His Dark Materials

:

Season 1
  • Network: HBO
  • Series Premiere Date: Nov 3, 2019
Season #: 3, 2, 1
User Score
7.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 99 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 70 out of 99
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 99
  3. Negative: 16 out of 99
Watch Now

Where To Watch

Buy on
Stream On

Review this tv show

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling

User Reviews

view
per page
  1. metabad
    Jan 3, 2020
    4
    i watched it and I can't recommend it to adults.
    I'm pretty sure the source material, which I haven't read, is better.
    If there's anything in there that makes it interesting for a mature audience, it all got lost in the translation to TV. What is presented in the show is a world where people form a bound with a 'demon' which is depicted, at least in the first season, as merely a    i watched it and I can't recommend it to adults.
    I'm pretty sure the source material, which I haven't read, is better.
    If there's anything in there that makes it interesting for a mature audience,
    it all got lost in the translation to TV.

    What is presented in the show is a world where people form a bound with a 'demon'
    which is depicted, at least in the first season, as merely a talking pet.
    This might be attractive to kids imagining they had something like this.

    The catch is: The human's life is also tied to the life of the 'demon' (talking pet).
    If it dies, the human dies.
    And we are talking here mostly about cute, furry and small pets. Or birds. Or butterflies.
    Running around and flying around freely.
    You know what eats butterflies? Birds do. Or some cuddly little pet gets crushed by a vehicle
    or trampled on by other people. All not happening in the show.
    What does happen is that your cute and furry little companion gets choked by a monkey and you choke, too.
    If someone wants to harm you, he/she can just target the 'demon', which of course happens in the show.
    Opposed to what you would think, the so called 'demons' don't have any supernatural powers to defend themselves.

    The entire concept is utter nonsense.

    Apart from all that, the adaptation to TV doesn't work well. I would say the source material doesn't translate well to the screen.
    From what I read, there is complex world building in the source material and what we see on the screen feels somehow incomplete and disjointed. It feels like seeing many parts of a bigger picture without the context necessary to enjoy it without too many unanswered questions.

    In this world, the church is very strong and a new scientific discovery or theory might be considered heresy.
    The clerical part of the story gets barely enough screen time and not enough to really feel what it's like living in that kind of world.

    All in all, it was an unsatisfying viewing experience. I'm done with this show.
    Kids may like it, as they probably won't think too much about the implications of the core concept, but for adults? Don't waste your time. There are better shows out there.    … Expand
  2. UncleWillard
    Nov 4, 2019
    6
    Seems to be making the same mistakes the movie made, but with less style and talent. I have not read the books, but I imagine they enthrall with a steam punk and swashbuckling adventure set in a fully imagined and densely packed world. Unfortunately, that rarely translates to the screen for with either newcomers or book veterans. I get an unwelcome Potter/Narnia vibe too.
  3. Skeletor71
    Nov 12, 2019
    5
    Maybe the source material just isn't as good as people remember it to be, because this is like Potter, but somehow for a younger audience?!
  4. YoungerReviewer
    Nov 16, 2019
    6
    So far the first two episodes have ben intriguing about I can see that not lasting for the full season. The main story isn't that interesting but the whole world and premise of the series is what makes it good. Once the magic wears off that could change unless they through a big plot change. I would watch it for now and see if it interests you.

Awards & Rankings

92
#92 Best TV Season of 2019
30
#30 Most Discussed TV Season of 2019

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. The Independent
    Reviewed by: Ed Cumming
    Jan 3, 2020
    100
    His Dark Materials is worth the trip. This is a beautiful, brooding vision of Pullman’s universe, which retains the mix of childish wonder and darkness that make his books so beguiling to young adults.
    Read full review
  2. The Guardian
    Reviewed by: Lucy Mangan
    Dec 3, 2019
    100
    There is time and space to do them justice and the first episode, in all its steampunkish glory, gave every sign that the potential is to be realised.
    Read full review
  3. TV Guide Magazine
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    Nov 14, 2019
    60
    A robust adventure series. [11-24 Nov 2019, p.17]
See all critic reviews »