Messiah (2020)

:

Season 1
  • Network: Netflix
  • Series Premiere Date: Jan 1, 2020
User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 32 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 32
  3. Negative: 5 out of 32
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User Reviews

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  1. Gnarl
    Jan 11, 2020
    9
    Starting this series without much expectations, it gave me a quite nice surprise.
    Driving around the thought on whether the protagonist is the supposed messiah (or a let's call him at least a holy man) or a charlatan, the viewer can never be too sure about his point of view, as along all the show, both options seem to be likely.
    This series excels in creating enough tension to keep the    Starting this series without much expectations, it gave me a quite nice surprise.
    Driving around the thought on whether the protagonist is the supposed messiah (or a let's call him at least a holy man) or a charlatan, the viewer can never be too sure about his point of view, as along all the show, both options seem to be likely.
    This series excels in creating enough tension to keep the viewer interested throughout all time but never at the costs of dull action or violence like other shows do.

    It could have gone more into depth about spiritual or religious thought though, but maybe they wanted to avoid to offend some groups by going to much into details. Still very recommendable and food for thoughts.    … Expand
  2. houmie
    Jan 18, 2020
    7
    The show is amazing. Without spoiling anything the finale is very much believable given how our geopolitics are running these days. The show also depicts the dark side of Israel and American foreign policy. In a time where anything anti-Israel is misunderstood as anti-semitism, this was a bold move to make from the producers and I'm glad they made it.

    The show drags on without much    The show is amazing. Without spoiling anything the finale is very much believable given how our geopolitics are running these days. The show also depicts the dark side of Israel and American foreign policy. In a time where anything anti-Israel is misunderstood as anti-semitism, this was a bold move to make from the producers and I'm glad they made it.

    The show drags on without much happening in fifth and sixth episodes, which makes you almost want to stop watching the show. But it gets again much better in the end. There are some inconsistencies with the Messiah's name, that doesn't match his actual origin in the show. They simply didn't manage to nail the cultural differences very well.

    In the 50s/60s the Western audience regarded the whole Far East as the 'China men'. No distinction was made between different countries, cultures and even looks. Today we experience the same with the Middle East, everyone is thrown into the same pot. Actors with thick Arabic accents speak Persian and play the Iranians. I don't understand why they haven't picked Iranian actors to play these roles. Given there are millions of Iranians living in Los Angeles and many of them working as actors, it wouldn't have been that hard. It's a shame because that subtle difference adds a cultural debt to the show if they had gone that extra mile.

    The show clearly borrowed the concepts of the illusion and believe from the Persian Sufis Shams and Rumi. I hope they go deeper into this direction in season two. All in all, it's very good and the acting is convincing.    … Expand
  3. podaddy
    Feb 13, 2020
    3
    Show started with some promise, but really morphed into a big puddle on nothingness after a few episodes. Acting and writing are below par, and it really feels like a Hallmark produced series. I’m quite perplexed by the number of positive reviews. By episode three it becomes quite apparent that every episode is going to follow the unimaginative and tried and true “is he or isn’t he” pathShow started with some promise, but really morphed into a big puddle on nothingness after a few episodes. Acting and writing are below par, and it really feels like a Hallmark produced series. I’m quite perplexed by the number of positive reviews. By episode three it becomes quite apparent that every episode is going to follow the unimaginative and tried and true “is he or isn’t he” path while giving the viewer absolutely no reason to hang on. I stayed in for six episodes and can’t think of one compelling reason to recommend this tripe to anyone… Expand
  4. Pablocortesi
    Feb 3, 2020
    10
    Esperando con ansias la segunda temporada, realmente me atrapó, personajes muy bien logrados y muy interesantes.
  5. Skeletor71
    Jan 14, 2020
    9
    I binged this in two days. And the only other show I've done that with is Stranger Things. So that should at least tell you something. ;-)
    This had me hooked from the beginning and all the way to the end. It has some weak bits, but overall this is a solid show with an amazing lead by the Messiah himself.
  6. raybnyc
    Jan 18, 2020
    10
    Thrilling and thought provoking. Hooked with the first episode, it was hard not to binge watch the entire first season.
  7. UncleWillard
    Jan 12, 2020
    5
    Not bad, but kinda flat. I love Michelle Moynahan, but her performance has a daytime TV vibe I didn't like. Feels like they'll drag out the savior/conman thing for as long as they can. The biggest issue is that this is an old story and new window dressing and cgi aren't adding to the trope.
  8. RSilveira6
    Jan 14, 2020
    9
    Simply brilliant! Good acting, deep story, very very memorable, one of the best show Netflix has ever made.
  9. Jazzer88
    Jan 22, 2020
    9
    Unexpected quality, great tv show. Recommended for not only religious people.
  10. Santiadol11
    Jan 16, 2020
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Demasiado fachero es!!!! dejen de joder con lo de la religión denme mi segunda temporada… Expand
  11. RedRkt
    Feb 10, 2020
    9
    Not your typical Hollywood crap. Challenges your mind, beliefs and the way you see things. Very different. If you are looking for explosions or reality TV garbage...look elsewhere.
  12. AlfonsoILrecons
    Mar 10, 2020
    8
    la recitzione è davvero spettacolare.la serie è realizzata davvero bene, è molto profnda la trama. e il finale ci fa attendere per la seconda stagione
  13. Marnip
    Apr 9, 2020
    0
    This is a **** show believe me !!!!
    Be careful and Don't waste your time please !!

Awards & Rankings

39
#39 Most Discussed TV Season of 2020

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
46

Mixed or average reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 8
  3. Negative: 1 out of 8
  1. CNN
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    Jan 9, 2020
    60
    The series has a lot going on, and it's certainly food for thought. Yet given what a third-rail topic the subject tends to be, the rewards don't seem to justify the risk, in the same way the merits of "Messiah" season one, once completed, don't wholly justify the time investment.
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  2. The Daily Beast
    Reviewed by: Nick Schager
    Jan 9, 2020
    40
    It’s one thing to stoke audiences’ imagination and anxiety with uncertainty, but do it for too long, and to no conclusive end, and what you’re left with is characters, situations and conundrums that are increasingly impossible to care about—especially when the show has nothing enlightening to say about them.
    Read full review
  3. The Guardian
    Reviewed by: Lucy Mangan
    Jan 9, 2020
    80
    Messiah is potent stuff packed with fine performances.
    Read full review
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