The OA

:

Season 1
  • Network: Netflix
  • Series Premiere Date: Dec 16, 2016
Season #: 2, 1
Metascore
61

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 17
  3. Negative: 3 out of 17
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Critic Reviews

  1. Yahoo TV
    Reviewed by: Ken Tucker
    Dec 16, 2016
    60
    I have to give Marling and Batmanglij credit: I don’t usually have much patience for humorless, convoluted hooey like this, but their narrative pacing, and some of the performances ... are enthusiastically committed and effective.
  2. The Daily Beast
    Reviewed by: Melissa Leon
    Dec 16, 2016
    50
    It unfurls slowly (so, so slowly, especially in its early episodes) into a cerebral sci-fi mystery not quite as compelling as it’s convinced it is.
  3. Time
    Reviewed by: Daniel D'Addario
    Dec 16, 2016
    40
    It’s a winter binge suited for die-hards, but the viewer who needs a boost (character development, clear storytelling) to enter an imagined world will find the series a tough sit.
  5. Variety
    Reviewed by: Sonia Saraiya
    Dec 16, 2016
    40
    It is, on some level, more than enough that "The OA" tries so hard and with such sincerity. "The OA" is fascinating and adventurous, both with formal limitations like episode runtime and narrative experimentation. ... But "The OA" is offering a story that cannot be thought about too deeply without falling quickly to pieces.

Awards & Rankings

7
#7 Most Discussed TV Season of 2016
30
#30 Most Shared TV Season of 2016

User Reviews

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User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 389 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 286 out of 389
  2. Mixed: 30 out of 389
  3. Negative: 73 out of 389
  1. Rackjaw
    Dec 16, 2016
    2
    I just watched the first episode with a few friends and at around the 30 minute mark we were openly mocking the show's terrible acting andI just watched the first episode with a few friends and at around the 30 minute mark we were openly mocking the show's terrible acting and writing. If Netflix keeps putting out mediocre shows like this one the "Netflix Original" brand will mean nothing.… Full Review »
  2. Gilvie
    Jan 5, 2017
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. Didn't know you could stop a mass shooting using interpretative dance. Thanks for the tip OA. As some have noted, this series begins promisingly, but around the halfway mark the wheels start to come off. I wish they had stuck with an examination of the psychological ramifications of long term captivity. Or the nature of consciousness. Or an intelligent discussion of the possibility of life after death. Or some other equally worthy topic. Instead, The OA devolves into a confusing, pretentious and increasingly improbable mess. Watch Stranger Things instead. It's just as goofy, but doesn't make the mistake of taking itself quite so seriously.… Full Review »
  3. Azeriel
    Dec 21, 2016
    3
    The OA is what happened when the director and writer think their show is much edgier and deeper than it actually is. It started strong withThe OA is what happened when the director and writer think their show is much edgier and deeper than it actually is. It started strong with its intrigue and mystery, but ended up with a bitter taste due to a disjointed and non-sensical ending on season 1. It's borderline offensive to anyone with a brain and frankly a waste of time.… Full Review »
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