Instinct

:

Season 1
  • Network: CBS
  • Series Premiere Date: Mar 18, 2018
Season #: 2, 1
User Score
4.7

Mixed or average reviews- based on 31 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 31
  3. Negative: 12 out of 31
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. tulipBEN1
    Mar 22, 2018
    0
    I would rather watch knitting than this absurd attempt at action drama. CBS you can do much better!
  2. tvdude
    Mar 18, 2018
    1
    Instinct show is so fun it's like Murder She Wrote with less violence.
    everybody looks nice and is nice and Alan Cumming is always so humble. really authentic.
    and everybody says cute things that make me laugh so much. yay.
    The Good Wife and The Good Fight shows hurt my head because those shows are too good so then I have to think so much.
    And all dinosaurs are fake and made up.
  3. JSintheStates
    Mar 22, 2018
    8
    The pilot was delightful. Cumming is charming as usual. The characters are well written, and the actors well cast. I'm not sure why more people didn't like episode 1.
  4. KarenLMB
    Mar 31, 2018
    10
    I have seen the first two shows of "Instinct", and I think it is wonderful! The leads are brainy, engaging, and have depth - and so far, the story lines are very good. I think this could evolve to be even better!
  5. bluepeaceok
    May 14, 2018
    9
    luv Instinct and intelligent show and still a lot of fun. looks forward to this every week
  6. crankyerma
    Apr 1, 2018
    1
    I love Alan Cumming and I am a fan of mystery shows, particularly BBC. So, it was with great anticipation I looked forward to "Instinct." That zeal was not rewarded. It seems the writers spent so much energy bending over backwards to address network PC checklist notes in creating characters for this abomination, that they were too worn out from their efforts to provide a worthwhile showI love Alan Cumming and I am a fan of mystery shows, particularly BBC. So, it was with great anticipation I looked forward to "Instinct." That zeal was not rewarded. It seems the writers spent so much energy bending over backwards to address network PC checklist notes in creating characters for this abomination, that they were too worn out from their efforts to provide a worthwhile show for them to inhabit.… Expand
  7. Domisotto
    Apr 25, 2018
    6
    I find it uncannily resembles Castle. The good part is that there is no predictable romantic line to run out. The bad part is that the murder mysteries themselves are not that interesting and do not involve a deep exploration of the human emotional deviations the show seems to promise with the lead's expertise. So far the most interesting things were shown during the lecture cameos.
  8. Ededed
    Apr 4, 2018
    2
    Not totally without charm and wit, but uneven and predictable. Their ripoff of the plot of an old Bones episode shows just how unoriginal this series is. Not the worst thing on Sunday night, but close. I predict this one will lose my interest in short order.

    Both APB and Wisdom of the Crowd were better than this!
  9. kudos4acting
    Mar 26, 2018
    0
    I was really looking forward to the premier as I enjoy Alan Cummings' acting. I was then floored by the weakness of the script that was entirely formulaic--Cummings had nothing to work with. That was then followed by a parade of characters and story lines straight out of a PC (political correctness, not computer) handbook with stereotypical roles. I lasted about 20 minutes before givingI was really looking forward to the premier as I enjoy Alan Cummings' acting. I was then floored by the weakness of the script that was entirely formulaic--Cummings had nothing to work with. That was then followed by a parade of characters and story lines straight out of a PC (political correctness, not computer) handbook with stereotypical roles. I lasted about 20 minutes before giving up and taking it out of the DVR lineup...… Expand
  10. erber2
    Apr 8, 2018
    0
    Was enjoying Instinct until two men kissed at the end of the show. I refuse to have the gay agenda shoved down my throat and will no longer watch or support the sponsors of Instinct. Too bad. It was a good show.
  11. IMHO407
    Apr 13, 2018
    4
    Are the writers of Instinct confused? Are there too many of them to develop a leading character that makes sense? Alan Cumming does his best, and is delightful as always, to bring to life a simultaneously brilliant and idiotic former CIA agent turned book author turned NYPD consultant. There are times in every episode I've seen so far where Dylan (Cummings character) offers brilliantAre the writers of Instinct confused? Are there too many of them to develop a leading character that makes sense? Alan Cumming does his best, and is delightful as always, to bring to life a simultaneously brilliant and idiotic former CIA agent turned book author turned NYPD consultant. There are times in every episode I've seen so far where Dylan (Cummings character) offers brilliant insights to the criminal mind, and then asks ridiculous simplistic questions that anyone who was former CIA would surely know! Some of the dialog is so contrived, it's painful to watch. It's one thing to have a dynamic character with multiple layers to their personality, but there needs to be continuity and common sense when depicting someone with his background.

    Besides the frustrating character development and lackluster scripts, the overall feel of the show is pretty good. The actors, the sets, the plot lines themselves are all enjoyable and deserving of much more than what the show actually delivers. It's worth watching if you love crime dramas, or Alan Cumming, as long as you go into it understanding you're not getting the best of either of them.    … Expand
  12. Elissab
    May 21, 2018
    2
    Seems to be trying to compete with Elementary but not doing very well. Hopefully CBS will not make the mistake of canceling Elementary for this poor comparison.
  13. Widelynel
    Jun 27, 2018
    10
    the mystery to showing the crime is amazing, and keeps me wanting more. I love the actors in the show and their relationships. Despite the fact that Lizzie and Professor aren’t dating, obviously, I am curious to see how the writer is going to develop their relationships. I want more!!
  14. pdough236
    Jul 7, 2019
    0
    I have been waiting for months for INSTINCT to return. I am a huge Alan Cummings fan. Second episode and I am really bored! Only interesting thing is the female leads new hairstyle... Very much "by the book" and nothing memorable.

Awards & Rankings

70
#70 Most Discussed TV Season of 2018

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
53

Mixed or average reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Cleveland Plain Dealer
    Reviewed by: Mark Dawidziak
    Mar 19, 2018
    50
    It's all pleasant enough fare, but here we have a lead performance that demands better than fair.
    Read full review
  2. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Tim Goodman
    Mar 16, 2018
    60
    The appeal of Instinct isn't so much in the predictable movements therein, but in Cumming himself. It's a winning combination, if you like these kinds of shows. ... It's helpful that Novakovic is also quite likable as the feisty dynamo detective.
    Read full review
  3. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Robert Rorke
    Mar 16, 2018
    50
    If you’re looking for an update of “Murder, She Wrote,” then “Instinct” might be the show for you.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »