The Sinner

:

Season 1
  • Network: USA
  • Series Premiere Date: Aug 2, 2017
Season #: 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 124 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 106 out of 124
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 124
  3. Negative: 7 out of 124
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User Reviews

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  1. JLuis_001
    Jun 30, 2018
    7
    Well done drama but man the mistery while realistic it was pathetic and it didn't need 8 episodes to give resolutions.
  2. Ittiaces
    Sep 24, 2017
    10
    This show is pure quality. It's shot beautifully, and the script is incredibly tight with a fantastic story that's one of the best mystery thrillers I've come across in recent times. The cast is excellent as an ensemble. It's so great to see Bill Pullman in this. He is fantastically watchable. Jessica Biel does an excellent turn as the mysterious girl with a dark past. I wasn't boredThis show is pure quality. It's shot beautifully, and the script is incredibly tight with a fantastic story that's one of the best mystery thrillers I've come across in recent times. The cast is excellent as an ensemble. It's so great to see Bill Pullman in this. He is fantastically watchable. Jessica Biel does an excellent turn as the mysterious girl with a dark past. I wasn't bored during any of these episodes, and everything kept ticking over nicely. It's just a beautiful piece of storytelling. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would highly recommend it to anyone.… Expand
  3. JorgeLestre
    Aug 3, 2017
    8
    'The Sinner' is clever. Jessica Biel's performance is actually pretty engaging. This is a TV show that cuts away that typical who dunnit formula and just makes worried about the whydunnit.
  4. 12Toyans
    Sep 8, 2017
    10
    Story very melancholy, and intriguing. Biel is excellent but Pullem is the heart and soul of pathos. Watching him ask questions is so engaging. More please.
  5. olimpia
    Nov 10, 2017
    7
    On the bright side it is entertained and the acting is very good. but the plot is twisted and hardly unlikely . To be watched without being too pretentious
  6. Syedmaaz
    Sep 4, 2017
    8
    The is actually is actually quite breath taking at many instant , its quite well scripted as well , at end every episode you became so obsessed with character and its case that u started feeling that u are part of its story ...
    Hope , they keep this thing up...
  7. douglasdsb
    Sep 26, 2017
    9
    I didn't even know Jessica Biel was that good. She was brilliant. This series is in my TOP 10 of this year, side by side Handmaid's Tale, Big Little Lies, The Leftovers, Feud, Fargo. This year is certainly ruled by women.
  8. StevensNotes
    Sep 21, 2017
    10
    If the purpose of art is to transcend its medium, here is this summer's best example from TV.

    The Sinner, in it's gorgeously shot arc of horror and redemption, takes us on a ride that is at once terrifying in its intensity and astonishingly deliberate in its pacing. While Jessica Biel is easy on the eyes, she even more easily shatters the ingenue mold and makes us care about the gaps    If the purpose of art is to transcend its medium, here is this summer's best example from TV.

    The Sinner, in it's gorgeously shot arc of horror and redemption, takes us on a ride that is at once terrifying in its intensity and astonishingly deliberate in its pacing.

    While Jessica Biel is easy on the eyes, she even more easily shatters the ingenue mold and makes us care about the gaps in her memory, her relationships, and the horrifying family she comes from.

    Bill Pullman is a revelation. While the S & M sequences never quite added up for me, his thoughtful and quiet performance makes every other "tortured cop" character look like a character from Sesame Street. Not since Pacino's iconic and long-forgotten "Scarecrow" have we been so blessed with an actor who can say so much with only a glance.

    Of course, nothing works without a great plot, supporting characters, a haunting score and the discipline to wrap it up in 8 short episodes. The Sinner gets the highest marks for craft.

    Most television is about sound and furious plotting. And for some reason, summer seems to bring out the most excesses. Somewhere Between probably takes the award for the most adrenaline-injected ride. And at it's conclusion you're thankful it's over.

    A final note. There are few television programs that work with the idea of redemption without also falling into a cloying sentimentality. This one simply leaves you glad to be alive and thankful to a forgiving universe that allows that no matter the crime we may have committed, a human being can somehow still discover good reason to live with an "unbearable lightness of being".

    Critics will call it moody, atmospheric and melancholy. It is this, on the surface. But follow it through to the end for deeper delights.    … Expand
  9. Oenmai666
    Dec 29, 2017
    10
    I am compelled to write a review on this show since the established media seems to be from a different planet and does not find this show outstanding. I was a little hesitant to watch at first looking at the reviews but due to word of mouth decided to give it a try and boy am i glad with my decision. Everything from its tour de force story, exhilarating acting and music is a treat toI am compelled to write a review on this show since the established media seems to be from a different planet and does not find this show outstanding. I was a little hesitant to watch at first looking at the reviews but due to word of mouth decided to give it a try and boy am i glad with my decision. Everything from its tour de force story, exhilarating acting and music is a treat to experience. Never knew Jessica Biel had it in her to be such a quality actor along with Bill Pullman and Nadia Alexander giving their career best performances.
    Not sure why but many Netflix shows are getting such low review scores.. Even other shows in Netflix like The Ozark (which is one of the best shows of all time) received mixed reviews from critics.
    Do yourself a favour and watch this show. Its one of a rare masterpiece you'll find!    … Expand
  10. panslabyrinth
    Aug 7, 2017
    5
    The Sinner's premise is somewhat intriguing, although it looks uninspired, which might be foretelling the dearth of any vision or style whatsoever. Nonetheless, Jessica Biel's performance is noteworthy.
  11. moviebuffers
    Sep 14, 2017
    2
    I truly wish I had not gone down this alley. I based my plan for this show on the early reviews and the strong cast. I now find it typical USA Network muddled trash. The only reason I give it 2 stars is Bill Pullman is a fine actor and the rest of the cast makes the great attempt. If you have not tried The Sinner yet my advice is avoid.
  12. Bitmouse
    Jul 3, 2018
    0
    Ridiculous. Imagine if the switched the genders of the detective and the woman.
  13. cherold
    Mar 3, 2018
    10
    This absolutely riveting drama starts with a woman inexplicably attacking a stranger on the beach. The series does a wonderful job of keeping viewers guessing, with a twisty story that constantly surprises but holds together all the way to the end. Jessica Biel and Bill Pullman are both terrific as broken people trying to find a way out.
  14. samstylle
    Nov 12, 2017
    10
    this serie its awesome I'm speechless how great it is. masterpiece.

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    ;.....................................................    … Expand
  15. HecticCrunt
    Dec 3, 2017
    10
    The main triumph of this show is the presentation of extraordinary things, whilst maintaining an incredibly real and vibrant world. 'The Sinner' hooks you from the very first episode and doesn't let go.
  16. SrPepe
    Dec 18, 2018
    8
    Muy buena y entretenida, cuando se van desentrañando las conexiones te vas enganchando más y más, los personajes muy bien construidos y las escenas grandiosamente realizadas.
  17. Satanski
    Jan 14, 2019
    2
    Boring drama, supersaturated with sex scenes. Probably would like it as an adolescent, with no erotic life.
  18. jaasieljunior
    Dec 3, 2017
    8
    The Sinner é uma das séries que te surpreende sem o intuito de te chamar a atenção nos primeiros minutos do piloto. E quando o momento que te prende a atenção acontece, você fica perplexo com o enredo e a continuidade da série. É instigante e incrivelmente improvável.
  19. Felindie
    Jul 15, 2019
    7
    Here's the thing with 'The Sinner', first part of the season is great but in the end everything turn so boring.
  20. GrantD243
    Sep 6, 2019
    8
    One of the best pure mystery/thriller shows I've ever watched. There is police work in this series but it feels like so much more than that. It's more psychological and complicated.
  21. kenyon30
    Apr 1, 2019
    8
    An excellent mystery with Pullman and Biel in fine form. You can totally invest in each character. Somehow, the fable started that Biel couldn't act. She is so excellent, her performance totally cures an unlikely plot.
  22. branflakes4547
    Jun 5, 2019
    8
    Truly remarkable miniseries. It gets pretty weird towards the end (I say this as a David Lynch fan) but on the whole it is pretty fantastic. I would highly recommend it to pretty much everybody
  23. geewah
    Dec 30, 2020
    8
    Well written, mysterious detective crime series. Biel (arguably her best work) and Pullman are fantastic and really lift this show.
  24. MazeWisher
    Jan 27, 2022
    9
    Great show. Great cast. Really intense and different. Reminds me a bit of the first season of True Detective. Worth to give it a try!
  25. s33c33
    Jul 1, 2023
    9
    Felt uneasy while watching the whole season. Great crime drama. Always kept trying to figure out what the heck happened. Must watch if you're into suspense/crime/psychology.

Awards & Rankings

94
#94 Best TV Season of 2017
47
#47 Most Discussed TV Season of 2017
74
#74 Most Shared TV Season of 2017

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. We Got This Covered
    Reviewed by: Mitchel Broussard
    Aug 3, 2017
    70
    It’s a show that resonates on the surface more than in any deeper well of mental thought, but there’s something effortlessly salacious and shocking about it that totally lives up to the likely page-turning nature of its source material.
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  2. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: Matt Zoller Seitz
    Aug 2, 2017
    80
    The Sinner proceeds according to its own internal logic, and while I would quibble with the presentation of one or two bits of information in the first couple of episodes, there are no moments that feel egregiously contrived or unfair to the audience.
    Read full review
  3. Collider
    Reviewed by: Chris Cabin
    Aug 2, 2017
    60
    What’s left is an amiable and largely engaging murder mystery, gorgeously lensed and smartly paced but more notable for its control of mood and atmosphere than substance or character.
    Read full review
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