The Looming Tower

:

Season 1
  • Network: HULU
  • Series Premiere Date: Feb 28, 2018
User Score
5.7

Mixed or average reviews- based on 104 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 57 out of 104
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 104
  3. Negative: 40 out of 104
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User Reviews

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  1. thenewdimenshun
    Mar 5, 2018
    0
    I must be watching a different show than the one that this user below is watching (it's literally one user, creating multiple accounts, saying the same exact thing). This should be more carefully monitored. Anyways, onto the show itself. I loved the trailer and the book this was based on so I was really looking forward to this. Unfortunately, the show doesn't add up. I'm not totally sureI must be watching a different show than the one that this user below is watching (it's literally one user, creating multiple accounts, saying the same exact thing). This should be more carefully monitored. Anyways, onto the show itself. I loved the trailer and the book this was based on so I was really looking forward to this. Unfortunately, the show doesn't add up. I'm not totally sure why I'm not liking Jeff Daniels in this. It might be that he's just in too many television shows now, and I'm a little bored with his performance. It's pretty much the same kind of character in all of his shows, and it's not the standout role that I thought it would be for me. I know it's cliche to say the book is better than the show...but the book IS much better than the show. I really don't enjoy how they switched the narrative to more of an American focus. Not a fan. I saw all three eps, but I struggled to get through them. I read that there are 7 more...how? I think three episodes in, I'm ready to quit watching. Too bad as I was looking forward to this.… Expand
  2. tatianasorrey
    Mar 5, 2018
    1
    I went into this expecting the most - and it did not deliver. The ensemble cast was underused in this format, and I found the story extremely boring after just two episodes. The premise was promising, but it just does not deliver. I won't be watching the rest.
  3. ellamarsh
    Mar 5, 2018
    1
    Seriously, though. What was HULU thinking? Off the superb success of Handmaiden's Tale, this seemed like an afterthought. I felt like I was watching people argue in various offices, over various spaces of time. Over and over. About events we already have immense knowledge of. About a topic that has been done and re-done. The characters were grating - you have the genius Stuhlbarg, andSeriously, though. What was HULU thinking? Off the superb success of Handmaiden's Tale, this seemed like an afterthought. I felt like I was watching people argue in various offices, over various spaces of time. Over and over. About events we already have immense knowledge of. About a topic that has been done and re-done. The characters were grating - you have the genius Stuhlbarg, and that's what you do to him? Where is his justice?! I stopped after two episodes, maybe others can handle more.… Expand
  4. sarahlee
    Mar 1, 2018
    3
    From the initial episode, it largely reads as just another dry procedural. Acting is sub-par, and on the nose. It also does not measure up to the book at all, as it largely focuses on the Americans. Major thumbs down.
  5. fashionfocused0
    Mar 5, 2018
    1
    Ten years ago, this show might have made sense (and been more appealing). Now, with so much great television available, it's too easy to pick and choose. I thought I would like this (it has a big-name cast and is based off an excellent book), but I'm just totally bored by it. Some people might like that kind of thing, and I totally get it. But there is so much more exciting and energeticTen years ago, this show might have made sense (and been more appealing). Now, with so much great television available, it's too easy to pick and choose. I thought I would like this (it has a big-name cast and is based off an excellent book), but I'm just totally bored by it. Some people might like that kind of thing, and I totally get it. But there is so much more exciting and energetic and unique television on right now that I can't see myself sticking with this for too much longer.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

60
#60 Best TV Season of 2018
25
#25 Most Discussed TV Season of 2018

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. The Atlantic
    Reviewed by: Sophie Gilbert
    Mar 1, 2018
    80
    The Looming Tower is a taut, tense restaging of the internecine squabbles between the FBI and the CIA in the lead-up to 9/11.
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  2. RogerEbert.com
    Reviewed by: Brian Tallerico
    Feb 28, 2018
    80
    Every time The Looming Tower threatens to spin off into melodrama completely, the cast (and talented directors) find a way to ground it. Ultimately, The Looming Tower is a dissection of incompetence, and how lack of communication and teamwork led to an international tragedy. It’s just complicated enough to feel historically accurate but not to push out viewers. In that sense, it balances historical commentary with what we still need from television most of all, whether it’s on cable or Hulu: entertainment.
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  3. Vox.com
    Reviewed by: Emily VanDerWerff
    Feb 28, 2018
    80
    The Looming Tower, despite its high stakes and its ostensibly true story (though many details have been changed), is a cop show. A really well-done cop show, admittedly, but a cop show. And more power to it.
    Read full review
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