The Midnight Gospel

:

Season 1
  • Network: Netflix
  • Series Premiere Date: Apr 20, 2020
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
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Critic Reviews

  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Darren Franich
    May 7, 2020
    100
    Gospel's not for kids, but it reflects the ecstatic innovations that made Adventure Time such a trip. Ward directs every episode and finds moments of religious astonishment alongside gloopy horror, all of it served with chatty humanism and palpable sweetness. ... The result is a new kind of masterpiece: easy to like, easier to worship.
  2. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Robert Lloyd
    Apr 20, 2020
    100
    It is an ambitious, extraordinary, dreadful, beautiful thing.
  3. IndieWire
    Reviewed by: Eric Kohn
    Apr 14, 2020
    100
    Every episode approaches sophisticated ideas while stuffing them into an astonishing psychedelic cartoon, so that “The Midnight Gospel” forces you to push beyond the distractions of its many moving parts and appreciate the substance at its core. The resulting trippy sci-fi adventure is a feast for the eyes and mind at once.
  5. The Guardian
    Reviewed by: Stuart Jeffries
    Apr 20, 2020
    80
    It is a little sentimental, but I am sure many viewers will be in tears watching the series.
  6. RogerEbert.com
    Reviewed by: Brian Tallerico
    Apr 23, 2020
    70
    It can be legitimately transcendent at times – Ward has so much creative energy that the frames burst with detail and Trussell is a great podcaster in terms of how much he truly engages with his subjects. It can also be damn overwhelming. I don’t recommend binging all eight because the onslaught of new age ideas and hyperactive visuals can be a bit much to take consecutively.
  7. Decider
    Reviewed by: Joel Keller
    Apr 21, 2020
    70
    It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but The Midnight Gospel is fascinatingly strange, and if you listen to what is actually talked about, you may come away with some insight into the human condition.
  8. Paste Magazine
    Reviewed by: Jacob Oller
    Apr 20, 2020
    62
    While there’s plenty of merit being preached in The Midnight Gospel, I don’t find the delivery method of its sermon particularly convincing, digestible, or enjoyable. But, hey, as someone who watched the show stone-cold sober, your religious mileage may vary.
  9. Collider
    Reviewed by: Dave Trumbore
    Apr 20, 2020
    40
    The Midnight Gospel lets Ward go nuts without any network censors or content restrictions, and the team over at Titmouse absolutely runs with it. So while the combination of creative talent behind the scenes is a winner, this new series is likely only going to appeal to the Adult Swim crowd.

Awards & Rankings

27
#27 Best TV Season of 2020
43
#43 Most Discussed TV Season of 2020
15
#15 Most Shared TV Season of 2020

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 60 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 49 out of 60
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 60
  3. Negative: 8 out of 60
  1. OlivierPiel
    May 1, 2020
    0
    I gave up 5 minutes in. I couldn't pass the neurotic navel-gazing and the insufferable spitfire inane dialogues.
  2. seel82
    Apr 24, 2020
    3
    This isn't particularly good, too bad cause it looks like it has all the tools to be. But it just isn't. There's no coherence, no story, andThis isn't particularly good, too bad cause it looks like it has all the tools to be. But it just isn't. There's no coherence, no story, and no reason to care about the discussion.… Full Review »
  3. SimboTheKing
    May 2, 2020
    8
    The midnight gospel is a trippy animation that explores many philosophical topics such as death and spirituality. It is clearly influenced byThe midnight gospel is a trippy animation that explores many philosophical topics such as death and spirituality. It is clearly influenced by psycedelics both in its topics and its animation. I must say that I quite like the show but I can see it not being for everyone. Some episodes are very new-age spirituality so if you're not into that scene it's probably worth skipping.

    Personally, it connected with me as I'm into this sort of culture and although some episodes didn't connect (episode 3 off the top of my head) I think there is some important lessons to be found in this series. It reminds me of Adult Swim cartoons which is in no ways a bad thing. The animation is gorgeous and the music is really good. Overall, I'd say this is a far from perfect series but it feels earnest and has enough going for it that I'd recommend it to anyone who is interested in experimental and trippy shows.    … Full Review »
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