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. All_ButTrU4
    Feb 6, 2022
    7
    What a **** ride! It's well paced mystery that unfurls unpredictably and satisfying everything it sets up. Brit is a force to be reckoned with. The story does take many liberties with coincidence that can make you cringe but nonetheless it's very sure of itself and what it wants.
  2. geewah
    Jan 29, 2021
    7
    A unique and at times bonkers show that isn't nearly as smart as it thinks it is.
  3. Marthuzala
    Sep 3, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This series is a mind-blowing experience. Its a great mix of psychology, and fantasy. A weird combination, but the show made it into a masterpiece!
    The series is by far one of my favourites. The character developments and emotional rollercoasters your taken on, throughout the show is phenomenal.
    I highly recommend for anyone who like the psychological genre.    … Expand
  4. Igelzerdrucker
    May 16, 2020
    10
    1st season is just brilliant.
    2nd one is nothing but a pretentious crap.
    100% reasonable cancelling, IMO.

    Though you can watch 1st season only and pretend that 2nd one does not exist.
  5. the1jezw
    Sep 10, 2019
    10
    The most creative, beautifully written and acted series out there. Brit and Zal have amazing imaginations. I absolutely love The OA!
  6. Zahhy
    Aug 19, 2019
    10
    I have never been so captivated by a show before. I binged the entire season as if it were water and I a woman in the desert. It is amazingly crafted and so creative and the acting is phenomenal.
  7. bmihalik
    Aug 19, 2019
    10
    Great Movie! Explains and and shows new theories about NDE. What if not just one timeline exists in the universe? What if we can reborn in another timelines - not just in another time and / or space? Good.
  8. paulssanto
    Aug 15, 2019
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The Best Shows on #Netflix are The OA 1 & 2 #SaveTheOA #WatchTheOA #TheOAisReal #Netflix @britmarling @netflix… Expand
  9. Pachita
    Aug 15, 2019
    9
    This show is so difficult to describe, but so worth the watch. The first season starts off, in my opinion, a little slow. I had to convince myself to keep watching and I did not regret it. Tame at first, it unfolds at its own pace and reveals a complex, multilayered story and a very unique atmosphere. The story is entertaining, gripping, mind-bending and somehow manages to still feelThis show is so difficult to describe, but so worth the watch. The first season starts off, in my opinion, a little slow. I had to convince myself to keep watching and I did not regret it. Tame at first, it unfolds at its own pace and reveals a complex, multilayered story and a very unique atmosphere. The story is entertaining, gripping, mind-bending and somehow manages to still feel grounded and human. Great acting and unlike anything I've ever seen before. Definitely recommended… Expand
  10. jebuechel
    Aug 15, 2019
    9
    The OA is a show like none other. Even calling it a 'show' seems like a disservice. It's not going to be for everyone, but if you like season 1 you'll love season 2. Some of the dialogue can be a bit hokey at times, but the performances make those more awkward lines feel natural and believable in the world of The OA. If you like slow burn mystery thrillers with more than enough heart toThe OA is a show like none other. Even calling it a 'show' seems like a disservice. It's not going to be for everyone, but if you like season 1 you'll love season 2. Some of the dialogue can be a bit hokey at times, but the performances make those more awkward lines feel natural and believable in the world of The OA. If you like slow burn mystery thrillers with more than enough heart to spare, give this a shot.… Expand
  11. LizCon
    Aug 14, 2019
    10
    Must watch. Intriguing, thought provoking, inspiring. Jump into the invisible river.
  12. smfusr
    Aug 9, 2019
    0
    This show gives Netflix's "Another Life" a run for the money in the Worst Show Ever category. Seriously - if these are the productions being funded by Netflix today, sell your shares and run for the hills. Better yet, go short.

    As usual with turds, the series starts out with promise, and you can't help but feel there is something substantial in the plot. An episode or two in and sheer    This show gives Netflix's "Another Life" a run for the money in the Worst Show Ever category. Seriously - if these are the productions being funded by Netflix today, sell your shares and run for the hills. Better yet, go short.

    As usual with turds, the series starts out with promise, and you can't help but feel there is something substantial in the plot. An episode or two in and sheer nonsensical lunacy of the writing becomes apparent. This series starts with intrigue but then shortly thereafter, the brakes come off and it begins to go downhill... slowly at first and then whoosh! The earth drops out and we're off the cliff and hurtling into the abyss. Stereotypical, boring, slow and getting more and more moronic by the episode. AVOID!!!    … Expand
  13. DBV68
    Apr 10, 2019
    2
    An ambitious effort to explore the notion of near death experiences that gets derailed with ineffectual efforts to create mystery and drama over excessively lengthy slow-moving episodes that fail to explore and exploit the full value of a potential thematic goldmine. Instead one is left with a horrible blend of The Breakfast Club and Flatliners with just a sprinkling of mad scientist, aAn ambitious effort to explore the notion of near death experiences that gets derailed with ineffectual efforts to create mystery and drama over excessively lengthy slow-moving episodes that fail to explore and exploit the full value of a potential thematic goldmine. Instead one is left with a horrible blend of The Breakfast Club and Flatliners with just a sprinkling of mad scientist, a series that is much more farce than fantasy.… Expand
  14. sgilman
    Apr 4, 2019
    10
    Have never rated a show before, but thought this was unusually creative and well done— both Seasons 1 and 2. Interesting concepts. Excellent performances. Hope they make a Season 3!
  15. 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.
  16. ShadowMan64
    Mar 23, 2019
    10
    The show is very intriguing and exciting. At times the show seems needlessly slow but I feel it is all worth it in the end. Definitely setting up some exciting things for season 2.
  17. Bertucciop
    Mar 22, 2019
    0
    The ridiculous and pretentious is maximized by the grotesque dances. Empty of meaning.
  18. dredgman
    Mar 22, 2019
    3
    Horribly pretentious. The best I can say is I kept watching to see if it would proved fruitful (it doesn't). There are enough puzzles to pique initial interest, but they are resolved in trite and sometimes laughable ways (The final reveal about the meaning of "The OA" made me audibly groan).

    I really enjoyed another Brit Marling project, Sound of My Voice, but this just retreads some    Horribly pretentious. The best I can say is I kept watching to see if it would proved fruitful (it doesn't). There are enough puzzles to pique initial interest, but they are resolved in trite and sometimes laughable ways (The final reveal about the meaning of "The OA" made me audibly groan).

    I really enjoyed another Brit Marling project, Sound of My Voice, but this just retreads some similar themes in a manner that is too drawn out and kitschy to have any real impact.    … Expand
  19. Tss5078
    Sep 17, 2018
    7
    Netflix gives TV shows an unprecedented opportunity never before seen, and it has led to many unique and innovative shows making it on the air. The network governs itself, without any FCC oversight, it also isn't reliant on immediate ratings, and can give unique shows the time to evolve, grow, and gain a following. This is especially important for a show like The OA, which is perhaps theNetflix gives TV shows an unprecedented opportunity never before seen, and it has led to many unique and innovative shows making it on the air. The network governs itself, without any FCC oversight, it also isn't reliant on immediate ratings, and can give unique shows the time to evolve, grow, and gain a following. This is especially important for a show like The OA, which is perhaps the most unique show I've ever seen.

    After missing for eight years, Prairie Johnson (Brit Martling) is finally found, only something is dramatically different. The once blind girl can now see, but that's not all, she has weird scars on her back, and seems completely out of touch with reality. Her family try to help her cope and re-integrate, but with only limited success, as Prairie seems to be obsessed with a mission that she must complete. Before she's able to do this, Prairie must recruit the help of five people and tell them her story, where she's been, how she got there, and what happened to her. As we get to know Prairie and discover why she's so weird, we also get to know the five people who will supposedly help her on her journey. All of them are unique in their own way and all of them have their own stories, which while not the main focus of the show, offer a nice interlude from the Prairie Johnson saga.

    The OA is a strange show which features multiple dimensions, near death experiences and experimentation, even interpretive dance. If you are not a fan of Science Fiction or desire your Sci-fi with a lot of action and strange beings, you probably aren't going to like this show too much. I found the OA to be very dark, sometimes intolerably slow, and it very frequently repeats itself. That being said it is also a incredible mystery that asks a lot of questions that some people may find hard to deal with. I found the show somewhat difficult to get into but once I did, it became very addicting. I needed to know the whole story and see what happened once the story ended.

    The show has been renewed for season two, but much is the case with many Netflix shows, that was a year an half ago. I really don't understand why it takes them so long to get addition seasons of their shows produced. It is very anti-climatic when you think about it, because people who got into it when it first debuted have probably forgotten all about it by now. Not to mention, how do you just start watching a show again that you haven't seen in two years? Many people are going to forget everything except the major plot lines and not wanting to re-watch the first season, aren't going to bother with season 2. With that in mind, a second season is supposedly on it's way, and hopefully it answers the biggest question of them all.    … Expand
  20. abm0
    Mar 12, 2018
    9
    This was... I don't know what this was, but it was glorious. This is how Fantasy/Supernatural should be done. It's sort of the same thing that made the first season of True Blood exceptional: the seamless way it mixes the world we know with fantastic elements, getting you to that hair-raising point of "What if these things did actually exist?". Hell, it could even be that it's more likelyThis was... I don't know what this was, but it was glorious. This is how Fantasy/Supernatural should be done. It's sort of the same thing that made the first season of True Blood exceptional: the seamless way it mixes the world we know with fantastic elements, getting you to that hair-raising point of "What if these things did actually exist?". Hell, it could even be that it's more likely to have a big impact the more of a sceptic and the more anti-superstition you are.… Expand
  21. Papervoice
    Jan 10, 2018
    8
    Totally original work. Masterful story telling. Really, an unexpected stunner. For some reason, women seem to prefer it more than men. It is the brainchild of a woman, and gives us a wholly new look at a protagonist. Highly recommended.
  22. EludiumQ36
    Oct 6, 2017
    7
    Those that follow my reviews know that I'm hard to please, especially for tv series, so it comes as a pleasant surprise that I genuinely liked this show's inaugural season. Brit, who created and stars in this, has really built something special. I read a lot of books as a young teen regarding NDEs, OOBEs, and interdimensional travel so I was well prepared for this material. However, I canThose that follow my reviews know that I'm hard to please, especially for tv series, so it comes as a pleasant surprise that I genuinely liked this show's inaugural season. Brit, who created and stars in this, has really built something special. I read a lot of books as a young teen regarding NDEs, OOBEs, and interdimensional travel so I was well prepared for this material. However, I can understand the allergic reactions many will have if they haven't been exposed to these topics before. But if you keep an open mind and let Brit take you on a special journey then you'll come to appreciate the story. Having said that, the primal, interpretive dance they term "Movements" are just hard to watch and I personally don't think they're appropriate for the storyline. IOW, the dance moves' violent and primal nature don't jibe with the beneficial effects they impart. That much is really stupid and off kilter. Movements based on Tai Chi would've been more appropriate. However, the pace and reveals are very well timed, nicely done. Not that it matters because it is what it is, but the final scene of the finale was not satisfying, it should've left viewers with more than the ambiguity it offered. However, I'll definitely be there for season 2 in 2018.… Expand
  23. reghan_e
    Sep 10, 2017
    10
    The OA season 1 was nothing short of incredibly captivating and mind-boggling. The dramatic narrative of the main characters mixed with the unexpected sci-fi elements work together in harmony. A beautiful story full of growth, suspense, drama, and more. I couldn't recommend this show more. I can't wait for season 2!
  24. sjogro
    Aug 17, 2017
    9
    I loved this show, a whole new vibe of fantasy. Poetic, artsy, dark and full of emotion. Great new television! I hope they can keep it up and work to a closing before they can't anymore.
  25. reviewfrom19842
    Jul 24, 2017
    7
    The OA is a good show but these people are the most gullible people on the planet. Like you don't even question that maybe she is lying until the final episode. good show just that kind of bothered me
  26. ericrosar
    Jul 20, 2017
    3
    Firstly, let me preface the review by saying that this series was recommended by a family member who stated that this was, in his view, BETTER than The Crown and even went on to say this was better than Game of Thrones, so it already had expectations against it. However, I viewed this with the most objectivity I could; and objectively, this series was a load of pretentious,Firstly, let me preface the review by saying that this series was recommended by a family member who stated that this was, in his view, BETTER than The Crown and even went on to say this was better than Game of Thrones, so it already had expectations against it. However, I viewed this with the most objectivity I could; and objectively, this series was a load of pretentious, pseudo-intellectual, drivel about spirituality and the afterlife (among other ideas). It's comfort food for the New Age inclined individuals who are not concerned with plot holes and/or character development. From the first episode you felt the writers calling you out for thinking about quitting it. I can tell you that I couldn't stop watching it, partially due to the intrigue of the subject and partially to see the "brilliance" I was told about this show. A redeeming quality this had was the, genuinely laugh out loud, unintentional comedy I found in the dialogue, plot holes, and acting/movements (except for the parents, who were objectively great). I don't mind weird topics or different execution, but my dislike of the series is not based on my subjective opinion about the topic, but on traits it objectively was lacking (Story/Characters/Sense).… Expand
  27. Jdigits
    Jul 18, 2017
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Starts with great promise, a story told through blurred lines of reality, the nature of existence and its inherit relationship to trauma, leaving the viewer asking if the central character is what she says she is or is mentally ill. However after 4 exasperatingly slow episodes it turns into some nonsense claptrap that tells us the world's ills can be cured by interpretive dance. By the end you feel grossly let down with a bitter taste left by the pretentiousness of it all and offended by the final "twist". Could have been great but in the end is a waste of anyones valuable time.… Expand
  28. DiogoOliveira
    Jul 1, 2017
    9
    irretocável, Brilhante, esteticamente lindo, uma serie que veio mudar o que estava formado. estou aguardando loucamente a segunda temporada, netflix fez um ótimo trabalho na serie.
  29. cabbages
    Jun 12, 2017
    0
    the whole thing is just stupid, at first i thought it was kinda original, acting was good, there was a few dumb moments, carried on watching and it just got stupider and stupider, it just didn't make any sense by episode 5, so many plot holes, so many unbelievable moments.
  30. tentimes
    May 20, 2017
    10
    For the love of God watch this. Don't bother to read up anymore and just watch it. It is incredible! I will never ever forget the feeling I got in the final episode - you know when you get actual physical goosebumps all over your arms you are so amazed? That was the most amazing series I have ever seen. I feel like I want to watch it all over again.
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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.
    Read full review
  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.
    Read full review
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