Watchmen (2019)

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Season 1
  • Network: HBO
  • Series Premiere Date: Oct 20, 2019
User Score
5.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 504 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 279 out of 504
  2. Mixed: 40 out of 504
  3. Negative: 185 out of 504

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  1. LatinCritic13
    Oct 20, 2019
    8
    Damon Lindelof’s take of Watchmen is truly unexpected in a way that will make you say wow beyond words. And there is no doubt that the scope of this TV sequel from Zack Snyder's Watchmen continues to grow even bigger thanks to the coherent direction and performances. DC Comics definitely had a fantastic year pulling off with the good times of Shazam!, a first ever Grand Prize win atDamon Lindelof’s take of Watchmen is truly unexpected in a way that will make you say wow beyond words. And there is no doubt that the scope of this TV sequel from Zack Snyder's Watchmen continues to grow even bigger thanks to the coherent direction and performances. DC Comics definitely had a fantastic year pulling off with the good times of Shazam!, a first ever Grand Prize win at Venezia 76 starring the immaculate Joaquin Phoenix as the Joker, and now HBO’s new bigger hit and refreshing take with Watchmen. What an interesting time to be alive.

    (For those that are downvoting this, I can understand you in a way that's more related to today's real time events. Sure, it gets tiring and really flicking repetitive at times for your own taste, but sadly, we're already living in a society that's now more vocal with this kind of stuff nowadays and the cycle won't stop until the new era in entertainment begins. Also, don't expect any heavy choreographic action like the film as this show delivers a drama that will makes viewers talk and think in a good way or in a bad way in Lindelof's Watchmen. I don't lean with either side, but I'm just that guy that wants to enjoy a movie or a show in peace for my taste like everyone else. I'm sorry if this review upsets you but I just want to slide this out of the way.)    … Expand
  2. Thiago20
    Oct 20, 2019
    10
    A incredible series, with incredible actors and one big history to tell. The atmosphere and the mistery move the serie to another world. Wonderfull.
  3. Columbo116
    Oct 20, 2019
    10
    Saw pilot at NYCC, one of the best in ages. Hoping they don't pull a Lost with the finale lol
  4. Raphael2017
    Oct 20, 2019
    10
    Que primeiro episódio foda, fazia tempo que não via algo que me deixasse tão energizado na TV.
  5. All_ButTrU4
    Dec 22, 2021
    8
    Amazing TV show. Super high production quality, incredible complex and interesting story, fascinating to see an alternative history play out, definitely makes you think. btw that episode ''a god walks into abar'' is one of the best episodes I've seen in my life
  6. pur__0_0__
    Apr 20, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Initially it was a bit confusing, but it picked up pace slowly. And that's exactly what's so good about this serial. It doesn't rush at any point. It goes slow, elaborating everything in detail, even the boring parts (which later turn out to be a big plot part). Earlier I wasn't able to understand the whole Ozymandias part, till the Dr Manhattan episode, and as soon as I understood my mind was blown. Same goes for Angela's husband. He seemed kinda annoying and unnecessary, but the moment it was revealed he was Dr Manhattan, my opinion about him took a complete U-Turn.

    The action scenes, the visual appeal, the story, the message, literally everything about this movie is amazing. A recommended watch for all 18+ audience who can appreciate dark stories.    … Expand
  7. JRjr
    Sep 28, 2020
    8
    Really enjoyable show, would have given 9/10 but for the old woman playing agent Blake being really annoying. The rest of the casting was spot on. Regina King and Jeremy Irons were particularly good.
  8. Bertaut1
    Nov 15, 2020
    9
    Exceptional in every way; thematically rich, aesthetically breathtaking, and emotionally devastating

    Written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Dave Gibbons, Watchmen (1986) is well-known for its deconstruction of the superhero genre, dismantling and interrogating virtually every generic trope so as to question the very purpose of such stories. At the same time, its depiction of Cold War    Exceptional in every way; thematically rich, aesthetically breathtaking, and emotionally devastating

    Written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Dave Gibbons, Watchmen (1986) is well-known for its deconstruction of the superhero genre, dismantling and interrogating virtually every generic trope so as to question the very purpose of such stories. At the same time, its depiction of Cold War paranoia and condemnation of right-wing idolatry are front and centre without ever seeming forced. Created by Damon Lindelof (co-creator of Lost and The Leftovers), the most significant thing about this adaptation is that it isn't an adaptation; it's an original story set 33 years after the events of the comic. And is it any good? It's not as good as The Leftovers (what is?), but it is an exceptional piece of work. The acting is immense, the writing is challenging, the aesthetic is stunning. All in all, Watchmen is that rarest of beasts – a show which lives up to the hype.

    Familiarity with the plot of the original isn't a requirement so as to appreciate the sequel, as you're given all the world-building back-info you need, but it can certainly help you get the most out of Lindelof's intricate narrative and thematic tapestry, especially in the earlier episodes. The world of Watchmen is a slightly different version of our world, in which the 1930s saw the rise of "costumed adventurers"; ordinary people who took to the streets to fight crime. The show is set in Tulsa, OK in 2018. White supremacist groups have been on the rise, and police are now allowed to wear masks and remain anonymous. In essence, the story follows the fallout from a murder, which is soon discovered to be much more complex than originally thought.

    Lindelof has stated that he wanted to tackle whatever socio-political issue that was to 2019 as the Cold War was to 1985, and to him, it "felt like it was undeniably race and policing". Politically then, the show does much the same thing as the comic did – it deploys a real-world socio-political problem in a not quite 1:1 fictional milieu. In Reagan's America, it was apocalyptic Cold War paranoia, whereas in Trump's Divided States, it's the rise of right-wing extremism.

    The theme of white and black comes up time and again throughout the series. For example, in "An Almost Religious Awe", a member of the KKK offshoot, Seventh Kavalry, asserts that "white men in masks are heroes. Black men in masks are scary," whilst in "See How They Fly", another member of the group proclaims, "it is extremely difficult to be a white man in America right now". In the same episode, speaking of the President, who has introduced a system of reparations, it's stated, "first he took our guns. And then he made us say sorry. Over and over again. Sorry. Sorry for the alleged sins of those who died decades before we were born. Sorry for the colour of our skin."

    Another major theme is how racial tensions are manifested in law enforcement. As the show begins, we're watching Trust in the Law, a 1921 Oscar Micheaux film about Deputy Bass Reeves, aka The Black Marshal (Bass Reeves was a real marshal and Micheaux was a real director, although Trust in the Law is not a real film). Here, the bad guy wears white (and is white) and the good guy wears black (and is black), thus inverting assumptions. The first scene set in 2018 does something similar as a menacing black cop pulls over a nervous white driver. These two scenes form a beautiful bit of visual story-telling, establishing the centrality of racial tensions, conveying that such things are often more complex than they appear. The show's aesthetic, especially, the cinematography and editing, is also worthy of praise. "This Extraordinary Being", for example, is shot primarily in black and white, and takes place in the 30s and 40s, with the cinematography employing the odd bit of colour here and there within the black and white photography to focus our attention on particular objects. As for "A God Walks Into Abar", if you're interested in learning about editing, watch this episode. Cut by Henk Van Eeghan, it essentially tries to give a visual representation of how Doctor Manhattan experiences time – with every moment in his existence happening all at once, so he can 'remember' things that haven't happened yet. It's a spellbinding exercise in stylistic control, with flawless time jumps that fold organically into one another to form a single cohesive template.

    Watchmen is an exceptionally good show. There will be fans of the comic who'll dislike it on principle. There will also be those who accuse it of pandering to a liberal PC agenda, and there'll be those who simply don't like the idea of a Watchman TV show with a black woman at its centre. Make no mistake, however, this show has been put together by people who know, appreciate, love, and understand the comic. Thematically complex, aesthetically breathtaking, brilliantly acted, Watchmen is an exceptional piece of television.    … Expand
  9. geewah
    Feb 9, 2021
    10
    An ambitious follow up to the Watchmen story but pulled off with aplomp while staying true to the stylings of the graphic novel.
    One of 2019's best shows.
  10. Klebart
    Dec 20, 2019
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. SPOILERS: Thought it was different. It was good but missing something. You can't kill Dr Manhattan as he has copies of himself everywhere and also in time. Thought Ozymandias was murderously insane which was a nice touch, but he was a side story and I thought he would have made the story more interesting. No Owl man which stunk. Silk was also a let down. Hooded Justice story was interesting I guess. Even if they make a season two (which they may not do) I'm not sure I can get behind someone else as Dr Manhattan. Even in season 1 it was hard to see him in another form. I feel like I need to watch more, but I don't think it will help.… Expand
  11. PedroMorgan1234
    Jan 4, 2020
    10
    This show its to much good,Hbo created one of the best show about hq of all time,so this is MY OPINION
  12. carlito000
    Nov 29, 2019
    9
    Loved the movie. Don’t know anything about the comic. Very very ambitious opening episode. Excellent so far. But it needs to be noted: Lindelof shows are not for everybody!! The main reason I’m posting this review is a lot of the low scores almost seem to be from the same person or posters with the same collective ideology. All bleating on about liberals, the left and using the phraseLoved the movie. Don’t know anything about the comic. Very very ambitious opening episode. Excellent so far. But it needs to be noted: Lindelof shows are not for everybody!! The main reason I’m posting this review is a lot of the low scores almost seem to be from the same person or posters with the same collective ideology. All bleating on about liberals, the left and using the phrase “woke”. This has undoubtably lowered the true “user rating” of this show on Metacritic. Not the first time I’ve seen this liberal bashing score lowering phenomenon on this site.… Expand
  13. ptea
    Dec 8, 2019
    10
    I think many of the users who gave this series low score haven't watched it past the fourth episode. That's all I'm saying.
  14. Bone-Thugs
    Dec 8, 2019
    10
    anyone giving a low score def hasnt watched it and are calling it 'woke" all because some neo nazis are one of the antagonists. great show worth watching
  15. TacoSalad
    Dec 17, 2019
    10
    I knew before I came here to rate this show, that the ignorant and intolerant would be here. Most low or 0 votes seem to be from racists that are not voting for the shows merit, and voting with their xenophobic ideology. The Watchmen might me the most interesting and well crafted stories I have ever seen. It’s so layered and complex, at the same time the complexity is easily digestible.I knew before I came here to rate this show, that the ignorant and intolerant would be here. Most low or 0 votes seem to be from racists that are not voting for the shows merit, and voting with their xenophobic ideology. The Watchmen might me the most interesting and well crafted stories I have ever seen. It’s so layered and complex, at the same time the complexity is easily digestible. The story evolves into a tale that I was never expecting. This is refreshing. Most story arcs these days can be figured within the first few episodes or first half of a film. This show is simply worth your time. 10/10.… Expand
  16. cgrossi
    Dec 26, 2019
    10
    One of the best new series I've seen.Not what I expected and took me a bit to get into but it was really well done.
  17. moothemagiccow
    Dec 22, 2019
    8
    The show starts out very confusing, even if you have read the comic book that it is a sequel to. The start is still entertaining and interesting. It starts to make sense around episode 3 and your patience pays off big time in the last four episodes. You should definitely read the comic book before you watch this show.
  18. The3AcademySins
    Jan 2, 2020
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I am going to make a bold claim and say that HBO's first season of Watchmen is one of the best sequels I have ever had the pleasure of watching. It's also an incredible return to form for HBO after the complete misfire of Game of Thrones Season 8 and the let down that was Euphoria Season 1. Damon Lindelhoff is an absolute genius to find everything that he does in the original text of Watchmen and adapt it for the screen. There are some fanciful elements near the end of the show that do stray from the original message of the Watchmen comic, and it is important for me to note that this is a true sequel to the Watchmen graphic novel, NOT the movie. I can't stress enough how intelligent this show is, but if you haven't read the comic, you will probably be pretty lost. Also, the first episode of this show is a real life racist detector, and all these reviews that trashed the whole series after the first episode definitely failed that racist detector. Watchmen was already woke back in the 80s, some of these reviews are just mean.… Expand
  19. Philympia5280
    Dec 20, 2019
    9
    This show is two things: a very entertaining and smart use of source material, and Damon Lindelof’s best show. I loved the Watchmen books and the show is not the show I expected to watch. It turned out to be fresh, smart, surprising and able to subvert and exceed all expectations. Much like the Last Jedi, it will tick off the type of fan who have already written a sequel in their mind.This show is two things: a very entertaining and smart use of source material, and Damon Lindelof’s best show. I loved the Watchmen books and the show is not the show I expected to watch. It turned out to be fresh, smart, surprising and able to subvert and exceed all expectations. Much like the Last Jedi, it will tick off the type of fan who have already written a sequel in their mind. However if you are not a closed door to Watchmen IP then this show is brilliant. My only real complaint is I wish there were more episodes.… Expand
  20. GrimChaos
    Jan 7, 2020
    9
    Surprisingly, it was really good. I was a little worried when I saw the trailer. I'm a big fan of the comic and I feel like it was a worthy sequel. Was it perfect? No, but still worth a watch.
  21. rob_vz
    Jan 13, 2020
    8
    The politics are definitely black and white, with lots of sinister white people and angelic black heroes, but the film-making is superb, awesome sound design, and it builds to a great finale.
  22. Neil_D_Forrest
    Jan 12, 2020
    10
    A powerful and engaging series taking the watchmen universe into new territory.
    Great performances, visually stunning and my favourite show of 2019. I hope they make many more.
  23. Shin0bi12
    Dec 9, 2019
    10
    People complaining that the show is too politically driven and then say that they love the original comic are just clowning themselves, Watchmen was always based around political strife surrounding the era it takes place in, now in a modern day setting it'll obviously be based around today's political environment. At its core Watchmen is supposed to be about moral ambiguity and conflictPeople complaining that the show is too politically driven and then say that they love the original comic are just clowning themselves, Watchmen was always based around political strife surrounding the era it takes place in, now in a modern day setting it'll obviously be based around today's political environment. At its core Watchmen is supposed to be about moral ambiguity and conflict between moral absolutism, and that's what this show precisely gets.… Expand
  24. SirSwan
    Nov 13, 2019
    10
    I do not care that it's not following the comics, I love the novelty of it! I actually look forward to new episodes and so far have not been disappointed! I can't stand woke culture and the forced propaganda Hollywood puts in stuff nowadays, but I don't actually feel it to be the case with this show just because there is a black female lead and a white supremicist subplot.

    Most of the    I do not care that it's not following the comics, I love the novelty of it! I actually look forward to new episodes and so far have not been disappointed! I can't stand woke culture and the forced propaganda Hollywood puts in stuff nowadays, but I don't actually feel it to be the case with this show just because there is a black female lead and a white supremicist subplot.

    Most of the negative rewiews are "Derpa, derpa, its not the same as the comic book, derpa, depra" Get your head out of your behind and look at the show as a new thing with familiar elements and it's great!    … Expand
  25. pit7
    Nov 29, 2019
    10
    Have an open mind and enjoy pure graphic novel bliss. I've read the original twice and think Lindelof takes great care to further the deep seeded themes into the 21st century. What a time to be alive.
  26. southernsun
    Nov 25, 2019
    10
    Amazing TV show. Super high production quality, incredible complex and interesting story, fascinating to see an alternative history play out, definitely makes you think. Honestly no clue what all the negative reviews are about beyond the fact that they don't like that the white supremacists are the bad guys???
  27. fmancheno42
    Nov 24, 2019
    10
    It might resent some of the original fans, but Watchmen (the show) builds on the moral complexities of the comic book that preceded it. It adds new layers of social issues, puts its focus on a more diverse cast of characters, and creates an eerily accurate allegorical parallel of an America that's still uneasily navigating its history into the beginning of the 21st Century.
  28. qualifiers
    Dec 1, 2019
    7
    I am fascinated by the world explored in this show, but worried the show writers will keep piling on mysteries at the expense of coherence. The show's set in an alternate universe where Robert Redford has been president for 30 years and instituted reparations (all of this is revealed in the first episode). I like how the show takes time to explore the consequences of reparations – good andI am fascinated by the world explored in this show, but worried the show writers will keep piling on mysteries at the expense of coherence. The show's set in an alternate universe where Robert Redford has been president for 30 years and instituted reparations (all of this is revealed in the first episode). I like how the show takes time to explore the consequences of reparations – good and bad – instead of hitting listeners over the head with moral lessons. This truly does feel like a fully fleshed out alternate world, with politics that are just as messy and complicated as our own. I also love the show's tense atmosphere. The show has a slow pace and often stops to linger on things that look slightly unsettling or out of place. However, there are certain storylines that seem designed to be stylish mystery boxes and nothing else. There are so many characters that very few get any real development, and some exist only to further the plot and hint at big reveals. I worry that, like "Westworld," this show will spend too much time trying to surprise and shock viewers with complicated plot twists at the expense of actually developing the characters or resolving anything. Still, the first 5 episodes intrigued me and I intend to keep watching and hope for the best.… Expand
  29. Dhannano
    Nov 22, 2019
    10
    Anyone who is accusing Watchmen of being a "woke liberal" political commentary probably would gladly put on one of those white and black masks. It is very much in the Watchmen's theme set to have contemporary political commentary so chill out and just watch the show (or not).
  30. CrimsonFlush
    Oct 26, 2019
    10
    Oh, dear, people are unhappy about their comics being too left-leaning again.

    The CW’s Batwoman was initially getting review bombed by a bunch of people (because … women and gays? Not in my Gotham!) and now that trend has continued with HBO’s Watchmen series, which premiered this weekend. According to CBR, the show has a 93% Fresh rating from critics but is scored at 49% by audiences.    Oh, dear, people are unhappy about their comics being too left-leaning again.

    The CW’s Batwoman was initially getting review bombed by a bunch of people (because … women and gays? Not in my Gotham!) and now that trend has continued with HBO’s Watchmen series, which premiered this weekend. According to CBR, the show has a 93% Fresh rating from critics but is scored at 49% by audiences. Of course, there are those with legitimate criticism of the series—as I have my own—but many other complaints are about the show’s perceived “politically correct” narrative and it being “too woke,” upset that this new series has a very political stance.

    Except that, you know, the original comic by Alan Moore is super political, left-leaning, and was created to mock a lot of things. But you know, people don’t actually like to think about it, especially when it comes to one character in particular: Rorschach, Ted Cruz’s favorite.

    In the show, there is a white supremacist group called the “Seventh Kavalry” in Tulsa that has taken to Rorschach’s black-and-white mask, and they are acting up in response to President Robert Redford’s push to implement reparations to those affected by past racial injustices. That absolutely makes sense, since Rorschach, in the comics, is outwardly (checks the list) racist, homophobic, sexist, and a total and complete fascist. Alan Moore literally wrote him to make fun of The Question, Mr. A, and a bunch of other Steve Ditko comic characters that the artist/writer used to promote his Ayn Randian ideals.

    Watchmen has always been about taking the idea of superheroes to its natural conclusion with the events in world history. That’s why, at least from my perspective, the issue of reparations makes sense in this context. For the first time in a long time, that is a serious topic of debate, and with the presidency something you can do for unlimited terms in the world of Watchmen, a president, especially a popular one, could tackle that kind of legislation. In a place like Tulsa, which has always had a racial divide and dark history of white inhabitants being antagonistic when their Black counterparts make it, this just seems like the natural conclusion—especially when Rorschach’s journals were shared with the equivalent of Breitbart News.

    These white supremacists are the logical conclusion to his rhetoric.

    Does that mean you’re a white supremacist if that was your favorite character in the comics? No … unless you actually are a white supremacist. Rorschach is an interesting character because Alan Moore is a good writer and knows how to teach without preaching. His work is layered and thoughtful but also filled with clear intent. From what I have watched of the show, while it isn’t perfect, I’m willing to give Damon Lindelof room to tell the story as long as he does the same. Well, as much room as you can give a former Lost showrunner, but that’s a whole different kettle of alien squid.

    Still, more than anything, I wish that audience reviews stopped being a way for people to drag something for being “too woke,” because it creates bad faith for everyone. We are allowed to have different tastes and have our political leaning affect out taste, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be fair.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

18
#18 Best TV Season of 2019
3
#3 Most Discussed TV Season of 2019
70
#70 Most Shared TV Season of 2019

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
85

Universal acclaim - based on 35 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 35
  3. Negative: 0 out of 35
  1. The Times
    Reviewed by: Carol Midgley
    Jan 7, 2020
    80
    Weird, weird, weird, but definitely not boring.
    Read full review
  2. The Guardian
    Reviewed by: Lucy Mangan
    Dec 3, 2019
    80
    It is a bravura series that interrogates power, storytelling and the former embedded in the latter. It has a (still unusually) diverse cast, writing team and cohort of directors in terms of both sex and class, and, even as it strays from Moore and Gibbons’ original content, it honours their underlying ambition: to deconstruct our legends and our myths, ask where they come from, what purpose they serve; and to make us think and think again about who tells us what, why – and why they are the ones who get to do so.
    Read full review
  3. TV Guide Magazine
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    Nov 6, 2019
    70
    You may not always be sure what you're watching, but good luck taking your eyes off Watchmen. [28 Oct - 10 Nov 2019, p.8]
See all critic reviews »