The Man in the High Castle

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Season 1
Season #: 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 360 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 273 out of 360
  2. Mixed: 34 out of 360
  3. Negative: 53 out of 360
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User Reviews

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  1. sheepshark
    Dec 11, 2015
    5
    The tone is too somber, starting with the music of the opening credits. Through 10 episodes, I already feel like wheels are turning, but nothing is happening. Rufus Sewell is excellent as the Nazi commander, better than you might think. He was cast perfectly because he has that hard, unforgiving look, but he also plays some scenes with surprising tenderness. I wish there was more BurnThe tone is too somber, starting with the music of the opening credits. Through 10 episodes, I already feel like wheels are turning, but nothing is happening. Rufus Sewell is excellent as the Nazi commander, better than you might think. He was cast perfectly because he has that hard, unforgiving look, but he also plays some scenes with surprising tenderness. I wish there was more Burn Gorman as the Marshall. That character is the best part, but even those scenes seem to move slow. I like shows with political intrigue, Battlestar Galactica for example. But I like when the intrigue is metaphorical of real-life current events. Maybe I'm too dense, but I don't see that here. I suppose I'll keep watching when they continue the series. I'm convinced that there will be some magical, sci-fi/fantasy, parallel universe reveal that makes the whole story pay off. I just don't know how long I want to wait for it, and I'm sure I'll be disappointed.… Expand
  2. Mr_Maldoror
    Nov 22, 2015
    4
    It was an enjoyable ride for the first nine episodes, and completely fell apart at its finale which seemed to cop out of a lot of things to leave room for a possible second season. Originally a 7.5 but the finale brought it down to a 4.
  3. FredinToronto
    Nov 28, 2015
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I don't want give any spoilers here which makes it difficult to write this review. I can say that the dystopian premise was effectively disturbing. The 10 episodes felt much like reading a graphic novel. I was disappointed with the lazy script writing. Unreal coincidences can be forgiven in a graphic novel but why were the main characters so "stupid"? For example, why didn't Frank pick up the money as he was escaping from .... If you saw the series you know what I am talking about. And the ending! Don't get me started!!!… Expand
  4. Lalaland_ger
    Jan 7, 2016
    6
    If the characters would be half as interesting as the setting of the world is, the show could be fantastisch. It is the biggest amount of giving away opportunities per minute. All the time you think, this could have been done better. Symptomatic for the partly bad production: if you let your actors speak german, it should sound like real german but if you let Hitler speak german, it has toIf the characters would be half as interesting as the setting of the world is, the show could be fantastisch. It is the biggest amount of giving away opportunities per minute. All the time you think, this could have been done better. Symptomatic for the partly bad production: if you let your actors speak german, it should sound like real german but if you let Hitler speak german, it has to be german without any english accent or let him speak english for gods sake but dont make such a Scheiße!… Expand
  5. c700
    Dec 29, 2015
    5
    The series in itself is okay, but its effect on people is what worries me. This alternative history scenario was extremely unlikely to happen (since at the peak of the war the Nazis already had problems managing the german territories, poland, russia, skandinavia and france). So this kind of angst-fuelled nightmare is just the right excuse for conservative american patriots to praise theThe series in itself is okay, but its effect on people is what worries me. This alternative history scenario was extremely unlikely to happen (since at the peak of the war the Nazis already had problems managing the german territories, poland, russia, skandinavia and france). So this kind of angst-fuelled nightmare is just the right excuse for conservative american patriots to praise the USA over the top, without adressing its issues, and use the pretense as a need for LESS guncontrol. That is why, politically, this series is not correct. Because let's be honest here. We both know here what the target-audience is.… Expand
  6. unitdwestn
    Sep 27, 2018
    5
    If you are a critical thinker you will soon get bored with this series. As one reviewer stated it's full of plot holes, delves into the metaphysical, and requires a LOT of suspension of disbelief. I'm always disappointed when an interesting scenario is ruined by what can only be described as lazy writing. The blend of reality and metaphysics just doesn't work for me. The film doesIf you are a critical thinker you will soon get bored with this series. As one reviewer stated it's full of plot holes, delves into the metaphysical, and requires a LOT of suspension of disbelief. I'm always disappointed when an interesting scenario is ruined by what can only be described as lazy writing. The blend of reality and metaphysics just doesn't work for me. The film does have its good points such as the acting and the computer generated scenery.

    Edited to add: As another review posted earlier, the character Juliana IS annoying as are others at various points in the series, but I attribute that to a poor script.    … Expand
  7. Solar_Macharius
    Jan 10, 2017
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Based on the book by Philip L. Dick, The Man in the High Castle (MHC) is about an alternate universe in which the Japanese Empire and Nazi Germany have won the Second World War.

    As a lover of history, I really wanted to like this program. But mid way through the second season my will is faltering.

    Whilst some of the actors, such as Rufus Sewell and Cari-Hiroyuki Tagawa, who play Nazi 'Obergruppenführer' John Smith and Japanese Trade Minister Nobosuke Tagomi respectively, are great actors, the two/three (who knows?!) leads of the show, Alexa Davalos playing Juliana Crane, Luke Kleintank as Joe Blake and Rupert Evans as Frank Frink are completely flat and I struggled to muster any sympathy for these dour, self loathing characters. Only late into the second season do Frank and Joe become slightly more likeable as their characters begin to gain any semblance of purpose.

    However, more so, it is the pacing of the show that hurts it the most. Almost every episode is completely forgettable, with very interesting story lines including assassinations, espionage and the simple struggles of daily life under the Japanese/Nazis lost behind long, drawn out conversations from our leads about . . . .nothing, really. And this is without going into the over arching story behind the 'films', of which even Hitler himself is trying to find, and where alternative history seems to blend with sci-fi which will leave even the most ardent fans lost and confused and needing to read the plot online for it make sense.

    Overall, whilst the theme is very interesting and the first few episode lure you in with a sense of wonder, these initial hopes are pretty much for naught. The slow pacing, confusing story line, with a whole lot of 'that's it?!' moments, will leave you wondering why this show has got such recognition.

    5/10 Would only recommend to those who can handle a very, very slow burn story.    … Expand
  8. Poochingus
    Nov 20, 2019
    6
    Decent enough show. When I had nothing else to watch I finally put it on. What is clear from the start is that the skill of acting between some of the cast is like night and day. Most of the acting is middling from the core cast, which is a shame. At first I put it off as the characters themselves being still in their young and unshapen forms. But as the characters developed, the actingDecent enough show. When I had nothing else to watch I finally put it on. What is clear from the start is that the skill of acting between some of the cast is like night and day. Most of the acting is middling from the core cast, which is a shame. At first I put it off as the characters themselves being still in their young and unshapen forms. But as the characters developed, the acting did not reflect the words coming out of their mouths. They still felt like children, and infact the female lead's character never seemed to grow much or change. Everyone else thankfully did go through real character development.

    The biggest problem with the premise I think is that it feels a little too silly at times, and I sometimes found myself asking the question of "but would it really be that way?" We all like to sit around and ask "what if" about history or in our own lives. The premise is a bit hard to get over without great story telling, and it just doesn't quite pull it off for me. Still, It is worth a watch if you aren't picky like me, and even if you are somewhat picky, it is good to put on in the background while doing chores.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

52
#52 Best TV Season of 2015
18
#18 Most Discussed TV Season of 2015
26
#26 Most Shared TV Season of 2015

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 30
  3. Negative: 0 out of 30
  1. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Michael Starr
    Dec 8, 2015
    63
    The series, in large part, fails to deliver on its fascinating premise. Simply put, it’s plodding, moves at a glacial pace and overreaches with too many diffuse narrative strands.
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  2. Sioux City Journal
    Reviewed by: Bruce Miller
    Nov 23, 2015
    80
    Directed by David Semel, the first episode (now available on Amazon) sets a visual tone that immediately sets this apart from other thrillers.... By the second episode, you’ll want to know who’s really good and who’s bad and how the latter will meet their untimely deaths.
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  3. We Got This Covered
    Reviewed by: Isaac Feldberg
    Nov 23, 2015
    90
    The first six episodes (all those provided to press ahead of release) consistently surprise in how they deepen those characters and weave their journeys together.
    Read full review
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