House of Cards (2013)

Netflix | Release Date: February 1, 2013

8.0	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 58 Ratings

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kyle20ellisMar 28, 2022

'House of Cards' much of the time was one of the most compelling shows. Sadly, it has also become one of the most frustrating. Not since 'Once Upon a Time' and 'The Walking Dead', and before that 'Lost' has such a brilliant show of great'House of Cards' much of the time was one of the most compelling shows. Sadly, it has also become one of the most frustrating. Not since 'Once Upon a Time' and 'The Walking Dead', and before that 'Lost' has such a brilliant show of great promise declined so rapidly.

Lets start with the many great things first. For the first four seasons, 'House of Cards' was seriously addictive, must-watch television and very quickly became one of my favourite shows. Throughout its run, it's one of the most stylish and most atmospheric shows personally seen, with cinematic-quality photography and production design. The direction was smart and intelligent, especially the first two episodes with David Fincher's, to me one of the better directors of the last twenty five or so years, involvement (the first episode earning Fincher a Primetime Emmy) and the music knew when to have presence and when to tone things down to let the dialogue and characters properly speak.

Also smart is the writing. Biting, thought-provoking and tightly structured, the writing in Seasons 1 to 4 was an example to all television. The political elements were intriguing and not heavy-handed, a problem so common in film but avoided in 'House of Cards'. The stories didn't go at a "fast" pace but it never dragged in the show's prime days, and they were also very layered, had variety and were suitably complex without being convoluted.

The characters engaged and intrigued, Frank being another example of one of contemporary television's most fascinating lead characters. 'House of Cards' throughout has been so strongly acted, with Kevin Spacey on tour-De-force form and Robin Wright giving career-best work.

So it just feels incredibly frustrating that a show of such brilliance in its prime declined so rapidly in Season 5, to the extent that it feels like a completely different show altogether. The production values and acting have remained top notch, but even they can't save the show being the complete anti-thesis of what it used to be.

Pace became incredibly draggy, thanks to flabby writing, simplistic characterisation that is suggestive of the writers not knowing what to do to progress the characters and stories that have become repetitive, both devoid of complexity and confused, ridiculous and like the writers have run out of ideas.

It to me was no surprise when it was announced that Season 6 would be 'House of Cards' last season, but it is somewhat saddening that production has now been suspended/cancelled following the Kevin Spacey sexual assault allegations that have now cost Spacey his future on the show (and done serious damage to his career). Season 5 cried out for another season, so that the show has ended on an incomplete note because of the controversy is a real pity, despite Season 5 being such a disappointment 'House of Cards' as an overall show deserves better than that.

Overall, brilliant for the first four seasons but Season 5 was so disappointing, enough to bring down the rating considerably. 7/10 Bethany Cox… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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supratt1jzJan 15, 2020

Seasons 1 - 5 were great, Kevin Spacey, whatever you think of him personally, is an incredible actor and made the show what is was, a genius piece of work. Killing off his character though before the last season because of personal scandalSeasons 1 - 5 were great, Kevin Spacey, whatever you think of him personally, is an incredible actor and made the show what is was, a genius piece of work. Killing off his character though before the last season because of personal scandal was low, unprofessional by Netflix, and killed the show. Claire Underwood could never fill Francis' shoes, yet Netflix tries to push feminist agenda and other woke ideologies down viewers throats, ruining the legacy started by the show.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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Viktor_Jul 15, 2019

This is now a somewhat controversial series because of the allegations about Kevin Spacey. You might not like his personality but his acting is just marvelous. Season 1 to 5 are really good but when Netflix decided to cut out Spacey in seasonThis is now a somewhat controversial series because of the allegations about Kevin Spacey. You might not like his personality but his acting is just marvelous. Season 1 to 5 are really good but when Netflix decided to cut out Spacey in season 6 it didn’t hold up, but you should watch the other seasons!… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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NubellsNov 16, 2021

Seasons 1-5 are amazing but season 6 is a bunch of politically correct **** 6 hours of Clare Underwood telling you how much she hates men.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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ihonestlydnMay 7, 2021

A great and deep show that gets progressively worse, the last season is honestly so bad that i couldn't finish it myself.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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CriticasdecineJan 2, 2022

Although I think the best thing in this first season of House of Cards is the acting performances provided by star and costar Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright I think this series has a quite notorious quality with tridimensional and charismaticAlthough I think the best thing in this first season of House of Cards is the acting performances provided by star and costar Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright I think this series has a quite notorious quality with tridimensional and charismatic lead actors such as Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey), that within the acting, hold the series together.
Personally, the unseen or uncommon presence of maquiavelic characters in shows or series made me appreciate the creation of the lead character, could enter the list of the 5 best show characters I’ve seen.
Without talking technically, I also got along and connected with that classy aesthetic and rich environment as well with the political world in Washington and in USA.

Used to be my favorite series, excellent work for Netflix, one of the most important shows for the modern tv series industry, being the first Netflix original production.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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Jeebus117Jan 25, 2021

Amazing show, ruined by the last season being good, but not great. Season 3 also dragged, a little. But 4 came back strong. If not for the final season being what it was, I'd give it a 10.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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mariolanes7788Feb 22, 2020

The show is really good, and I've fallen in love with it definitely going into season 4. It's obviously not super realistic but it's not supposed to be it's supposed to be an over the top exaggerated drama centered around politics which isThe show is really good, and I've fallen in love with it definitely going into season 4. It's obviously not super realistic but it's not supposed to be it's supposed to be an over the top exaggerated drama centered around politics which is fun to watch. My only real complaint and the reason I give it a 9 and not a 10 is the massive amounts of sex that it has which is really unnecessary at times. So obviously I wouldn't recommend this to children or recommend this if you want to watch an accurate political show because actual politics is boring for most people. Its characters are very well written definitely Kevin Spacey's character Frank Underwood whos the main character of the show but is mostly an anti-hero. But I highly recommend it if you like drama and understand politics to a certain degree, and if you can handle some sex scenes.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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hdraytemurJan 15, 2020

Claire's character is being portrayed as an important figure from the beginning of the series. But the writers couldn't do it. Claire is the most empty and predictable character in the series. After the second season, Kevin Spacey was theClaire's character is being portrayed as an important figure from the beginning of the series. But the writers couldn't do it. Claire is the most empty and predictable character in the series. After the second season, Kevin Spacey was the only reason I watched it. Now, there's no Kevin Spacey so there's no point in watching it.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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Pan_KrytykJan 18, 2022

Frank Underwood, czyli kapitalna rola Kevina Spacey. Pierwsze 2-3 sezony są super, kolejne 3 już dokrętka dla kasy. Przy czym nadal niezła.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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imaroacateranMay 10, 2022

The main appeal of this show was watching the main character stare at the screen and talk like a sociopath, and that element has aged like milk in light of who played him.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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