Shadowhunters

:

Season 1
  • Network: Freeform
  • Series Premiere Date: Jan 12, 2016
Season #: 3, 2, 1
User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 298 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 203 out of 298
  2. Mixed: 29 out of 298
  3. Negative: 66 out of 298
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User Reviews

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  1. TornadoCreator
    Apr 10, 2016
    6
    If someone asked some nameless executives to modernise 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer' for a 2016's teen audience; this is what you'd get. It's fun fantasy action with some interesting concepts and decent characters, Katherine McNamara plays a great lead role and is equal parts vulnerable and capable depending on the situation; which works. Sadly that's about all there is that I can praise.If someone asked some nameless executives to modernise 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer' for a 2016's teen audience; this is what you'd get. It's fun fantasy action with some interesting concepts and decent characters, Katherine McNamara plays a great lead role and is equal parts vulnerable and capable depending on the situation; which works. Sadly that's about all there is that I can praise. There's a clear and constant hint of sexualisation as they find any excuse to squeeze Miss McNamara into a tight leather outfit that shows off her body; but I'll admit I did enjoy the eye candy during my soapy teen monster fighting serial. In fact, it's half the reason I'm still watching as she's the only real stand out part of the show.

    The show itself lacks the humour that the like of Buffy had, with far more time being spent going on and on about magical mcguffins and the "destiny" of the main character. The show tries to be far more serious in tone than it's pacing or atmosphere can deliver making it come across as "moody teen" the TV show. It's hardly a bad show, but it's one I can only recommend to fans of the genre. If you grew up watching Charmed or Buffy, you'll probably find yourself at home here; but there's far better stuff out there.    … Expand
  2. Kaylz78
    Jan 21, 2016
    5
    To be honest, I went in with high hopes and was left disappointed honestly, yes its keeping to the storyline but what i don't like is that fact that there is more than just the four of them as there is only meant to be four shadow hunters but yet theres this tech world with a lot of them? they are meant to be limited. I was hoping for it to go slower and be more detailed that way it beTo be honest, I went in with high hopes and was left disappointed honestly, yes its keeping to the storyline but what i don't like is that fact that there is more than just the four of them as there is only meant to be four shadow hunters but yet theres this tech world with a lot of them? they are meant to be limited. I was hoping for it to go slower and be more detailed that way it be better!!! Clary is okay but she's meant to be like sensitive and not tough but she's just feisty.. she's meant to gain that slowly... Jace is good and performs well... honestly i am completely not sure on it yet, but hopefully it improves.... the film was a lot better and honestly even though they changed a few things I still prefer the film and think they should have carried that on instead.. but i am all up for hoping it improves and will still watch to see if it does... but its average so far.....… Expand
  3. jordankay28
    Feb 3, 2016
    6
    Have personally read the entire series this is hard for me to watch. Just like any other series it's not going to be exactly like the book but I personally believe that they did a better job making a movie than they have with the tv show. I will still watch it as I want to see if it gets better or worse than my first experience. I was hoping that they were going to use the same actors asHave personally read the entire series this is hard for me to watch. Just like any other series it's not going to be exactly like the book but I personally believe that they did a better job making a movie than they have with the tv show. I will still watch it as I want to see if it gets better or worse than my first experience. I was hoping that they were going to use the same actors as they did in the movie and I was very disappointed to know that they didn't. Hopefully the show will improve and make me excited to watch it every week.… Expand
  4. Gin-N-Sonic
    Feb 16, 2016
    4
    It's a bit much all this, although the actors are gregarious, the general over the top pushing glam appeal is off-putting, this takes away from the actors/actresses on screen credibility, considering the dialogue is mediocre at best. Thus far, I feel that I'm watching some bizarre Zoolander action show. The first episodes seem like an afterthought with the unnecessary camera movementIt's a bit much all this, although the actors are gregarious, the general over the top pushing glam appeal is off-putting, this takes away from the actors/actresses on screen credibility, considering the dialogue is mediocre at best. Thus far, I feel that I'm watching some bizarre Zoolander action show. The first episodes seem like an afterthought with the unnecessary camera movement (you could do better by going for a wider shot with the subject in locked focus, and then do a slow down shot to show moments of enlightenment rather than cheesy double takes).

    There is a bigger story to tell here, this is for sure, and the story is definitely attention worthy, it simply needs to take a more credible route rather than this thing that I'm trying to watch. I will admit, the settings are beautiful, Toronto seems to have a flair for beautiful downtown scenery.

    As a Netflix viewer, I'm beginning to think that Netflix would have been better off with rebooting Futurama.    … Expand
  5. diegonelli
    Jan 26, 2016
    6
    Just watched the first 2 episodes. I've read all the books and I'm a big fan of the saga, and I have mixed feelings with this serie. First, I don't like the dialogues. They are all overacted. And the acting of Kat McNamara and Dominic Sherwood is awful. They changed a lot of things (for example, Dorothea being a good character. What!?!?) and added not necessary characters like Simon'sJust watched the first 2 episodes. I've read all the books and I'm a big fan of the saga, and I have mixed feelings with this serie. First, I don't like the dialogues. They are all overacted. And the acting of Kat McNamara and Dominic Sherwood is awful. They changed a lot of things (for example, Dorothea being a good character. What!?!?) and added not necessary characters like Simon's friend (don't remember her name). And why the Institute is ''public'' and ''modern'', wtf?!?!? Anyway there are some things I liked, for example the characters of Simon, Valentine and Isabelle. I'm not radical so I'm not going to leave this serie, I'll keep on watching it. I hope all the cast will get better.. :)… Expand
  6. KmOpinion
    Feb 3, 2016
    4
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. There is a reason why they note shows as being based on novels though in this case they should follow that up with loosely. To note some points in particular that are frustrating;

    - the connections between characters appear forced, affections for one another are not subtle and the chemistry that builds between characters is skipped,
    - stand offish scenes remind you you’re watching a show and bring you out of their world,
    - the fact Clary must have been dipped in a vat of nuclear waste to have that shade of orange for her hair,
    - there is a background to the plot we see developing yet at present it seems more attention is dedicated to the skimpy outfits of the girls and overly dramatic vampire teeth,
    - despite being a world with rich history everything seems to happen in some modern industrial setting with lots of piping.

    Some of the characters are played by actors that do justice to their roles such as Simon. The nature of the character comes through from the book and as he annoys me as much in the show as he does in the book for the same reasons which is ironically a good thing. Here’s hoping the others grow into their roles and fast.

    Episode 4 (latest) felt like it could have been more pivotal to the development of the narrative. Instead we basically learned that someone is making a transformation from lonely boy to demonic lonely boy, someone is denying their true colours and someone gets a pretty necklace. The episode felt short due to this.

    What we would like to see;
    - Clary be a strong female lead,
    - less pretty more gritty (Lets show this urban metropolis and demonic world for what it really is)
    - characters develop their relationships and chemistry in real time (stop fast tracking the love!)
    - a better understanding of the world of Shadowhunters,
    - less demonic raves,
    - more flow & less stop and stare,
    - more integration of the original plot line and sequence of events

    Its lacking yet still intriguing. Fingers crossed it improves from here and loses its cliché soap opera vibe.    … Expand
  7. HelenDowry
    Feb 23, 2016
    6
    As someone who read the books and saw the movie, I was quite hesitate to watch this series. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the cast and atmosphere/setting of the show. The casting was much better and the setting was darker and more fantasy-like while retaining the urban vibe of New York . As mentioned, the dialogue is laughable and mediocre at best and the pacing and camera shotsAs someone who read the books and saw the movie, I was quite hesitate to watch this series. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the cast and atmosphere/setting of the show. The casting was much better and the setting was darker and more fantasy-like while retaining the urban vibe of New York . As mentioned, the dialogue is laughable and mediocre at best and the pacing and camera shots are just all over the place. The show doesn't know what it wants to tell and what it doesn't so the scenes come across clunky like they shot them then threw them into a random order. It does have potential though if the show would draw a bit more from its source material (key events, key characters, dialogue, the whole fact that Shadowhunters don't understand modern technology which sets up so many opportunities for humor) and figure out the direction it wants to go. It also needs to be take itself more seriously; it isn't a kid's cartoon.
    Overall, I would say watch it if you enjoy ABC Family's other series and for existing TMI fans; don't expect a page by page adaption.    … Expand
  8. filmfanatic1
    Apr 1, 2016
    5
    The books depict the character to be fearsome and supernatural but still humane. They were always joking about and Jace, for example, had a sense of narcissism that was oddly attractive and it greatly added to his character. The characters, in my opinion (with the exception of Magnus and Isabelle) are rather boring and underplayed. This is not a dig at the actors of course, they do asThe books depict the character to be fearsome and supernatural but still humane. They were always joking about and Jace, for example, had a sense of narcissism that was oddly attractive and it greatly added to his character. The characters, in my opinion (with the exception of Magnus and Isabelle) are rather boring and underplayed. This is not a dig at the actors of course, they do as their told to do. Bring back the humour-- bring back the light and witty banter. You can still install the serious undertone of what's been happening but don't completely disregard the original book. I have nothing against how you've progressed 'Malec' rapidly because it draws in viewers and appeal to the kind of audience you're reaching out to. Small parts of script, such as Simon being turned into a rat, would've been a great addition to the 'humorous' aspect of the show.

    As much as I love the series and as much as I can see it's potential, the only characters that seem to fit their original profiles-- are Magnus and probably Simon. This is kind of disappointing.

    However, that being said, I want to give the show a chance to pick it up a notch and see if they can use feedback from fans and critics to further engage their audience. REMEMBER; the movie wasn't much of a hit either. This TV series has the potential to blow that **** out of the water.

    I WISH YOU THE BEST.    … Expand
  9. bookReader
    Jul 10, 2016
    5
    first of..i read and like the 6 books! was not disappointed by the movie as well. Then i learned of the TV Series. when you say book adaptation its like bringing the book into life by placing it in the screen, right? was a lil or massively disappointed by the jumping of storylines that Book 1&2 were a mix of season 1. where does Alec's wedding came out of the blue? i am not sure if itfirst of..i read and like the 6 books! was not disappointed by the movie as well. Then i learned of the TV Series. when you say book adaptation its like bringing the book into life by placing it in the screen, right? was a lil or massively disappointed by the jumping of storylines that Book 1&2 were a mix of season 1. where does Alec's wedding came out of the blue? i am not sure if it still the same book we/i read cos its actually confusing to have that bits and bobs of this and that like Maureen... if they want to shy away from what was originally written, i guess that the Original Book Author and the screen writer, should've done or do a serious talk on how it should be on TV... OTON, McNamara is good but please don't have that Bella (aka stewart) look. Hoping to be surprise on Season 2!… Expand
  10. Rooby03
    Jan 23, 2018
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I had great expectations from the show but I am really disasappointed watching it. I always anticipated what will coming (actions and dialogues) and I'm almost always right. There's no element of surprise. And I just can't stand the character or maybe the actress who plays the character of Clary Fray. She's not authentic at all. The first episodes, if the Lord didn't have mercy, I would not probably watch the following ones ! It was so cliche, nothing really special ! But it' has improved a little bit ! PS: Sorry for my English !… Expand

Awards & Rankings

8
#8 Most Discussed TV Season of 2016
86
#86 Most Shared TV Season of 2016

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
45

Mixed or average reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 9
  3. Negative: 5 out of 9
  1. We Got This Covered
    Reviewed by: Isaac Feldberg
    Jan 12, 2016
    30
    The pilot is so bloated, attempting as it does to relay all the rules of its fictional universe through nauseatingly clunky dialogue and disorienting time- and location-jumps (including some to freaking Chernobyl, where the series’ big bad has randomly chosen to camp out), that it’s difficult to make sense of anything going on, but here are the basics.
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  2. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Mary McNamara
    Jan 12, 2016
    40
    McNamara does her best, but Clary has been written as all breeze and no storm, which makes her central relationship with Jace more an algorithm of attractiveness than chemistry. Decter appears far more interested in Revelations than revelation, and in his rush to get to the "good stuff" he has forgotten that this kind of stuff is good only when it takes a while to get there.
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  3. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Lisa Weidenfeld
    Jan 12, 2016
    25
    Not even the directorial efforts of McG can salvage what’s happening here. There are some mild action sequences, but they don’t do much to elevate the proceedings.
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