The Chi: Season 1

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 22 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 51 Ratings

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5.8

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5.8	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 51 Ratings

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The Chi

Now Playing: The Chi

Season Details & Credits

Paramount+ with Showtime | Season Premiere Date: January 7, 2018

Summary: The coming-of-age drama from Common, Elwood Reid, and Lena Waithe follows a group of residents in the South Side of Chicago including Brandon (Jason Mitchell), who dreams of opening up a restaurant with his girlfriend (Tiffany Boone) but is torn by his responsibilities toward his younger brother Coogie (Jahking Guillory) and their alcoholicThe coming-of-age drama from Common, Elwood Reid, and Lena Waithe follows a group of residents in the South Side of Chicago including Brandon (Jason Mitchell), who dreams of opening up a restaurant with his girlfriend (Tiffany Boone) but is torn by his responsibilities toward his younger brother Coogie (Jahking Guillory) and their alcoholic mother (Sonja Sohn); 13-tear-old Kevin (Alex Hibbert) who finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time; and Jada (Yolonda Ross) a single mother to her son Emmett (Jacob Latimore).… Expand

Creator: Lena Waithe

Genre(s): Drama

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Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E13. Past Due
Air Date: April 21, 2019
tbd
S1:E12. Every Day Im Hustlin
Air Date: April 14, 2019
tbd
S1:E11. Eruptions
Air Date: April 7, 2019

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Critic Reviews

Uncle Barky Ed Bark

Jan 8, 2018

Whether young, old or in-between, all of these characters resonate in their own distinct ways as The Chi builds both momentum and suspense. This is no small achievement for Waithe, whose first TV series under her direct control is bursting with flavor and humanity in a South Chicago proving ground. The footing is always slippery, but the storytelling remains bracingly sure-footed. Read full review

Glenn Garvin

Jan 6, 2018

At the center of The Chi's large and immensely talented ensemble class is Jason Mitchell (Mudbound) playing Brandon, a chef who daydreams about opening a restaurant of his own with girlfriend Jerrika (Tiffany Boone, The Following) while trying to slow the steady slide of his mother Laverne (Sonja Sohn, The Wire) in alcoholism. Read full review

Brian Lowry

Jan 5, 2018

Absorbing and organic from practically the get-go, The Chi will inevitably draw comparisons to "The Wire," the definitive drama about the perils of inner-city life. Yet this richly detailed look at intersecting paths, cutting across generations, quickly carves its own niche, one where tragedy begets tragedy, and vengeance comes with consequences. Read full review

James Poniewozik

Jan 4, 2018

There is a police story, which moves slowly at the periphery and is so far not too distinctive. But in its best moments, The Chi offers a glimpse of the sort of stories these characters might live in if circumstance didn’t make them players in a murder case. Read full review

John Anderson

Jan 4, 2018

The execution, so to speak, is not always subtle--Mr. Famuyiwa creates moments of gritty poetry, while other episodes are more bluntly propulsive; some of the dialogue is beyond pedestrian. But there’s a wealth of acting talent being showcased on Showtime, and a number of performances that, as has been said about Chicago itself, won’t let you down. Read full review

Hank Stuever

Jan 4, 2018

Progressing with a crime-focused story arc that struggles to cohere, The Chi is much better when it transpires in livings rooms and kitchens instead of alleys and poorly lit sidewalks. Read full review

Michael Haigis

Mar 20, 2018

For a series called The Chi, there’s remarkably little here that lends a sense of specificity or a deeper view into the machinations of Chicago’s South Side--or even where in that expansive area the story is unfolding. Read full review

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User Reviews

otaku00

Jan 8, 2019

Watched all 10 episodes. Great show! Yes, the dialogue for the children is a bit too adult - but funny. It works, the boy with the glasses is a comedian. And watch out for Birgundi Angel Baker, what a stunning beauty and talent, playing Keisha. Interesting characters, a good mix of modernWatched all 10 episodes. Great show! Yes, the dialogue for the children is a bit too adult - but funny. It works, the boy with the glasses is a comedian. And watch out for Birgundi Angel Baker, what a stunning beauty and talent, playing Keisha. Interesting characters, a good mix of modern music, emotional drama and action.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

dell221

Jan 24, 2018

i really wanted to like this show but its plagued by some very bad acting. the kids are just terible in this show. i dont know who's idea it was for kids to do this much cursing and for them to take in adult commentary. i thought this would be between the wire and power but its neither ofi really wanted to like this show but its plagued by some very bad acting. the kids are just terible in this show. i dont know who's idea it was for kids to do this much cursing and for them to take in adult commentary. i thought this would be between the wire and power but its neither of those shows. its far worse. the main character is always over act icing on small parts and trying to turn them into big ones for no reason. i watched every episode so far hoping that this show will get better but so far it hasn't… Expand

2 of 6 users found this helpful24

binger55

Feb 14, 2018

I gave this show a shot and was completely underwhelmed. It was formulaic and stereotypical. Did it bother anyone else that all of the characters were wearing perfect outfits? Expensive, impeccably clean and pressed? It was like the wardrobe department didn't get the memo that the show wasI gave this show a shot and was completely underwhelmed. It was formulaic and stereotypical. Did it bother anyone else that all of the characters were wearing perfect outfits? Expensive, impeccably clean and pressed? It was like the wardrobe department didn't get the memo that the show was being set on Chicago's south side, where money would be tight. The swearing by the young kids seemed forced and unnecessary. Oh did I mention that every student had a brand new back pack? This lack of realism completely distracted me from the plot. One episode was enough for me.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

NavyBean

Feb 8, 2018

I also really wanted to like this show. But it just doesn't work. At times over acted, most times poorly acted and badly contrived storytelling bring it down. Emotional beats don't land and the characters are wooden and not unique or compelling enough to inspire me to watch more than theI also really wanted to like this show. But it just doesn't work. At times over acted, most times poorly acted and badly contrived storytelling bring it down. Emotional beats don't land and the characters are wooden and not unique or compelling enough to inspire me to watch more than the first few episodes.… Expand

2 of 6 users found this helpful24

Seasons & Episodes

73

Series Overview
Season 8

tbd
- Season 8 Overview
  Air Date: May 22, 2026
Season 7

tbd
- Season 7 Overview
  Air Date: May 16, 2025
Season 6

tbd
- Season 6 Overview
  Air Date: August 4, 2023
Season 5

tbd
- Season 5 Overview
  Air Date: June 26, 2022
Season 4

tbd
- Season 4 Overview
  Air Date: May 23, 2021
Season 3

tbd
- Season 3 Overview
  Air Date: June 21, 2020
Season 2

tbd
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: April 7, 2019
Season 1

73
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: January 7, 2018
- tbd
  S1:E13. Past Due
  Air Date: April 21, 2019
- tbd
  S1:E12. Every Day Im Hustlin
  Air Date: April 14, 2019
- tbd
  S1:E11. Eruptions
  Air Date: April 7, 2019
- tbd
  S1:E10. Ease on Down the Road
  Air Date: March 18, 2018
- tbd
  S1:E9. Namaste Muthaf**ka
  Air Date: March 11, 2018
- tbd
  S1:E8. Wallets
  Air Date: March 4, 2018
- tbd
  S1:E7. The Whistle
  Air Date: February 25, 2018
- tbd
  S1:E6. Penetrate a Fraud
  Air Date: February 18, 2018
- tbd
  S1:E5. Today Was a Good Day
  Air Date: February 11, 2018
- tbd
  S1:E4. Quaking Grass
  Air Date: January 28, 2018
- tbd
  S1:E3. Ghosts
  Air Date: January 21, 2018
- tbd
  S1:E2. Alee
  Air Date: January 14, 2018
- tbd
  S1:E1. Pilot
  Air Date: January 7, 2018