The Terror

:

Season 1
  • Network: AMC+
  • Series Premiere Date: Mar 26, 2018
Season #: 3, 2, 1
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 176 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 146 out of 176
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 176
  3. Negative: 18 out of 176
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  1. Davrosdaleks1
    May 22, 2018
    10
    This survival horror show about the about a crew of two British exploration ships stranded in the Arctic is probably the best scary television program I've ever seen.

    A problem with a lot of horror shows is that they just don't have enough material to stretch things out for multiple episodes, which results in some good scenes and a lot of awkwardness. (Even award-winner American Horror    This survival horror show about the about a crew of two British exploration ships stranded in the Arctic is probably the best scary television program I've ever seen.

    A problem with a lot of horror shows is that they just don't have enough material to stretch things out for multiple episodes, which results in some good scenes and a lot of awkwardness. (Even award-winner American Horror Story is uneven.) The Terror, however, has seldom a wasted moment. There is a gripping combination of British drama, survival against the elements, and a supernatural monster. The creature is actually used sparingly, as it isn't a match for the natural and man-made trials the crew faces, including the growing forbodingness as the elements take their physical toll and despair, desperation, and madness take hold.

    Gore hounds may like it when the show gets truly violent, as the effects are amazing and surprisingly visceral in this regard. For those who don't aren't as big as fans of that sort of thing, the violence happens sparingly like many Guillermo del Toro movies. Things do get nasty, but it feels relevant to the plot and never needlessly exploitative.

    The cast is all excellent here. I'm expecting awards nominations for some of them. Even though The Terror is partially a testament to man's hubris, the characters are fully fleshed out, never feeling like generalized tropes of the British empire.

    The show operates on a TV budget, and it shows sometimes, but the sets and scenery still manage to create an impressive sort of bleakness.

    A few caveats: The British cast can be a little hard to make out sometimes and you may want to use the subtitles. A lot of characters look and are dressed the same. (So many sideburns!) So, I got people confused sometimes. Lastly, they could have explained the creature a little more.    … Expand
  2. fairlyjusttrans
    Apr 21, 2018
    10
    Best show in years! This show has excellent production value, interesting well developed characters, and treats the period, and situation with the respect it deserves. As the show progresses it demonstrates that every event is happening for a purpose. It does not censor, or coddle the audience, and treats them like intelligent viewers as opposed to mindless, fragile stupids. There is deepBest show in years! This show has excellent production value, interesting well developed characters, and treats the period, and situation with the respect it deserves. As the show progresses it demonstrates that every event is happening for a purpose. It does not censor, or coddle the audience, and treats them like intelligent viewers as opposed to mindless, fragile stupids. There is deep meaning in every scene from first to last. All the characters actions are respectable even if you don’t like who they are, it’s clear each individual has their own unique plans, weaknesses and strengths. The cinématographe is more than beautiful, with great use of juxtaposition, and again, everything has a specific purpose. It has a soundtrack that is a pleasure to hear instead of distracting. This show encourages thought, and even at times intensely provokes it. This show serves the audience, and therefore expects them to engage. I recommend this show!… Expand
  3. SimboTheKing
    Dec 28, 2020
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The terror is a pretty good show but one that I feel is very carried by its later half. I'll admit that I felt a little disappointed by the first half of this show. I've seen that it has quite some hype behind it and it initially didn't live up to this. However, around episode 6 i really started to get into it and I felt it picked up in quality. The show is at its best imo when rather than Tuunbaq being the antagonist the Arctic conditions are.

    Related to this, I think sometimes it juggled too many balls making Hickey, Tuunbaq and the Arctic all challenges and sometimes it felt a little rushed. I'm gonna be totally honest and I think Tuunbaq could have been removed completely and the show wouldn't have suffered for it. This is especially true as the CGI for Tuunbaq was poor. This CGI is particularly jarring as many of the other elements of the show were top-tier, especially the set and costume design. This area of production really deserve credit for elevating the standard of the show. Sometimes this element can get overlooked so it's worth shouting out.

    Overall, it's a show thats worth watching for horror fans but I don't think it's that great for casual viewers and it doesn't quite live up to the hype imo.    … Expand
  4. hypeatia
    Apr 1, 2018
    9
    Great, great show - the first two episodes were spectacular, the bleakness of the landscape and the dilemmas of what counts as heroism - when do you confront, when do you back away - are really well done. Also delighted to see Jared Harris outside Mad Men and the Expanse.
  5. rocgni161803
    Mar 29, 2018
    10
    The show draws you in immediately. It feels a lot like the first Alien movie with its atmosphere and general sense of dread (it even steals a scene from the movie). After only two episodes it's the only thing on right now, for me, that's a must-watch. The characters are well-written and multi-dimensional. The story is intriguing. Really looking forward to see how it plays out.
  6. shoulderoforion
    Apr 11, 2018
    10
    The Terror was so good, it's difficult to explain what a British fictional period prestige piece mashed together with an Eskimo horror story wrapped around an actual historical event ticks just every single one of my favorite lists. The cast was brilliant, the story was so well done, the cinematography was outstanding. This is my favorite show of the year so far, and it's not even close.
  7. asmanraj
    Apr 10, 2018
    10
    As someone who read the book, I found the two-hour series premiere and the second episode immensely enjoyable. Finally a terrific period horror series to fill the void left by the departure of Penny Dreadful.
  8. mib2129
    Apr 9, 2018
    9
    The show is brilliantly done. The visuals are spectacular. The novelty value of a setting (arctic) rarely seen in TV shows helps. The sort-of inside look at the Royal Navy is a great hook. Overall, the shows does a great job of making the viewer truly feel the thrill of exploring an uncharted territory.
  9. moviebuffers
    Apr 6, 2018
    10
    so far after 3 episodes this is one great show. love the acting and storyline. very suspenseful and well written. I was a big fan of Mad Men and also am a fan of Game of Thrones and nice to see important cast members from both shows in high profiles roles here.
  10. OldSilentHill
    May 3, 2018
    10
    The acting is superb, the photography is amazing and the story is interesting.
    You can´t go wrong by watching this series at night in the dark with high speakers.
  11. raporgi
    Apr 6, 2018
    4
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Its Walking DEAD with ice and polar bears. You know the formula. A group of people get stranded, bicker all the while the environment and things try to eat them.… Expand
  12. ScienceAdvisor
    Apr 10, 2018
    5
    Entirely skippable fare from AMC, billed as a premium series without anything other than cinematography and a few individual performances to pull it out of pure mediocrity.

    Billing this as historical is disingenuous, and calling it a thriller is even worse. The Antarctic has never had an indigenous people (Inuit/Eskimo) living there. No one even travelled there before the 1700s, and    Entirely skippable fare from AMC, billed as a premium series without anything other than cinematography and a few individual performances to pull it out of pure mediocrity.

    Billing this as historical is disingenuous, and calling it a thriller is even worse. The Antarctic has never had an indigenous people (Inuit/Eskimo) living there. No one even travelled there before the 1700s, and even then it was a relatively brief stay due to the inhospitable conditions.

    The story is one of a mysterious animal/spirit/thing that transitions into something far more mundane. Both are quite boring, yet equally adept at slowly killing the crew and our interest. The story gives up the pretension of trying to make sense by the end of episode six, and does little to redeem itself after that point. I can only imagine it was trying to induce the same mental state in the viewer as those suffering on the screen.    … Expand
  13. OlivierPiel
    Apr 2, 2018
    3
    Nice cinematography, costumes etc...But the form cannot make us forget the very tired tropes and insufferable ciiches that have been seen in countless Victorian period dramas à la Mutiny of the Bounty (aloofness, arrogance, racism of the British upper class; second-in-command who cannot change the mind of the captain despite all common sense arguments etc etc...).
    Even those so-called    Nice cinematography, costumes etc...But the form cannot make us forget the very tired tropes and insufferable ciiches that have been seen in countless Victorian period dramas à la Mutiny of the Bounty (aloofness, arrogance, racism of the British upper class; second-in-command who cannot change the mind of the captain despite all common sense arguments etc etc...).
    Even those so-called British A-list actors seem not to care, knowing full well that this is a money grab rather than a serious artistic work, and overact without any pretense of realism.

    A nice waste of time    … Expand
  14. insickness
    Apr 27, 2018
    7
    Everything about this show was great except that a lot of it could have been cut. The production, acting, story, action and effects all worked. Some of the actors were really good and the plot tension was nice. But there was a lot of inert exposition that just seemed to add needless minutes. The whole series could be edited down to five episodes and nothing would be lost. Still worthEverything about this show was great except that a lot of it could have been cut. The production, acting, story, action and effects all worked. Some of the actors were really good and the plot tension was nice. But there was a lot of inert exposition that just seemed to add needless minutes. The whole series could be edited down to five episodes and nothing would be lost. Still worth seeing though.… Expand
  15. MGerganov
    Apr 9, 2018
    0
    Great show indeed! But why on earth in episode 3 where Mr.Goodsir takes a photo of the group and is measuring the time of the exposition, we clearly see on the chronometer a sign "Сделано в СССР" - Made in USSR !!!??? USSR was founded in 1922...the story of Terror used to happen in 1847:)
  16. ozymandias79
    Apr 24, 2018
    6
    The book was weirder. Understandable why they cut most of it, but still, not very faithful. The lack of condensation coming out of the actor's mouths completely pulled me out of the show. It's supposed to be the arctic!
  17. AnneBonny
    Apr 19, 2018
    3
    They managed to create a mediocre horror out of the great and detailed story about the actual expedition. The final was simply terrible, they killed entire mystical storyline. Biggest disappointment.
  18. TheQuietGamer
    Dec 24, 2019
    7
    While the story is a fictitious spin on history things never descend into full-on fantasy. A lot of work went into making everything feel as authentic and period-appropriate as possible. It also takes itself very seriously. The natural horrors of the situation take precedent over the supernatural ones. So we're largely watching the characters minds break and the terrible things they'll doWhile the story is a fictitious spin on history things never descend into full-on fantasy. A lot of work went into making everything feel as authentic and period-appropriate as possible. It also takes itself very seriously. The natural horrors of the situation take precedent over the supernatural ones. So we're largely watching the characters minds break and the terrible things they'll do to survive with the monster attacks only occasionally being thrown in.

    While this emphasis on human drama and desperation make it an easy show to respect, it doesn't always make it exciting to watch. The slow pacing was at times a real hinderance to my enjoyment. There are entire episodes where all that happens are conversations. Which is great at maturely portraying the gradual degradation of the crew's sanity and morals, but not so much at maintaining the attention of those watching.

    If you have the patience though this genuinely a good show. Thoughtful and horrific with some decent creature-feature action thrown in for good measure. I just wished there was some more going on at times.    … Expand
  19. deck
    Aug 3, 2018
    1
    the first episode promises good entertainment. From the second there are gaps and incomprehensible story jumps. the tension breaks apart with each following episode.
    also the quality of the image design decreases.
    the ship crew is acting more and more absurdly and not according to their situation, time and culture. the dialogues lack substance. The actors mostly deliver daily soap    the first episode promises good entertainment. From the second there are gaps and incomprehensible story jumps. the tension breaks apart with each following episode.
    also the quality of the image design decreases.
    the ship crew is acting more and more absurdly and not according to their situation, time and culture. the dialogues lack substance. The actors mostly deliver daily soap performance.
    Violence, however, is set in detail in scenes and unfortunately rounds off the terror into a tasteless and crude series.
    Not even something for those interested in the 19th century    … Expand
  20. Tiger_X
    Jan 18, 2019
    5
    The Terror should be rated at like 9/10 except it makes gigantic repulsive mistakes.

    Acting: 9/10 Terror: 8/10 Atmosphere: 9/10 Story: 5/10 Ending: 1/10 This show will scare you. Anyone who doubts that I dare to watch it alone at night. Around when madness starts to set in there is a horrible scene involving fire. The entire story tanks on the spot and never fully recovers. I    The Terror should be rated at like 9/10 except it makes gigantic repulsive mistakes.

    Acting: 9/10
    Terror: 8/10
    Atmosphere: 9/10
    Story: 5/10
    Ending: 1/10

    This show will scare you. Anyone who doubts that I dare to watch it alone at night. Around when madness starts to set in there is a horrible scene involving fire. The entire story tanks on the spot and never fully recovers. I cannot think of another show with such a top-shelf start that ends so disappointingly.

    Near the last episodes some truly wild and mind bending things happen. The acting is absolutely convincing. I felt like I was there with the crew. You can't help but wonder, what would I do if I was there? - but all of them are ruined by a streak of unnecessary gore and brutality that spoils the immersion. The ending is both stunning and slap in the face let down.

    Bottom line: Worth watching for the phenomenal acting, sets, effects, and fearful plot. When it starts to go haywire, skip or fast forward scenes for the win.    … Expand
  21. Skeletor71
    Apr 4, 2018
    9
    It's slow, dark and sometimes hard to follow and understand, but if you give it time it will pull you in more and more. 5 episodes in and I can't wait for the next 5.
  22. BioTofu
    Nov 3, 2018
    9
    A real survival horror with some supernatural twist. Really kept me on my toes. A cast of memorable characters backed by strong acting and visuals. CGI not always great. highly recommended. I cant believe there is going to be a second season though....
  23. eva3si0n
    Sep 24, 2018
    8
    These series are intended to viewing to a narrow circle of people. There is no romanticism of travel. Instead there is a lot of dirt, treachery and severe real life. For 10 series of a lot of things occurs, but action of development of characters doesn't develop characters in any way. The series don't pull on a horror, on the historical drama. Screenwriters have run for 2 hares, and as aThese series are intended to viewing to a narrow circle of people. There is no romanticism of travel. Instead there is a lot of dirt, treachery and severe real life. For 10 series of a lot of things occurs, but action of development of characters doesn't develop characters in any way. The series don't pull on a horror, on the historical drama. Screenwriters have run for 2 hares, and as a result have received that not another. In a plot and in historical reliability the great cast can't even save sag. Too already just the polar expedition when travelers are too easily dressed looks, and at the subzero temperature of air from mouths there are no couples. And though the strongest part of series - art granting and a soundtrack look perfectly, the understanding that everything could be better in respect of the scenario causes disappointment. In general if screenwriters have more taken would be got at the fountain-head even better. And so it is just good series with an unsolved potential. Waiting for the 2nd season.… Expand
  24. jaasieljunior
    May 5, 2018
    10
    The Terror , mesmo com poucos episódios, prendeu bastante a minha atenção quanto ao rumo final de cada personagem envolvido na história. A série não promete grandes reviravoltas mas mesmo assim contagia a quem assiste. The Terror e Counterpart são as melhores estreias do ano até o momento.
  25. NEILTON_1962
    Apr 11, 2018
    7
    Ótima atmosfera, boa fotografia, o piloto e o segundo episódio prendem a atenção do espectador com suspense e uma ótima história. Dei nota 7 por ser começo da temporada. Veremos mais adiante.
  26. Felindie
    Jul 16, 2019
    8
    I love Dan Simmons books, and this is a wonderful adaptation. I really liked the pace.
  27. torreto986
    Jun 21, 2018
    8
    esta muy bien esta serie muy recomendable no es de terra mas intriga la historia muy buena
  28. sickrefdude
    Jul 19, 2018
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A beautiful meditation on death, isolation, the human spirit and imperialism. I was initially wary of the premise (And the network - AMC has been almost exclusively duds for me since Mad Men came to an end.), only taking the plunge based off the hook of a monster. What a surprise it was when I found myself most engrossed when the monster was nowhere to be seen (I love you, Tuunbaq). Finally, a horror show that doesn't shortchange characterization and storytelling for cheap scares and style (the latter the show does have in spades).

    Jared Harris proves what's always been evident - that he's got the chops to lead a series, adding even more depth to the tragedy-prone, hand-wringing worry wort that he perfected as Lane Pryce. Paul Ready and Tobias Menzies tear your heart out with an endless abundance of pathos. Adam Nagaitis gives 2018 it's most iconic smirk, along with a hell-of-a-lot of empathy and nuance for a sociopathic (and eventually psychopathic) narcissist.

    There's also the setting, which earns all of the comparisons to John Carpenter's The Thing, Marcus Fjellstrom's eerie, sparse score that embellishes the ever growing fever dream tone that is the last 4 episodes, and the bleak, isolating cinematography that round The Terror out to my favorite show of 2018 thus far.    … Expand
  29. GarethB
    Mar 24, 2019
    7
    A interesting tale of the lost ships looking for the north west passage, well shot and produced with some excellent acting. It is tense and at times oppressive and captures the mood well. Let down by some pedestrian pacing near the end and rather predictable outcome for what happens to the crew.
  30. greenisgood
    Oct 25, 2020
    10
    The Terror Season 1 was a bleak, stomach turning and harrowing experience to sit through and it delivers this with excellent acting from main and supporting cast. This hybrid of a True Historical Event wrapped in a thin veil of the supernatural is a good premise as long as the writing of the show remains grounded.

    The Good Jared Harris steals the show by a few meters by turning out the    The Terror Season 1 was a bleak, stomach turning and harrowing experience to sit through and it delivers this with excellent acting from main and supporting cast. This hybrid of a True Historical Event wrapped in a thin veil of the supernatural is a good premise as long as the writing of the show remains grounded.

    The Good
    Jared Harris steals the show by a few meters by turning out the best performance amongst many other excellent portrayals in the season. The VFX felt terrifyingly real even though there was not a lot other than endless ice or endless land, it still feels like hell which is not even close to what the actual experience must have been.

    And even though there is a thin layer of the supernatural, it is throughout the show a secondary problem in the face of the sheer human tragedy story that was born out of the real attempt at the Exploration. This woks well as the monster problem or if you want to keep it grounded Wild Bear was not as harrowing as watching the explorers make one tough decision after another heroic or otherwise all in the most understandable motivation of all 'Survival'.

    The Bad
    Very little can be taken as a negative. Maybe the length could be taken as a problem but this is such a nit pick because there is almost no time wasted since the script, screenplay and acting are tight and streamlined.

    The Terror was a very harrowing experience to sit through but engaging and believable nonetheless, believable being relative if you consider the Giant Bear Theory over the show's light supernatural dressing.    … Expand
  31. Jagen
    May 20, 2023
    7
    Fun, if a little over long. An interesting spin on historical fiction. Worth checking out.
  32. Rick444
    Apr 17, 2020
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Starts like mix of adventure historical movie mixed with Lovecraft story... But soon drowns in modern TV cliches where one bad guy keeps evading punishment for the whole series + one monster popping here and there once in a while. That's it. That's really the whole story.… Expand
  33. geewah
    Feb 12, 2021
    8
    A well acted drama/thriller that puts a fictional spin on a true story.
    While there are elements of the supernatural, this series is driven by how far the human mind & spirit can be pushed in desperate situations.
  34. simonkelly26
    Mar 14, 2021
    10
    Masterpiece. Amazing show. Up there with the very best single season tv series I've seen (Chernobyl, Fargo season 1 and Godless). Every aspect of the production is excellent. Incredible writing (characterisation, thematic development, plot and pacing) acting, casting, art direction and cinematography.

Awards & Rankings

45
#45 Best TV Season of 2018
29
#29 Most Discussed TV Season of 2018
62
#62 Most Shared TV Season of 2018

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. i
    Reviewed by: Ed Power
    Dec 3, 2021
    80
    There were no jump scares and little gore. Yet the dread was at moments suffocating and bolstered by strong performances from Ciarán Hinds as the doomed Franklin and Jared Harris as his cautious yet ineffective second-in-command, Captain Francis Crozier.
    Read full review
  2. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Danette Chavez
    Aug 9, 2019
    75
    The season only sputters in the second half; it doesn’t go off the rails. By then, it’s set up a number of storylines with great potential, which all converge to do more than entertain.
    Read full review
  3. The Daily Beast
    Reviewed by: Nick Schager
    Mar 27, 2018
    80
    The Terror is a gripping descent into a deviant heart of darkness, and those with a fondness for true-life enigmas embellished with midnight-movie flourishes will take to its unsettling comingling of the factual and fantastical. Better still, it places a premium not on grisliness but, rather, on the twisted passions and motivations of its fallible protagonists, here embodied by the commanding Hinds and the nuanced Harris.
    Read full review
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