Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 14
  2. Negative: 2 out of 14

Critic Reviews

  1. Reviewed by: Mark A. Perigard
    Jul 21, 2014
    83
    If The Lottery can keep up the promise of its premiere, it will punch a winning ticket.
  2. Reviewed by: David Hinckley
    Jul 21, 2014
    80
    Creator Timothy Sexton has woven this story with a master’s touch, making us care about the characters even as we fear for their lives. Or, for that matter, all our lives.
  3. Reviewed by: Jeff Korbelik
    Jul 21, 2014
    75
    The pilot is a little uneven. There’s a villain (played by Martin Donovan) within the government, but his agenda is extremely unclear, and the story of the recovering alcoholic dad seems to have little connection to the lottery. Still, the premise is intriguing--a “what if” kind of science fiction story that makes you think.
  4. Reviewed by: Diane Werts
    Jul 17, 2014
    75
    The Lottery, with otherwise sage setup and promising performances, merits its own shot at something great.
  5. Reviewed by: Robert Lloyd
    Jul 21, 2014
    70
    The action is active, the suspense tense, the actors game. It seems a little silly at times, but meet it halfway and the hour passes painlessly.
  6. Reviewed by: Neil Genzlinger
    Jul 18, 2014
    70
    The premise sets it apart, the premiere promises a lot of plot wrinkles and a fast pace, and the acting (with a few exceptions) is decent.
  7. Reviewed by: Allison Keene
    Jul 18, 2014
    70
    Its pilot was a solid start, although, despite the intriguing premise, the episode also raised a greater number of questions--more about logic than the show's mythology--than it answered.
User Score
6.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 39 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 39
  2. Negative: 7 out of 39
  1. Sep 23, 2014
    3
    When i first saw the preview of The Lottery, i was dying to watch it. I do understand that embryo will "change" the world but COME ON!!!!!When i first saw the preview of The Lottery, i was dying to watch it. I do understand that embryo will "change" the world but COME ON!!!!! WHERE IS THE SUSPENSE!!?? why whenever i watch an episode i'm not eager to watch the next one.
    This is Boring show.
    Full Review »
  2. Jul 28, 2014
    8
    the pace on this show reminds me one of those z movies... it's kind of bad that it turns to be sooooo god damn good... and i dont know if itthe pace on this show reminds me one of those z movies... it's kind of bad that it turns to be sooooo god damn good... and i dont know if it was supposed to be like that, maybe its Marley Shelton since her character in Planet Terror... this is a slightly upgrade version of the doctor she played in robert rodriguez grindhouse part... i can only say i'm addicted... Full Review »
  3. Jul 28, 2014
    4
    I really want to like this tv show and again another good idea with bad execution. The most important things in the whole country but getI really want to like this tv show and again another good idea with bad execution. The most important things in the whole country but get deleted which doesn't make sense. Too many holes. Full Review »