Station Eleven

HBO Max | Release Date: December 16, 2021

6.8	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 46 Ratings

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shoulderoforionDec 16, 2021

Station Eleven is right up my alley, a true dystopian "after" world crafted and expansive. I'm digging the first three episodes immensely, the cast is top notch (though I really could have done without the Laura Petty again), and the storyStation Eleven is right up my alley, a true dystopian "after" world crafted and expansive. I'm digging the first three episodes immensely, the cast is top notch (though I really could have done without the Laura Petty again), and the story is fascinating. Getting shades of The Stand and I'll be eagerly awaiting next weeks installment, wish I could binge the whole season right meow.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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VicFerrariJan 14, 2022

Something different, something special. Great world building, particularly the costume design for the travelling symphony. Dares to be poetic and pulls it off. Like Devs, and Tales From the Loop this is science fiction for adults. More likeSomething different, something special. Great world building, particularly the costume design for the travelling symphony. Dares to be poetic and pulls it off. Like Devs, and Tales From the Loop this is science fiction for adults. More like this please.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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frankrog29Feb 5, 2022

Station Eleven is an extremely imaginative miniseries about overcoming trauma and reconciling with the past. In the miniseries, a flu has wiped out the vast majority of Earth’s population. Station Eleven follows around multiple charactersStation Eleven is an extremely imaginative miniseries about overcoming trauma and reconciling with the past. In the miniseries, a flu has wiped out the vast majority of Earth’s population. Station Eleven follows around multiple characters whose lives are seemingly unrelated or only have tenuous connections with one another, but (almost) all of their fates intertwine in the end. Each of the characters is running away from a painful past. Though the characters find themselves in extraordinary circumstances, they’re still normal people dealing with average, everyday problems. The miniseries follows these characters as they gradually come to accept their painful pasts and presents and move on. Having been based on the novel of the same name, Station Eleven is very novelistic in that the characters are highly developed, vivid, and stuck in their ways, yet they change over the course of the story arc. The plot is highly inventive and often suspenseful. Much praise to Emily St. John Mandel, who wrote the novel. I will say that the miniseries contains too many scenes that attempt to be touching and profound but just come off as sappy. These scenes get to be a bit much by the ninth or tenth episode. Though it’s very smart, visionary, and entertaining, Station Eleven should have tried to stay away from hitting viewers over the head with maudlin scenes. After all, we are able to feel moved without being beaten over the head with melodrama.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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NobodyYouKnowJan 14, 2022

SE is an emotionally engaging story that only occasionally falters. Everything -- acting, direction, production -- is executed very well. Mackenzie Davis and Matilda Lawler are excellent as Kirsten, and Himesh Patel is totally believable asSE is an emotionally engaging story that only occasionally falters. Everything -- acting, direction, production -- is executed very well. Mackenzie Davis and Matilda Lawler are excellent as Kirsten, and Himesh Patel is totally believable as the good-hearted but marginally competent Jeevan. Their relationship when Kirsten is young is quite interesting, and while the two are given lots of screen time, I wish we saw more of the later period when their relationship slowly deteriorates. This series is *entirely* about the human condition, so don't expect spaceships or zombies.

What kept this from being a 10 for me were the moments of heavy-handed metaphor and unrealistically poetic dialogue -- think The Walking Dead. There's also the Walking Dead-esque practice of coming up with some silly-sounding shorthand to presumably show how much the world has changed post-pandemic -- I'm looking at you, "The Before" ("pre-pan" and "post-pan", sure... but "The Before"? [eye roll]).

********* SPOILER ALERT *********
One minor disappointment was the way the story set up The Prophet to be a deeply disturbed, menacing character only to find that he was really just kinda sad. I actually liked how his character turned out, but the setup felt disingenuous.
********* END SPOILER ALERT *********

Those quibbles aside, there was more than one moment that elicited tears from me, so the story definitely connected emotionally. While the ending ties up loose ends, it feels like there could definitely be more exploration of this world, especially given the impact of The Prophet on the children. But regardless of whether it all ends with just this season, it's an excellent watch.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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Dee-Jay_DeliDec 30, 2021

Interesting, albeit slow new take on the post-apocalypse.

Unfortunately it's lacking an egaging central mystery to keep me hooked. Let's see how long I'll keep watching...

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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bob516Dec 25, 2021

After five episodes it is a strange combination of some emotionally powerful moments, and other that range from meh to poorly done. I hope it ends well.

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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GossgabeJan 10, 2022

It's no question one of the best shows I've ever seen. The haters have brain damage

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

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johnxreedDec 28, 2021

I watched 3 episodes and was really enjoying the acting, directing and cinematography but then the w*keness began. I just can’t watch the show anymore. What a shame.

3 of 15 users found this helpful312

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VancomycinJan 12, 2022

Chaotic, fragmented and disjointed, this is the kind of show with a bright post-apocalyptic storyline promise that falls flat on it’s face in execution. With multiple plot and timelines all woven together I found it difficult to emotionallyChaotic, fragmented and disjointed, this is the kind of show with a bright post-apocalyptic storyline promise that falls flat on it’s face in execution. With multiple plot and timelines all woven together I found it difficult to emotionally connect with any of the characters, whose acting was startlingly bland. Especially given the fact that these were actors playing actors. Looks like there should’ve been lessons all around.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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truerockDec 30, 2021

Interesting take on the post-apocalyptic genre. Some of the casting and acting was good.
Mackenzie Davis turned out a very good performance and was well cast for her role.
Other casting was like the budget overran and they had to go cheap -Interesting take on the post-apocalyptic genre. Some of the casting and acting was good.
Mackenzie Davis turned out a very good performance and was well cast for her role.
Other casting was like the budget overran and they had to go cheap - yet any high school drama club has better actors... so, always very strange why that happens. Clearly casting, acting and writing did not align in many places.

Episode 5, The Severn City Airport, is my favorite episode... I almost always enjoy David Wilmot's acting.

Daniel Zovatto is an interesting casting choice as "The Prophet" and he does a very good job. I wouldn't have thought to cast him in the role - but, it really works in an interesting way.

I was thinking of rating this a 7 (or even an 8) - but, just too many bad actors strangely cast in minor roles. Perhaps casting directors think minor roles are not important so they carelessly cast the minor roles?

I'm going to go read the professional reviews for some possible insight as to what was going on.

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Having thought about it for a while...

I think a major problem with Station Eleven was Himesh Patel as Jeevan Chaudhary (the audience member who takes care of Kirten the night of the pandemic and for the next several months). Himesh Patel fulfilled the role at an acceptable level. It is just that it was a critical role, and it should have been cast differently with a better actor. I think Himesh is fairly good actor - but, he messed up the series - in my humble opinion.… Expand