The Stand
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
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User Reviews

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  1. SoBizarre
    Jan 30, 2021
    5
    SOULLESS. Nuff said.
    ......................................................
  2. gonzalo94
    Dec 22, 2020
    0
    Nada fiel al material original, parece mas un reality show y lo peor es que sale Amber Heard.
  3. MarioVN
    Dec 19, 2020
    2
    El primer capítulo veo una más un Reality Show con el propósito de lanzar actores sin experiencia, sin reconocimiento, para salvar una actriz polémica, nada más, se perdió al esencia del original
  4. kubo6472
    Dec 25, 2020
    0
    I just watched the 1st episode and I literally got nothing out of the story. It jumps back and forth, then the story starts, but we don't know the characters yet. Great mistakes some indie filmmaker would not have done. I highly recommend reading the book first, then watching the 94' one, then try on this. Because right now I can't recommend this.
  5. Beth_London
    Jan 7, 2021
    0
    Muy aburrida y la presencia de Amber Heard me arruina la vista...
    Que horror
  6. lazydeb
    Jan 8, 2021
    0
    Why would anyone think it a good idea to start this story in the middle? I know the book so I can follow what's going on, but my husband never read the book and is hopelessly confused. The 1994 miniseries is 100 times better!
  7. Prando
    Jan 16, 2021
    0
    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    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.    … Expand
  8. bshelton
    Dec 17, 2020
    5
    I"ve been anticipating this adaption for over a year and....well....pretty disappointed. I'll say it seems to be somewhat faithful to book...except when it matters. I found the non linear story telling to be confusing and also lessen the impact of the pandemics toll. Quite honestly, i felt like I was watching a "serious" Lifetime/hallmark aftefter-school special. Definitely a weak, cheesyI"ve been anticipating this adaption for over a year and....well....pretty disappointed. I'll say it seems to be somewhat faithful to book...except when it matters. I found the non linear story telling to be confusing and also lessen the impact of the pandemics toll. Quite honestly, i felt like I was watching a "serious" Lifetime/hallmark aftefter-school special. Definitely a weak, cheesy kickoff. Im hoping it gets better and does the novel justice… Expand
  9. ScienceAdvisor
    Dec 17, 2020
    4
    It is amazing how many "professional" critics are giving this a 5/10 but then writing a review that makes it sound far better. I guess they think their credibility is so poor no one will ever notice the discrepency. This version of the Stand is a mess. It deviates from the source material too widely and at times, incoherently. As more epsiodes are aired, this reivew will be updated.It is amazing how many "professional" critics are giving this a 5/10 but then writing a review that makes it sound far better. I guess they think their credibility is so poor no one will ever notice the discrepency. This version of the Stand is a mess. It deviates from the source material too widely and at times, incoherently. As more epsiodes are aired, this reivew will be updated. So far though, it is a pale imitation of the previous mini-series, and far inferior to the unabriged book.… Expand
  10. 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 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    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.    … Expand
  11. BobSub
    Jan 14, 2021
    3
    Unable to watch TV series with Amber Heart. One could look, but hatred for Amber Heart does not give any desire to continue.
  12. Karyngc
    Jan 4, 2021
    0
    "They wont believe you cuz your a man"
    She Is NOT a victim!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  13. JennieMax
    Jan 4, 2021
    0
    Actress Amber Heart is really fake and disgusting / makes a bad impression and totally ruined the timing / definitely the worst actress the series can have / will end in failure / my score should be double zero / thanks for reading
  14. truerock
    Dec 17, 2020
    7
    The Stand was a novel written by Stephen King in 1978. There was a TV mini-series based on the novel in 1994. So, I have to clear those past experiences with the material out of my head so I can appreciate the latest 2020 version. I've only seen the first of 9 episodes. I may return and update my review.

    The first episode does not have a linear time line. Just he opposite, the time    The Stand was a novel written by Stephen King in 1978. There was a TV mini-series based on the novel in 1994. So, I have to clear those past experiences with the material out of my head so I can appreciate the latest 2020 version. I've only seen the first of 9 episodes. I may return and update my review.

    The first episode does not have a linear time line. Just he opposite, the time line skips around a great deal. I would say that approach to the material is reasonably interesting and I think it works. Nevertheless, individuals, as a whole, do not deal well with change. Probably almost all who are familiar with the original novel will not like the new take on the non-linear time-line. Also, this type of story telling approach requires that you assimilate the entire plot and are required to wait to the end of the episode so that the different time-pieces fall into place. Most individuals are not able to do that.

    Owen Teague as Harold Lauder is the best performance - partly because it is the most interesting role and otherwise because Teague does an excellent job of acting.

    You only see Whoppi Goldberg briefly in her role as Mother Abagail. I do not consider Goldberg to be a good actor and she apparently does not have a good interpretation of her Mother Abagail role. She will probably be detrimental to the series. Goldberg should stick to talk-shows where her naturally engaging personality is interesting to watch.

    Obviously I'll need to watch the entire 9 episodes before I can render a final judgement.    … Expand
  15. AthanasiosT
    Feb 11, 2021
    3
    As a big Stephen King fan and reader, I have watched The Stand (of 90s) many times. This modern version... just couldn't convince me. Great production and actors and everything, but as someone mentioned before me, it lacks soul. Forget remakes, they rarely catch up with the original.
  16. ryant1981
    Dec 17, 2020
    2
    I've only seen the 1st episode but so far so good. Production quality is high and acting is pretty decent. We shall see going forward how good it really is.
    I went from a 9 after episode 1 down to a rating of 2 after completing the show. Wow. Every episode after the first one is so bad which affirms my fear that CBS was doing the Stand. Why can’t HBO or Netflix get the rights to this great    I've only seen the 1st episode but so far so good. Production quality is high and acting is pretty decent. We shall see going forward how good it really is.
    I went from a 9 after episode 1 down to a rating of 2 after completing the show. Wow. Every episode after the first one is so bad which affirms my fear that CBS was doing the Stand. Why can’t HBO or Netflix get the rights to this great material. Oh well    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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
  1. Empire
    Reviewed by: Ian Freer
    Sep 20, 2021
    60
    Stephen King’s magnum opus is possibly too big in narrative scope and thematic aspirations to find a proper home in visual storytelling. But it is a perfect fit for the times, and this current adaptation gets off to a solid, if not spectacular, start.
    Read full review
  2. TV Guide Magazine
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    Jan 4, 2021
    50
    Handsomely and dutifully produced. ... Ponderous and bloated parable of good vs. evil. [4 - 17 Jan 2021, p.7]
    Read full review
  3. Salon
    Reviewed by: Melanie McFarland
    Dec 18, 2020
    40
    This plays out as a bunch of survivors played by a raft of talented people taking a long time to get to the point of it all and making unnecessarily dunderheaded mistakes as they flail about.
    Read full review
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