Thirteen

:

Season 1
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
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Critic Reviews

  1. Time
    Reviewed by: Daniel D'Addario
    Jun 27, 2016
    80
    Switching from subdued to rageful, actor Jodie Comer convinces you both Ivy's fears and her feral side.
  2. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Tim Goodman
    Jun 23, 2016
    80
    The pacing, the writing, the directing all contribute to making Thirteen seem unusually fresh within the framework of a familiar story, but there's no getting around the fact that Comer, as Ivy, absolutely seizes the opportunity here to be daring.
  3. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Robert Lloyd
    Jun 23, 2016
    80
    For a crime story it is unusually gentle and generous toward its characters; it is not cynical or despairing--indeed, it is in the end a love story, or rather, several interlocking love stories set in contrast to the pathological mockery of one.
  5. Wall Street Journal
    Reviewed by: Dorothy Rabinowitz
    Jun 21, 2016
    80
    Ms. Comer delivers a compelling portrayal as Ivy, who, even in the grip of terror, projects an air of dangerousness. She’s fragile, but has also developed a core of steel—her experience has made her tough, as she shows throughout the five episodes of this thriller entirely worthy of the name.
  6. St. Louis Post-Dispatch
    Reviewed by: Gail Pennington
    Jun 23, 2016
    75
    Fans of British drama will appreciate the detail and nuance with which creator and writer Marnie Dickens explores the subject and characters. And don't relax too much into the apparent familiarity. Thirteen takes white-knuckle turns that elevate it from the expected.
  7. Boston Herald
    Reviewed by: Mark A. Perigard
    Jun 23, 2016
    75
    Comer’s performance--as a 26-year-old stunted as a 13-year-old--is beautiful. She can be endearing, mystifying and aggravating, sometimes in the same moment. She’ll keep you coming back to a mystery that grows darker with every revelation.
  8. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: David Wiegand
    Jun 22, 2016
    75
    The performances of the entire cast of Thirteen, and by Comer in particular, counterbalance many but not all of the weak spots in the over-plotted script.
  9. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Ariana Bacle
    Jun 20, 2016
    75
    Thirteen is an occasionally horrifying, mostly captivating look at how a woman tries to grow up after not having the chance to. [24 Jun 2016, p.53]
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  10. TV Guide Magazine
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    Jun 16, 2016
    70
    Effective as a thriller until its predictably over-the-top climax, Thirteen is even better as a character study of an emotionally fragile, needy and enigmatic young woman trying to regain her sense of self as she tests all of the relationships in her new world. [20-26 Jun 2016, p.17]
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  11. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Gwen Ihnat
    Jun 23, 2016
    42
    An intriguing miniseries could be made about Stockholm syndrome, but this isn’t it. Instead, it’s just a pale, murky example of how an artistic surface can’t gloss over an unconvincing foundation of plot and characters underneath.

Awards & Rankings

66
#66 Best TV Season of 2016

User Reviews

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User Score
5.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 19 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 19
  3. Negative: 5 out of 19
  1. Carmelitaclaro
    Sep 7, 2016
    4
    This is an entertaining series, but is horrible. Is all about the police re victimizing a kidnapped girl over and over again. Don't think itThis is an entertaining series, but is horrible. Is all about the police re victimizing a kidnapped girl over and over again. Don't think it is a good thing. Horrible.… Full Review »
  2. Bleat0124
    Aug 2, 2016
    7
    The long term plotting--hell, the writing overall is the ultimate letdown in this series. There are aspects that will have you rolling yourThe long term plotting--hell, the writing overall is the ultimate letdown in this series. There are aspects that will have you rolling your eyes. Fat that could have been cut out. The actors did the best they could with what they were given--down to every man it seemed. Yet, the show stopper was Jodie Comer. If there is any reason to watch this series, she is it. The direction was clean throughout. Unfocused--would be my only biggest problem. It tries to go in too many directions.… Full Review »
  3. shellview
    Jul 4, 2016
    7
    I have a sense that I have seen this story before whether as part of a mystery series from the UK or as a stand alone. I know all the twistsI have a sense that I have seen this story before whether as part of a mystery series from the UK or as a stand alone. I know all the twists and turns before they happen. That being said I find "Thirteen" a good mini-series although with some serious flaws. The actress playing the mother is terrible and annoying. I am not sure whether it is the writing, direction or acting but she ruins every scene she is in. The rest of the cast is quite good especially the actors who play Tim and the sister. Unfortunately there are many implausible scenes such as when Ivy is allowed to go alone to see Tim at his bar at night while the cop sits in the car. Also in the first episode while interviewing Ivy the female cop leaves to help the mother make tea leaving Ivy alone with the male cop. Really? The story itself is well written and interesting though but not up to the standards of most mysteries/police dramas from the UK.… Full Review »
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