The Stand
Metascore
56

Mixed or average reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 25
  3. Negative: 1 out of 25
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Critic Reviews

  1. The Playlist
    Reviewed by: Warren Cantrell
    Dec 14, 2020
    83
    It’s not perfect by any means, but the series does about as well as anyone might reasonably expect considering the source, and never suffers a boring minute.
  2. The Daily Beast
    Reviewed by: Nick Schager
    Dec 18, 2020
    80
    This iteration of The Stand—rife with empathy and tension, horror and excitement, canny nods to likeminded pop-culture works (Time Bandits!), and even a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it King cameo—gets the haunting job done. It should please newbies and die-hards alike—provided, that is, that anyone presently has the stomach for pandemic-themed entertainment.
  3. Wall Street Journal
    Reviewed by: John Anderson
    Dec 16, 2020
    80
    Developed by Mr. Boone with Benjamin Cavell, “The Stand” is an often-gripping piece of television, new episodes of which will appear each Thursday. The spirit and dread of Mr. King’s epic have been successfully, if more succinctly, incorporated into the series.
  5. Consequence
    Reviewed by: Michael Roffman
    Dec 14, 2020
    75
    The Stand is still blockbuster television, and when it’s good, it’s damn good. Despite the aforementioned limitations, Boone and Cavell still thrive in their sequestered sandbox. The performances are strong, the set pieces are cinematic, and, most importantly, the commitment to King’s prose is stonier than a man’s heart.
  6. Collider
    Reviewed by: Vinnie Mancuso
    Dec 14, 2020
    75
    It's effective TV horror, it's a recognizable dystopia story, but almost nothing hits as hard as it could.
  7. Decider
    Reviewed by: Joel Keller
    Dec 17, 2020
    70
    This new version of The Stand is off to an intriguing start, whether you’re a fan of the book or not.
  8. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Randall Colburn
    Dec 15, 2020
    67
    The Stand is filled with bold, surprising choices, from its non-linear structure to its reinterpretations of iconic set pieces to the ways it reimagines a few key characters. Some are inspired: Nat Wolff’s brazen take on henchman Lloyd Henreid—Riff Raff by way of Stevie Janowski—is an unexpected delight. Others disappoint. ... But what keeps even the messiest and murkiest sections of The Stand gripping are the performances, specifically from Teague and Young.

Awards & Rankings

33
#33 Most Discussed TV Season of 2020
87
#87 Most Shared TV Season of 2020

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
3.6

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 35 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 35
  3. Negative: 19 out of 35
  1. SoBizarre
    Jan 30, 2021
    5
    SOULLESS. Nuff said.
    ......................................................
  2. Prando
    Jan 16, 2021
    0
    I think the overall impression here is 'lazy' - lazy story adaption, lazy storyline development, lazy and minimal character development.I think the overall impression here is 'lazy' - lazy story adaption, lazy storyline development, lazy and minimal character development.
    There is a solid cast here, woefully under-utilised. Great production values. So a lot of missed potential, along with a clear lack of comprehension of what the core themes of the origin story actually were in the minds of those developing and writing the series.
    The mindblowing editorial decision to chop back and forth in time makes little sense and badly damages the narrative, removes any sense of drama and prevents any sense of the stakes in the story. It is impossible to see what the purpose of this timeshifting is - it alienates those familiar with the original story and miniseries, while preventing new/casual viewers from engaging with the new series.
    Also unfortunately, too many audience 'critics' are getting bogged down in their own personal and childish 'we hate Amber Heard' tantrums online instead of considering the actual faults of the series itself.    … Full Review »
  3. UncleWillard
    Jan 15, 2021
    1
    They ass-raped this wonderful book. Just godawful. The only good I saw:

    Harold. They got him right and Owen Teague should be commended. Stu    They ass-raped this wonderful book. Just godawful. The only good I saw:

    Harold. They got him right and Owen Teague should be commended. Stu was adequate. That's it. Everything else was garbage. From the nonsensical changes, to the terrible casting. Even the better soundtrack was unearned (how dare they play Court of the Crimson King in this folly).

    Most egregious, and boy the fight for this title was fierce, was Ezra Miller as Trashcan Man. He turned him into a drooling idiot. He got nothing right here. He should tear up his SAG card.

    Amber Turd was a close second. Can't act and not a charismatic bone in her body. Forget her criminal behavior with Depp, she is terrible, but especially so here.

    They even managed to ruin Tom Cullen. Hats off to Bill **** for doing Tom justice. M-O-O-N, that spells acting.

    Everyone else was just paint drying. Frannie and Nick also pointed out how.much better the previous attempt was.

    Rey replacing Ralph was a huge waste as well. What a horrible, **** character compared to Ralph. Overall just no. This was a huge disappointment on every level. I cant believe Steven King let his name be attached to this.    … Full Review »
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