Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker

:

Season 1
  • Network: Netflix
  • Series Premiere Date: Mar 20, 2020
User Score
5.9

Mixed or average reviews- based on 13 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 13
  3. Negative: 3 out of 13
Watch Now

Where To Watch

Stream 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. Pitbulllover
    Mar 24, 2020
    2
    It's nice to see diversity in the director's chair, but this is a weird mix of modern flourishes in a period-piece. The filmmakers didn't seem confident enough in their story to tell it straight. There's a really weird creative choice involving quick cuts of Octavia in the boxing rink fighting the people that oppose her. It's really stupid and on the nose. Some of the characters areIt's nice to see diversity in the director's chair, but this is a weird mix of modern flourishes in a period-piece. The filmmakers didn't seem confident enough in their story to tell it straight. There's a really weird creative choice involving quick cuts of Octavia in the boxing rink fighting the people that oppose her. It's really stupid and on the nose. Some of the characters are also way over the top. I was really disappointed.… Expand
  2. pedroassugeni
    Apr 9, 2020
    9
    A série é muito divertida e interessante, só que muito corrida, mas eu gostei bastante e vale a pena assistir
  3. Pan_Krytyk
    Nov 24, 2021
    6
    Dobry serial,który można ogarnąć w jeden wieczór. Uważam że po serialu warto doczytać w internecie o Madam C.J. Walker

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 17
  3. Negative: 2 out of 17
  1. RogerEbert.com
    Reviewed by: Whitney Spencer
    Mar 27, 2020
    88
    The series is a smart, genuine portrayal of a venerable figure. “Self Made” is equal parts an entertaining account of the first woman millionaire, and a sharp critique of the margins along which Black people endure in a long history of systemic racism and gender-based oppression.
    Read full review
  2. Decider
    Reviewed by: Joel Keller
    Mar 23, 2020
    70
    Standout performances by Spencer, Ejogo and more make Self Made a pleasurable watch. It’s just too bad that the story of Madam C.J. Walker isn’t given time to slow down and breathe.
    Read full review
  3. Salon
    Reviewed by: Melanie McFarland
    Mar 23, 2020
    80
    It is decidedly an old-school, good-time miniseries dropped into a world that will measure it by upper-crusty limited series standards. It also confidently strides through such nagging issues as colorism, class discrimination, and sexism black people visited upon each other in post-slavery, pre-Gilded Age America, all while it caresses, thoughtfully, the complex social and personal issues wrapped up in the relationship between black dignity and our hair, and the impossible, ugly beauty standards erected as an obstacle to opportunity.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »