The Young Pope

:

Season 1
User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 167 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 124 out of 167
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 167
  3. Negative: 27 out of 167
Watch Now

Where To Watch

Buy on
Stream On

Review this tv show

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling

User Reviews

view
per page
  1. everett
    Jan 23, 2017
    5
    That a premise this original could wind up being repetitive and ultimately shallow is quite a feat - and a lost opportunity. Jude Law's talents are wasted in a role where his backstory as an abandoned orphan has to explain (over and over again) a bizarre nature and an arrogance that never varies, scene to scene. It's a one-note performance. Why should we care about this man? Or anyoneThat a premise this original could wind up being repetitive and ultimately shallow is quite a feat - and a lost opportunity. Jude Law's talents are wasted in a role where his backstory as an abandoned orphan has to explain (over and over again) a bizarre nature and an arrogance that never varies, scene to scene. It's a one-note performance. Why should we care about this man? Or anyone else here? This is another example of HBO doing spectacle at the expense of heart and soul, aspiring toward profundity but failing. We know more about power-hungry prelates than Sorrentino gives us credit for; they all seem familiar, and the Pope is ultimately a bore. Unless you're into expensive production values and don't need well-developed, unfolding, interesting characters, there's just no reason to watch.… Expand
  2. A7sus4
    Jan 26, 2017
    5
    This is the kinda thing some people will actually like for some bizarre pretentious or political reason and a lot of people will say they like despite not because they don't want to seem stupid. Trust me, you're not stupid, this show is. The cast and cinematography are excellent, the story on the other hand, well, it's slow, overly heady, and 3 episodes in remains directionless.
  3. Soothsay3r
    Jan 20, 2017
    6
    This show has a great start, daring, outrageous, but it is dragged down by a cheesy and dumbed down second act that fits better in a Sunday afternoon matinée film, with such an abrupt transition that makes the viewer feel that he missed some episode. There are even examples that the idea seems to be someone is being two-faced, but in the end is just a feelgood narrative tool.

    Shame such    This show has a great start, daring, outrageous, but it is dragged down by a cheesy and dumbed down second act that fits better in a Sunday afternoon matinée film, with such an abrupt transition that makes the viewer feel that he missed some episode. There are even examples that the idea seems to be someone is being two-faced, but in the end is just a feelgood narrative tool.

    Shame such a daring idea ended up in the most boring tone one could imagine.    … Expand
  4. chidime
    Apr 17, 2017
    6
    Show started out really good. Great concept and great introduction. I had high hopes for this. But it got really annoying towards the middle. I stopped watching and won't finish it. Waste of concept.
  5. 100tifiko
    Dec 30, 2017
    6
    La primicia me atrajo, original, provocativa pero luego se vuelve lenta e incluso predecible, nunca me enganche a ella y vaya si lo intenté.

Awards & Rankings

100
#100 Best TV Season of 2017
48
#48 Most Discussed TV Season of 2017
1
#1 Most Shared TV Season of 2017

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 38 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 38
  3. Negative: 0 out of 38
  1. Under The Radar
    Reviewed by: Joseph Ragusa
    Jan 25, 2017
    85
    In the end, it's Law's incredible performance--certainly one of his best--that makes Lenny compelling, mysterious, and complex. We can't help but fall under his charismatic spell and stick with him through trying moments.
    Read full review
  2. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Robert Rorke
    Jan 17, 2017
    50
    The humorless Young Pope doesn’t exactly crackle as a backstage political drama. Many of the scenes seem stagey, with actors gliding in and out of large rooms to be received at a wooden desk.
    Read full review
  3. Newark Star-Ledger
    Reviewed by: Vicki Hyman
    Jan 17, 2017
    50
    With its over-the-top plot and rococo themes, it just comes across as Eurotrash--intellectually pretentious, but it sure is pretty to look at it.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »