Nightflyers

:

Season 1
  • Network: SyFy
  • Series Premiere Date: Dec 2, 2018
User Score
5.5

Mixed or average reviews- based on 78 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 78
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 78
  3. Negative: 28 out of 78
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. OliveOil
    Dec 10, 2018
    9
    This show is great! I am surprised at all the negative reviews - I’m through 6 episodes and I find that what others label “stiff acting” is really a realistically written script of how an ensemble of somewhat broken people only slowly warm up to each other. The characters’ subtext and emotional complexity may be difficult to swallow for those used to being spoon-fed the usualThis show is great! I am surprised at all the negative reviews - I’m through 6 episodes and I find that what others label “stiff acting” is really a realistically written script of how an ensemble of somewhat broken people only slowly warm up to each other. The characters’ subtext and emotional complexity may be difficult to swallow for those used to being spoon-fed the usual less-challenging Syfy offering but I find these characters and their struggle extremely compelling and I wish there were more like this. Nuanced characters, the intelligence of a George R.R. plot, and the melding of classic horror with Nostromo-esque sci-fi make this totally enjoyable and I hope we get more shows willing to swim upstream a little like this one does. If you feel slightly insulted by what you usually get on this network, this show is for you.… Expand
  2. demarkle77
    Dec 10, 2018
    10
    I found it to be a lot of fun! Spider Bot rules! The first 3 episodes are just the beginning -- once you get deeper into the series the concepts and characters really take off. The show is compelling and there's some of the most mind bending effects at play. Don't be discouraged by whiny Sci-Fi purists who don't know how to enjoy themselves! Give it a shot (at least through first 5 eps)I found it to be a lot of fun! Spider Bot rules! The first 3 episodes are just the beginning -- once you get deeper into the series the concepts and characters really take off. The show is compelling and there's some of the most mind bending effects at play. Don't be discouraged by whiny Sci-Fi purists who don't know how to enjoy themselves! Give it a shot (at least through first 5 eps) and then decide for yourself!… Expand
  3. Existentialman
    Dec 3, 2018
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Not sure why there are all these negative "professional" reviews. This show clearly needs multiple episodes to establish its story. The same was true of that other George R. R. Martin show. What was it? Oh yeah, Game of Thrones. https://winteriscoming.net/2017/04/27/this-is-fun-a-sampling-of-bad-reviews-game-of-thrones-received-in-the-beginning-shell/

    (Spoiler Alert, if you're on the fence a few spoilers may get you to tune in.)

    As far as my own review, there are a lot of great concepts already set up. The telepath, the inevitability of a tragic end to the story and the mortality of any character you may like, (again much like Game of Thrones), the father addicted to a holographic version of his daughter. I definitely want to see where this is heading. I also like how the space ship is both vast and claustrophobic. George R. R. Martin himself tells you exactly what he was going for Sci-Fi Horror. Sounds exciting to me.    … Expand
  4. mrshalloney
    Dec 10, 2018
    9
    Totally dig this show. For the average viewer it may take a minute to dig in but it's been worth it so far! Lot's of subtle Alien/Shining/2001 vibes which are great as well. Great writing...great cast....well done!
  5. AxsionJaxsion
    Dec 10, 2018
    10
    Well written with a great cast. Genuinely scary and suspenseful. Nice insight from GRRM cast and crew on the inside interviews. When is Season 2 ?
  6. Davrosdaleks1
    Dec 22, 2018
    7
    Based on the George R.R. Martin novella, the sci-fi/horror television show Nightflyers is about the crew of a spaceship seeking out a mysterious alien race.

    The show really nails the horror aspect. It manages to juggle several several horror elements rather than having one singular threat. Things get real freaky and I love it. Also liked just the basic design of the spaceship The    Based on the George R.R. Martin novella, the sci-fi/horror television show Nightflyers is about the crew of a spaceship seeking out a mysterious alien race.

    The show really nails the horror aspect. It manages to juggle several several horror elements rather than having one singular threat. Things get real freaky and I love it. Also liked just the basic design of the spaceship The Nightflyer. Yeah, it doesn't do a whole lot new design-wise, but it looks good.

    However, the show fails to completely stick the landing when it comes to the plot. There are interesting character ideas, mind you, but things never quite jive. Characters make weird decisions, and there are a couple moments where they don't react like real people would. It's like the writers were more interested in creating individual scenes than setting them up naturally. The exhibition is also vague in parts.

    The show is setting up for season two so don't expect some big questions to be answered yet.

    Nightflyers isn't perfect, but I was entertained enough to want to see where this goes.    … Expand
  7. robotsombrero
    Dec 10, 2018
    9
    I'm digging it! Love the homages to classic horror films in the "container" of a space show. And it only gets better the deeper you get into the series. It's fun and scary!
  8. MeOnTheWeb
    Dec 10, 2018
    10
    Been watching the show from the start, great science fiction and really enjoy the suspense and horror. Well thought out, adult science fiction. Don't understand all the negative reviews.
  9. StephenWalsh
    Dec 3, 2018
    9
    I'm actually enjoying it a lot. Think it will take a while to settle into it, but looking forward to next episode.
  10. MadHammer314
    Dec 17, 2018
    10
    *No Spoilers*

    I'm surprised this show is 'mixed' with critics, it's great! I'm taking it as further evidence of how useless professional reviews can be sometimes. Perhaps some saw that it was based on the George R.R. Martin book, and came looking for a "Game of Thrones In Space". I like Game of Thrones, but this an entirely different animal. Personally I think a "Game of Thrones In    *No Spoilers*

    I'm surprised this show is 'mixed' with critics, it's great! I'm taking it as further evidence of how useless professional reviews can be sometimes. Perhaps some saw that it was based on the George R.R. Martin book, and came looking for a "Game of Thrones In Space". I like Game of Thrones, but this an entirely different animal. Personally I think a "Game of Thrones In Space" would be something closer to the Dune franchise, which is completely impossible with the set-up of this show, as it mainly revolves around a single spaceship's mission.

    Personally as a fan of Event Horizon (flim), Altered Carbon (TV), The Expanse (TV) and 2001 (film), I've found the show to be excellent, and a welcome indication that quality Sci-Fi Horror for adult audiences still matters to some show producers. All I can say is watch it! If you don't like the first five minutes of the first episode, it's probably not for you.

    It's definitely doesn't hold your hand for explaining everything quickly (or at all), which may be a contributing factor to some of the negative reviews. Personally I'm a big fan of it's style, which reminded me of the way Altered Carbon didn't explain every term or concept used by the characters, and it was left more to the viewer to pay attention and learn about their world in a more organic way. I've also seen some negative reviews slamming "plot holes" or "uneducated writing", whilst citing events that are explained by the end of season 1. Personally I'm not sure such reviews should be taken seriously, when their patience is clearly too short to even finish the series before rating it badly =|

    Fair warning some scenes in the series can be quite graphic, so if you're easily 'triggered' or don't like body horror elements, maybe steer clear...    … Expand
  11. Tassios
    Dec 27, 2018
    10
    If you take into account the time when the novel was released, the story is much better than many others of the genre, I watched it come if I was at that time and I enjoyed it too much. Also, who is a fan of game of thrones will see some similarities between the two series that are not mere coincidences. highly recommended. despite some minor slips.
  12. Natanieluz
    Feb 1, 2019
    9
    The Nightflyers is a preatty good scifi series, set aboard starship/spaceship (as in the title).
    The series is based on a book (same title) writted by George R. R. Martin.
    9/10, waiting for another season :D.
  13. FireStorm1010
    Feb 26, 2019
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I just finished watching it and im amazed. This is real sci fi for adults, makes you think. I like sometimes standard hollywood plastic sci fi , but this is on another level, it feels realistic, it moves you. Highly recommend. One thing thats bothered me a bit its the ending, so Karl gets back in time, and it shows like a happy ending, but what about the crew and overall the humanity in its time, I mean that was the aim of this mission, not some personal recover your daughter stuff.… Expand
  14. paulraised
    Feb 3, 2019
    8
    The story makes little sense, it’s cheesy at times, it does borrow all the scifi tropes... But it is extremely entertaining and engaging. It borrows heavily from Event Horizon, in a very good way, so if you liked that movie, this is very fun to watch.
  15. geistreiches
    Feb 24, 2019
    10
    it's a good show, not sure about the negative reviews here.. needs some time to build up, the first episode might not be the best start but you need to give it time, good actors and mystery..

    people might read too much about a show before they build their own opinion..
  16. l30nardos
    Mar 26, 2019
    10
    This show got so much potential. I didn't watch 1987 movie or read/listen to the book. But i liked all this Dead Space and Event Horizon Vibe. I just felt the need to watch to the end of this story. Its sad there wont be another season. Because for me it would be a big achievement to take forward this story from where it left us and give it a proper ending.

Awards & Rankings

32
#32 Most Discussed TV Season of 2018

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
47

Mixed or average reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 14
  3. Negative: 1 out of 14
  1. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: Matt Zoller Seitz
    Dec 3, 2018
    40
    Unfortunately, the show never alchemizes these touchstones into a fresh, distinctive aesthetic. And when projects like this aren’t capable of knocking you out with style, they’d better have vivid characters and a riveting story to fall back on, and that’s not the case here, either.
    Read full review
  2. Reason.com
    Reviewed by: Glenn Garvin
    Nov 30, 2018
    20
    The constant, clumsy back-and-forth story line is not [Buhler]'s only annoying affectation. He's also larded Nightflyer with references to other, better, works, from Star Trek to The Shining, probably intended in homage but really serving just to remind you how much better all of them were. And the abundant gore, no doubt a confused nod to Martin's original premise that horror and sci-fi can coexist in the same vehicle, serves no purpose at all. [Buhler] may think he's speaking in some advanced new artistic argot, but really, it's just a lot of outer-space jabberwocky.
    Read full review
  3. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Alex McLevy
    Nov 30, 2018
    58
    There’s a sense all of this has been done before, and showrunner Jeff Buhler doesn’t quite know how to make it feel new again. It’s a testament to the pulpy dramatics of the source material that Nightflyers remains enjoyable to watch despite these weaknesses.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »