen in a long time. The setting and scenery was beautiful, it makes me want to travel to Colorado.
  11. Injun
    Nov 27, 2017
    9
    Very, very good show. Well written and acted. I love the Western genre and Godless captures the harshness of life at the time perfectly.

    There's a few episodes that are a bit dull but essential to the telling of the story. The ending was perfectly timed and had me on the edge of my seat and wanting more.
  12. LAPPOLATE
    Nov 28, 2017
    9
    7화 까지 모두 시청하였습니다. 개인적인 소감은, 넷플릭스 작품중 손에 꼽을만 하네요 :)
    광활한 서부의 자연을 보는것 만으로 플러스. 그 시대를 살아가는 매력적인 인물들이 등장합니다. 현대적인 연출과 서부의 매력이 한곳에 어우러진 느낌입니다. 전체적인 디자인과 스타일이 특히나 마음에 듭니다. 음악도 빼놓을 수 없겠군요. 시즌2가 나왔으면 하는 바람입니다. 정말 재밌었습니다! :)    7화 까지 모두 시청하였습니다. 개인적인 소감은, 넷플릭스 작품중 손에 꼽을만 하네요 :)
    광활한 서부의 자연을 보는것 만으로 플러스. 그 시대를 살아가는 매력적인 인물들이 등장합니다. 현대적인 연출과 서부의 매력이 한곳에 어우러진 느낌입니다. 전체적인 디자인과 스타일이 특히나 마음에 듭니다. 음악도 빼놓을 수 없겠군요. 시즌2가 나왔으면 하는 바람입니다. 정말 재밌었습니다! :)
  13. ComandanteCobra
    May 2, 2019
    9
    Very good, one of the best tv show of 2017.
    Good mix of Gunfights, drama, romance, grudge, harsh life on the frontier..
    Watching a Western show with the majority of protagonists being female is also unconventional , in a good way.
    Highly recomended.
  14. alisadayboyd
    Jul 1, 2018
    10
    Everything about Godless intrigued me. I can understand why some viewers might find it "slow," but I like the way this series takes its time and allows us to understand the characters and the setting more completely. The photography is breathtaking. The acting is superb. Jeff Daniels and Meritt Wever in particular are fantastic. Highly recommend.
  15. 1_Simple_Man
    Sep 22, 2018
    9
    Great show you Will love even the bay guy, I had to watch it in one sitting.. Personally didn't like the finale but if you like westerns it's a must
  16. geewah
    Jan 8, 2021
    9
    Excellent limited series and one of the best shows of 2017.
    Some clever writing, sweeping cimematography, and great gunfights lead to one of the best western tv series ever made.

Awards & Rankings

65
#65 Best TV Season of 2017
41
#41 Most Discussed TV Season of 2017
22
#22 Most Shared TV Season of 2017

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. Variety
    Reviewed by: Sonia Saraiya
    Dec 14, 2017
    50
    It’s disappointing that such a beautiful show, with such fine performers, could not have offered more than an outdated fairy tale.
    Read full review
  2. The Daily Beast
    Reviewed by: Nick Schager
    Dec 4, 2017
    80
    Godless is a work of confident artistry, casting well-worn clichés and archetypes in a fresh, illuminating light.
    Read full review
  3. RogerEbert.com
    Reviewed by: Allison Shoemaker
    Nov 29, 2017
    70
    Even if the flaws remain obvious, it’s worth following this story into the desert. There’s great acting to be found, and some thoughtful writing--and if you like sweeping panoramas of the sun setting across an untamed wild, then you’re in excellent, if heavy, hands.
    Read full review
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