The OA

:

Season 1
  • Network: Netflix
  • Series Premiere Date: Dec 16, 2016
Season #: 2, 1
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
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User Reviews

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  1. Sojum
    Dec 23, 2016
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I'm still not sure what this show was supposed to be. There's the literal possibility that OA is an angel, that something truly supernatural is happening. There's a schizophrenic interpretation. A hostage scenario interpretation. Enough possibilities to keep me watching. But the end left me scratching my head as to what the makers had in mind, in no small part due to the silly dance that either had no affect or an indirect one at best. I laughed out loud but wasn't sure I was supposed to. There's no insight into what really happened to OA beyond the cheap Deus Ex box of books that borrows somewhat from The Usual Suspects' twist. But is it a twist? If I figure it out I'll up the rating.… Expand
  2. GunnerMcDagget
    Dec 28, 2016
    5
    The OA is slow to start but eventually reaches its stride. By the 2nd last episode you're hooked and it feels like it's leading to massive climax. Then the last episode happens and it falls flat on its face. A vague and somewhat ridiculous ending ruined an otherwise entertaining series.
  3. JorgeLestre
    Apr 6, 2017
    5
    My problem with 'The OA' is simple: the show tries so hard to prove a point in slow motion that it destroys its structure. Despite Marling's interesting performance and some very beautiful imagery, The episodes are painful to watch due to the amount of time we feel completely lost in the narrative. It also gets worse when it tries to combine science with religion... there is a reason whyMy problem with 'The OA' is simple: the show tries so hard to prove a point in slow motion that it destroys its structure. Despite Marling's interesting performance and some very beautiful imagery, The episodes are painful to watch due to the amount of time we feel completely lost in the narrative. It also gets worse when it tries to combine science with religion... there is a reason why the two don't meet and it's better to leave them separated from each other.… Expand
  4. eagleeyeviking
    Jan 31, 2017
    5
    The pacing is appropriately subdued and the acting fine across the board. However, The OA's intellectual reach exceeds it's grasp, with a narrative that, while interesting and thought-provoking, only seems to be interested in asking questions without actually answering them. Plus, the finale...
  5. ozymandias79
    Dec 30, 2016
    4
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Not sure why people would give the The OA a high rating. Overall, it was kind of a dumb show. The acting is okay, and a well acted bad show is better than a poorly acted good show. Was hoping Brit Marling's character was nuts, so the ending wasn't a surprise, but the plot was underdeveloped and the ending was very poorly executed. Netflix producers should read the script of the final episode before green lighting projects.… Expand
  6. Moo-vies
    Dec 26, 2016
    6
    I enjoyed the five or so first episodes before the excellent storytelling gave way to far too much ludicrous new age renewal stuff shoved down the spectator's throat with an avalanche effect. Even despite the interrogations about the revealed story.

    Too bad it all kinda fell apart. The cinematography of the first episodes was really, really good and made you accept the story itself    I enjoyed the five or so first episodes before the excellent storytelling gave way to far too much ludicrous new age renewal stuff shoved down the spectator's throat with an avalanche effect. Even despite the interrogations about the revealed story.

    Too bad it all kinda fell apart. The cinematography of the first episodes was really, really good and made you accept the story itself along with impeccable storytelling.

    But everything is so rushed up in the last three that this aspect disappears, the characters arcs are then totally underdeveloped or magically resolved and the conclusion is rushed and just ... "meh, seen this before and it's lazy".
    It left me disappointed and bored in the end.

    Citing the inspirations of the show probably gives too much information on what to expect, so try to avoid the reviews that go too much in the details. The opinions on the OA are extreme so you will probably know very quick if you want to see more or not.    … Expand
  7. thinbrownduke
    Dec 27, 2016
    6
    ARGGGGH. I made an account just to write this review. Offensively overacted. Shallow, tepid, wooden or inflammatory characters. Tone deaf to the motivations of humanity. Can see the seams. Predictable tropes when you don't want them. Ridiculous unwanted inauthentic character behaviors and motivations that blindside you, when you are otherwise just minding your own business. What?!!!ARGGGGH. I made an account just to write this review. Offensively overacted. Shallow, tepid, wooden or inflammatory characters. Tone deaf to the motivations of humanity. Can see the seams. Predictable tropes when you don't want them. Ridiculous unwanted inauthentic character behaviors and motivations that blindside you, when you are otherwise just minding your own business. What?!!! Explosive outburst every other second as a substitute for real story telling, or to try to distract you from shallow unrealistic, paper cache characters.
    Earnestness used in the same way, with similar results. As if androids wrote this. Would make Hamlet feel self conscious and realize he should stop making soliloquies and start writing haikus. Has an element of feeling like fan fiction, like fifty shades of grey derived from Twilight. But written by excited and verbally expressive Vegans who liked 80's movies and once took a class in college, and remembered Schrodinger's Cat and wanted to combine it with Breakfast Club and Bowling for Columbine. Then again, I saw the whole thing, and it's not bad for at least background, and gets points for quirkiness and unique if too fantastic a story. Makes Harry Potter or Lost seem comparatively plausible. Might get better. Sometimes interesting melange of ideas, but executed by computer algorithms or put through a randomizer. Not ashamed to be weird. Blissfully tone deaf. Which is good and bad. At it's best like a Kanye West B side. Every so often it works pretty well, intriguing but also not fully actualized. Makes me miss the comforting complexity and tangiblness of Voldemort. As if I cold touch his face where his nose should be. But come on are we this starved for shows? Uh actually yeah. Ok then. It's ok I guess. Sure watch it. Why not? What are you going to watch - another Anthony Bourdain Spinoff show?    … Expand
  8. torreth1
    Jan 2, 2017
    4
    The problem with the show, is that for some reason, they've waited so long to introduce the characters in a compelling way, that you've already made up you mind not to care about anybody, or what happens to them. Im already several shows in, and they've kept things far too vague. A viewers job, is not convince themselves that eventually something really interesting is going to happen, andThe problem with the show, is that for some reason, they've waited so long to introduce the characters in a compelling way, that you've already made up you mind not to care about anybody, or what happens to them. Im already several shows in, and they've kept things far too vague. A viewers job, is not convince themselves that eventually something really interesting is going to happen, and its an insult to viewers to make us responsible for cooking dinner when we were invited as "guests" to the meal.… Expand
  9. Xenogears
    Jan 21, 2017
    6
    Mixed feelings. I really admire the premise but the delivery is sloppy. The pace is out of whack and the storyline is scattered. However, it is almost like a dmt trip I assume, the holistic answer is there but the journey can not be put into words. Characters are also a bit weak and should have been developed more. I like Brit's work but am growing tired of her putting herself in theMixed feelings. I really admire the premise but the delivery is sloppy. The pace is out of whack and the storyline is scattered. However, it is almost like a dmt trip I assume, the holistic answer is there but the journey can not be put into words. Characters are also a bit weak and should have been developed more. I like Brit's work but am growing tired of her putting herself in the martyr roles she creates. 50/50 on this. Enjoyed the subject matter, did not enjoy delivery and what should have been quite complex was dumbed down and cheap at times..movements in the four dimensional plane as a vehichle to another? Movement? Come on. Hoping this is a growing pain and the next project will nail it because its close.… Expand
  10. night4
    Apr 3, 2019
    6
    Starts off as a solid 9.5, then degenerates into a 4, sadly. Overall, it's watchable, I guess, but it would have been so much better if it had a rough start and ended on a high note instead.

    "Pretentious" is the best word for it, I think.
  11. radulle
    Jan 27, 2017
    6
    Good atmosphere and intriguing story kept me awake whole night just to be disappointed with an ending which felt kind of flat, illogical and rushed. Still, it made me interested enough that I will be back if there is a second season.

Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

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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
  1. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Lorraine Ali
    Dec 22, 2016
    70
    Whether her story is real or the byproduct of extreme trauma is one of many questions at the heart of this haunting, graceful and often frustratingly cryptic series.
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  2. We Got This Covered
    Reviewed by: Joseph Falcone
    Dec 19, 2016
    80
    The less you know about it before going in the better. This is a must-watch series and if a feeling of incompleteness should fill your cavity upon completing it, simply cleanse your palette and start over again.
    Read full review
  3. The Atlantic
    Reviewed by: Sophie Gilbert
    Dec 16, 2016
    80
    Anchored by a spectacular central performance and a series of increasingly wacky ideas, The OA is frequently mind-boggling, but worth the effort.
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