McMafia

:

Season 1
Season #: 2, 1
Metascore
59

Mixed or average reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
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Critic Reviews

  1. Wall Street Journal
    Reviewed by: Dorothy Rabinowitz
    Feb 23, 2018
    70
    It’s a testament to this series (created by Hossein Amini and James Watkins, and inspired by Misha Glenny’s book of the same name) that its seductions succeed as well as they do in overcoming its flaws. Among which we can count a pervasive tendency to moralizing babble bearing small resemblance to human discourse.
  2. Variety
    Reviewed by: Sonia Saraiya
    Feb 23, 2018
    70
    That a miniseries can create characters and environments that seem so tangibly real is an exceptional feat. Unfortunately, in its back half, McMafia seems to forget about the worlds it’s inhabited in order to focus on the rather frustrating characters at its core. It’s still a compelling journey, and many ways the narrative arc is an inevitable one.
  3. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    Feb 16, 2018
    70
    Alex, who has tried to live a by-the-book life as a businessman, gets pulled into a family crisis in a believable way that doesn’t feel like a ridiculous TV plot twist.

Awards & Rankings

32
#32 Most Discussed TV Season of 2023
2
#2 Most Shared TV Season of 2023

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 49 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 49
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 49
  3. Negative: 8 out of 49
  1. Rust_Cohle
    Mar 1, 2018
    10
    Very good cast, great action, good plot. Highly recommended to watch. Critics are wrong.
  2. sonder
    Mar 3, 2018
    9
    The critics are again wrong on McMafia. McMafia has a much more realistic take on modern high-level organized crime than any other TV show orThe critics are again wrong on McMafia. McMafia has a much more realistic take on modern high-level organized crime than any other TV show or movie. Money is laundered, moved around sanctions, and moved across borders through ostensibly legal investments, in which the undocumented quid pro quo is extremely difficult to prove, and in which violations of agreements result in deaths.

    The enemies and adversaries in McMafia are extremely chilling, yet multifaceted characters. I had to hit the pause button many times in season 1 to let my nerves calm a bit. The give and take relationship between Russia's intelligence services/The Kremlin and organized crime is timely, and fun to watch.

    Without going into detail, I was initially lukewarm on the choice for lead actor, but after having watched the first season, I am much more sympathetic to the actor/character choice.

    The critics are wrong and worthless. I can't wait for season 2.    … Full Review »
  3. acricketer
    Mar 1, 2018
    10
    USA reviews seem to have panned this show. It is a little more sophisticated than Miami Vice or The Simpsons. European and World culture doesUSA reviews seem to have panned this show. It is a little more sophisticated than Miami Vice or The Simpsons. European and World culture does not resonate with the majority US world view with unrecognisable characters that aren't either macho or vacuous. (even recognizable is highlighted as spelt wrong according to the US spellchecker that does not recognise English)

    It's jolly good and deserves a tickety boo rating.    … Full Review »
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