Watchmen (2019)

:

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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User Reviews

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  1. angrymax
    Dec 9, 2019
    10
    Best show on TV!! The story is amazing, and it will blow your mind! A must watch!
  2. Vilen
    Dec 3, 2019
    10
    This show has been great so far! I really enjoy going through the Peteypedia after episodes.
  3. metachirrup
    Jan 26, 2020
    9
    One of the best series out there at the moment. Some of the best twists through re-contextualisation I've seen in any series. Great acting, diverse characters and great music. Regarding the bad reviews... regretfully this outstanding series seems to be caught up in the hyper-sensitive, anti-woke and polarised culture. It isn't pushing an agenda. It is just good story telling.
  4. SkullBoy92
    Oct 28, 2019
    10
    First episode have my curiosity second have my attention. I understand that Watchmen 2019 may be hard to understand for people outside comic book community but figuring out how this world is working is great part of fun. I think it may be not acknowledged as ground breaking now but for me it is best new show for 2019.
  5. viroodiem
    Nov 10, 2019
    0
    Commits the cardinal sin of a TV show. Being boring and unwatchable. The shows only saving grace is its soundtrack. Wont make it to season 2 with lukewarm reception and over priced budget.
  6. Ascospore
    Nov 26, 2019
    9
    A genius sequel to novel. Watchmen for here and now. Intricate and faithful interpretation of the limited series with awesome new credentials. Those butthurt fools that rushed to tear Lindelof a new one after watching the pilot are secretly tuning in each week.
  7. Bubber
    Dec 26, 2019
    1
    Just No, this is another example of what happens when diversity and progressive values become more important than creating good entertainment. Besides the name it's got nothing to do with the original Watchmen comic. I hope this series is cancelled so we never have to talk about it again.
  8. AlexGonzSalsa
    Oct 28, 2019
    10
    There's way more to this show than what appears on the surface. Really fascinated with the direction, and with anyone saying that this show is too political...dude, the book was super political. The ugly side of extreme ideologies is the center of the show, and I cant wait to see what happens next.
  9. sonusko
    Nov 4, 2019
    10
    If you are looking for by the book sequel (as apparently many of the denizens of the internet are), I would encourage you to skip this program and purchase a ticket to the next Transformers film. HBO made a near perfect decision in placing Damon Lindelof as showrunner as he adds to the universe in inspired ways, while maintaining an original and unique take (apparently a lower priority forIf you are looking for by the book sequel (as apparently many of the denizens of the internet are), I would encourage you to skip this program and purchase a ticket to the next Transformers film. HBO made a near perfect decision in placing Damon Lindelof as showrunner as he adds to the universe in inspired ways, while maintaining an original and unique take (apparently a lower priority for some). HBO production values, amazing ensemble cast and Trent Reznor soundtrack make this one of the best new shows in recent memory.… Expand
  10. OlivierPiel
    Dec 8, 2019
    2
    With this show Lindelof shows that he doesn't have the discipline, self-restraint and vision to create a TV show to adapt ideas other than his owns .
    In Lost he mixed philosophical ideas that he clearly only superficially understands to create an aura of self-importance. The premisses were at least tantalizing and the production top-notch.
    In the Leftovers, a show which I enjoyed, he    With this show Lindelof shows that he doesn't have the discipline, self-restraint and vision to create a TV show to adapt ideas other than his owns .
    In Lost he mixed philosophical ideas that he clearly only superficially understands to create an aura of self-importance. The premisses were at least tantalizing and the production top-notch.
    In the Leftovers, a show which I enjoyed, he went into a full surrealistic bend, that yielded some great episodes, thanks to superior production values again. However , one must acknowledge that most of it was sophomoric nonsense.
    With Watchmen, he can't bring himself to adhere to the limitations that the original story forces him to consider. A bit like a student who doesn't want to answer the question in the essay but runs wild with his own -very stupid- ideas.
    Case in point: The story of the German attempts to undermine the morale of black soldiers. To think that some of the best educated soldiers (which is the case of the protagonist) would seriously consider the propaganda is patronizing and insulting.    … Expand
  11. danielsdeboer
    Oct 31, 2019
    10
    This show understands the graphic novel much, much better than the movie did. Some of the extrapolations, especially around Rorschach becoming a mascot for white supremacists, are absolute spot on. It feels at once of a piece with but also interested in different things from the novel as well, which is great, nobody needs yet another paint-by-numbers superhero fetish piece.
  12. chookalana
    Nov 4, 2019
    9
    This IS NOT a sequel to the movie. It is a direct sequel to the comic book maxi-series. Some great call backs to the books and tons of Easter eggs. I love the fact we live in a time where a big budget HBO series is a sequel of a comic book and not the movie.
  13. johngodfrey
    Dec 11, 2019
    10
    Watchmen isn't only the best show of 2019—it may just be the best show of the decade (sorry, Better Call Saul). Alan Moore fanboys need to grow up and get over themselves and evaluate the show based on its own merits, which are epic. This is astonishing television.
  14. joan
    Oct 26, 2019
    10
    Worth seeing just for the historical significance of the opening scene of the first episode. After seeing the pilot, I am intrigued, impressed, confused (intentionally), and eager to see more.
  15. Kursch
    Oct 25, 2019
    10
    Great pilot. For those who think that HBO's watchman is some sort of SJW power fantasy, they couldn't be more wrong. Watchman is a sci-fi show about what would happen if left wing liberals took control of the government and enacted policies to create equity, only to make the world into a dystopia. The police in this show may need permission to use their guns, but they seem to haveGreat pilot. For those who think that HBO's watchman is some sort of SJW power fantasy, they couldn't be more wrong. Watchman is a sci-fi show about what would happen if left wing liberals took control of the government and enacted policies to create equity, only to make the world into a dystopia. The police in this show may need permission to use their guns, but they seem to have unlimited authority when it comes to detaining and interrogating suspects. Fantastic sci-fi at its best.… Expand
  16. Pendar_99
    Nov 5, 2019
    10
    “Watchmen” has already provided a bounty of intelligent theories to study and debate, but it’s designed to be one helluva good time, as well."
  17. Mackentosh
    Nov 9, 2019
    10
    Wasn't too sure if I liked it after watching the first episode, but episode two pulled me in and this show is amazing!
  18. 100LL
    Dec 21, 2019
    2
    Great production quality i will say that. I loved the comic and the movie thats why i tuned in. Thats also why i wont be returning. Turning rorshack into a white supremacist? I dont mind politics in my entertainment when its in world politics. I HATE virtue signaling in my entertainment. If you like SJW ram rod virtue signaling you will love this. Thats is the only thing it offers.
  19. Tgc
    Nov 20, 2020
    2
    Basically it is show about strong black woman killing bad white men. If it wasn't loosely based on cult comic book, probably no one will care about this series.
  20. boredboredbored
    Apr 26, 2020
    2
    If you are utterly bored in lockdown, or literally have nothing else going on in your life, give this series a watch. The action sequences are entertaining and well choreographed, and the cinematorgraphy is well done and oft times downright beautiful. The writing occasionally brushes up against a good idea before veering away with screeching tires. Right, now on to the butchering:

    The    If you are utterly bored in lockdown, or literally have nothing else going on in your life, give this series a watch. The action sequences are entertaining and well choreographed, and the cinematorgraphy is well done and oft times downright beautiful. The writing occasionally brushes up against a good idea before veering away with screeching tires. Right, now on to the butchering:

    The story jumps about in time frequently, but only tells you so with about half the jumps. Someone needs to tell these geniuses that confusion does not equal mystery. Especially not when the confusion stems from the story breaking it's own storytelling rules! Multiple events and characters are treated as signifcant, only to be instantly dropped and never mentioned again (I call this "Lost Syndrome"). It's like there was no consensus among the directors as to how the story is supposed to unfold ("Disney Star Wars Syndrome").

    The lead actress is miscast. Her character demands a certain energy from the actress which she - Regina King - fails to convey in nearly every scene. The constant braying of muh racism gets a little boring as well, unless you're really into that, or get off on ethnomasochism.

    But the worst sin of this series is the way the themes of both comic and film are missed, and the character of Dr. Manhattan is mishandled (really if you know even the slightest thing about him, this series is a 9-episode urination on his character). It was as if the writers were told the story this series is supposedly a sequel to by a drunk friend who skips over the most pertinent details. And don't get me started on the denouement of the final episode: let's kill a whole bunch of people to prevent X from happening...hey you know what would be a great idea? Let's make X happen!

    Eh...on second, if you're really bored, rather watch paint dry.    … Expand
  21. DwayneHawkins
    Jan 26, 2020
    5
    Episode 1 was boring, as well as most of episode 2, but at the end of this episode, it became interesting.
    Episode 3 and 4 were pretty decent and I had high hopes.
    But alas, episode 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 were boring.
  22. voodoo-goose
    Apr 23, 2020
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I give this series 2 points for good acting, good story-telling and good tension. Also, it gets the two points: one for each of the original watchmen in the story. Sure, Silk Spectre is there, but she isn't Silk Spectre anymore anyway - she's joined the government (working for the enemy, as far as original Watchmen is concerned).

    First, the good. It really is good acting, it's quite nicely paced and the tension doesn't really let up.

    Now, the bad. It's got absolutely nothing in common with the original Watchmen, which if you read (or saw the movie) was very anti-government, anti-liberal and very pro-individual-rights. In fact, the very first page of original Watchmen says this: "Now the whole world stands on the brink, staring down into the bloody hell, all those liberals and intellectuals and smooth-talkers... ... and all of a sudden nobody can think of anything to say."

    This series is the exact opposite of that, the exact opposite of what the Watchmen were, and what they wanted to do. The series has none of the conflict or the profound paradox of the original Watchmen. The deep questions about morality and politics and war and love that was in the original Watchmen are missing from this series. All of that has been replaced by an almost endless litany of preaching; the message of "white men bad, everyone else good" is reinforced in every episode. All the women are strong or black or both, all the men are neutered, even if they're black.

    Speaking of neutering, the two remaining watchmen in this series, Ozymandias and Dr Manhatten, have been reduced in apparent power and intelligence (can't have the legends overshadow the new characters, I expect).

    Ozymandias, for example, is not the almost-prescient thinker and strategist from the original Watchmen. He doesn't have any of his reputed fighting skills (bar one scene) and is easily taken down with a blow to the back of the head **after being told he was being arrested**. The original Ozymandias would not, after being told he was going to be arrested, have let one of the two officers calmly walk around him and bop him on the head.

    Dr Manhatten gets an even worse butchering of his character. For absolutely no reason at all, he leaves Mars, comes to earth and tells a woman he has never met that he is in love with her. At the end, when he knows that they are about to capture and kill him, he simply stands for a few seconds in front of their trap while it energises to capture him. Everything he does is out of character for Dr Manhatten. There is no conflict in him; in the original Watchmen we get the sense of an almost godlike being, someone capable of seeing through time, dealing with internal conflict as he loses his humanity and tries to hang on to his morality. The Dr Manhatten of this series is almost completely human since arriving from Mars, and only cares about the falling in love bits of the plot.

    They really should have called this series something else; it is not done in the dystopian atmosphere of Watchmen. It has an altogether different feel to it. The society feels more like George Orwell's 1984, where the arrested have no right to a trial; where, in a US state, the arrested can be judged and executed on the spot by the arresting officer; where the police wear masks; where the guns have been confiscated from the population ... and this series tries its best convince the viewer that all of this **is a good thing**.

    I would say watch this if you like superficial storylines, plot holes you could drive a truck through, never-ending politicisation ... and good acting. Do not watch this if you were expecting the complex and intricate world of the original Watchmen to be continued. This series does not do that.    … Expand
  23. maje90
    Jul 6, 2020
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The comic is great, the 2009 film was good (and a nice adaptation of the comic, i think), but this is just trash.
    Noone will remember this series, plot is boring and nonsense.
    This doesn't exist.
    Original Watchmen have no sequel.

    3/10 just because some part with Ozymandias were not totally boring.    … Expand
  24. mathias860
    Feb 26, 2021
    3
    I didn't know anything about watchmen before watching this. Here is my view of how the show works:

    episodes 1 - 2: a very cool and emotional crime x police story to trick you to watch the rest of the show

    episodes 3 - 8: introducing new characters and crazy nonsense background stories while you slowly forget to care about the main characters

    last episode: the actual story
  25. butrflybecca
    Oct 30, 2019
    10
    This show is amazing. It's dealing with a piece of history not taught in our schools. I like the race/gender angle because it speaks to issues of today and yesterdays.
  26. shoulderoforion
    Oct 21, 2019
    10
    Watched the movie back in the day, loved it, gets rewatched at least once a year. Last nights Premiere was excellent, but just being a pleb, what would I know, besides the fact I liked it and found it fascinating, and am eagerly looking forward to the series. Amazing seeing what sort of pushback we're seeing from the MAGA and Incel crowd, woof, doesn't bode well for when the rule of lawWatched the movie back in the day, loved it, gets rewatched at least once a year. Last nights Premiere was excellent, but just being a pleb, what would I know, besides the fact I liked it and found it fascinating, and am eagerly looking forward to the series. Amazing seeing what sort of pushback we're seeing from the MAGA and Incel crowd, woof, doesn't bode well for when the rule of law attempts to retake our fractured nation. Buy batteries, plant vegetables.… Expand
  27. Yaman1648
    Nov 3, 2019
    0
    Woke trash full of left wing agitprops, plenty of good tv series that aren't propaganda so don't waste your time on this.
  28. andy_lad_roo
    Nov 17, 2019
    8
    This is a great show. Simple. I am reading a number of the reviews on here and am pretty much feel nauseous. What is it with white folk being so upset with any piece of TV or film giving over the lead theme or role to black individuals??? It's not part of a race war!!!!! It's the "Hollywood establishment" realising that they have been predominantly racist to the advantage of white peopleThis is a great show. Simple. I am reading a number of the reviews on here and am pretty much feel nauseous. What is it with white folk being so upset with any piece of TV or film giving over the lead theme or role to black individuals??? It's not part of a race war!!!!! It's the "Hollywood establishment" realising that they have been predominantly racist to the advantage of white people since they began, and perhaps now is the time to make some amends? No, Alan Moore doesn't like it. He has never liked a single piece of work that has attempted to adapt what he saw as HIS COMICS. No, its not a direct interpretation of the original graphic novel. Get over it and expand your mind. Acknowledge that the story of black oppression is real and compelling and makes for good TV. And as much as it upsets you to see the "white dude" as the bad guy... they have been the good guy by default for waaaaaay too long, and its about time it was mixed up and made a bit grey.

    Sincerely,

    Some white dude    … Expand
  29. xjcln
    Oct 27, 2019
    10
    Well shot, well acted, interesting setting, tension in first episode is palpable. Really excited to see how this show plays out.
  30. Slappyhappysam
    Oct 30, 2019
    10
    Masterful. With a great blend of action, drama and thoughtful social commentary, this season is off to a terrific start. Visually arresting. Anyone who doesn’t think the original graphic novel was political either hasn’t read or doesn’t understand it.
  31. ExhibitAtrocity
    Oct 30, 2019
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The series has been great so far. The people who are complaining about it being woke probably haven't read the graphic novel. Also other than white supremacists who has a problem with white supremacists being portrayed as the antagonists.… Expand
  32. RJnator
    Nov 6, 2019
    7
    This show isn't done yet so I may update this, but so far its got some good mystery, world-building, and cinematography and I like it.
  33. GuilhermeCursi
    Oct 27, 2019
    10
    Com referências aos quadrinhos, boa atuação de Regina King o episódio piloto traz mistérios e nós deixa com muita duvida do que virá pela frente.
  34. kgiverso
    Oct 25, 2019
    8
    A fresh take from Lindelof using the framework of the original graphic novel.
  35. KingLaMar
    Oct 30, 2019
    10
    I love the show, while some are concerned with racism as we deal with in reality it's still an issue. Rather the comic has racism in it or not its still a good show. I hope the show doesn't get canceled.
  36. Noaah
    Oct 22, 2019
    8
    It is very different from the Snyder version of 10 years ago, although I was a bit confused; However, I can say it was a good start, maybe it didn't start in the best way but it's worth seeing
  37. LastPadawan
    Oct 22, 2019
    9
    Avançando a história sem apelar pra autoreferência, embora haja, em menor escala, algumas homenagens, o que é aceitável e obrigatório já que se passam no mesmo universo e uma (série) é continuidade da outra(graphic novel).
  38. Rubadiri
    Oct 25, 2019
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Brave choices thus far. Respects the essence and truth of the classic comic series. Compelling.… Expand
  39. Joes
    Oct 20, 2019
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Excelente temporada una de las mejores de este año 100% reco y más si eres fan de los cómics… Expand
  40. KayVinceClear
    Nov 4, 2019
    10
    This show had so many 0s and 10s i had to watch for myself. You should too. Its not The watchmen you think it is. The original takes place in 1939 while this show takes place in a parallel current day. That alone without spoilers is your only warning. Any show that takes place in the world should take into account current issues. Im really disappointing at all the nerds to can't handleThis show had so many 0s and 10s i had to watch for myself. You should too. Its not The watchmen you think it is. The original takes place in 1939 while this show takes place in a parallel current day. That alone without spoilers is your only warning. Any show that takes place in the world should take into account current issues. Im really disappointing at all the nerds to can't handle social commentary especially from a series that started as a satirical MAD magazine spinoff. lotta complaints about it pandering to liberals. But Honestly i can't see a Liberal world where Black people fight with the cops to violate folks human rights and side with nazis. I can see from a lot of these reveiws that folks didnt watch this show or didn't read the comic. The show has good and bad elements. i'm rating it a ten because thats how meta Works ether you love it or its a trash fire. In actually i'd probably give it a 8 8.5 after the first two eps. I really don't like some of the camera work, or music. Also whats with all the mentions of Good Omens and The Boys? Those are good shows but not even apples to oranges with this show more like apples to bread. They are good shows but dont need to be propped up to put down another show they are fine on their own.… Expand
  41. UncleWillard
    Oct 22, 2019
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I'm cautiously optimistic because it's such a bizarre little universe they've created. I want to see where it goes. Yes, it's obvious there's a point being made about racism, but in an alternative universe. It's an opportunity to observe race in a crucible that's outside our own reality. I'm fine with that, as long as it's done responsibly and without rancor. So far I'm not seeing any rancor. American Gods had its moments like this too, what with Mr. Nancy, which I thought was brilliant (Orlando Jones is brilliant in it too).

    The preview for the rest of the season looks interesting too. The only thing that kinds yanks me out of my suspension of disbelief are the squids. I'm sure it'll be explained, but it just seems goofy now.    … Expand
  42. TainaraCursi
    Oct 21, 2019
    10
    Grande episodio piloto, e novamente a HBO mostra por que é a maior produtora de séries de qualidade de todo o mundo
  43. Greyking
    Oct 21, 2019
    10
    I'm curious as to how this show will connect back to the main comicbook. But so far so good. It'a sar better companion piece than the Doomsday Clock sequel.
  44. metacritiqueur
    Sep 2, 2020
    0
    Watchmen, Lovecraft Country ... HBO acquires materials that are too white for his taste, then blackens them. By emphasizing that the white man is evil in 2020.
  45. runborisrun1
    Oct 21, 2019
    10
    Another brilliant and thought provoking series from the creator of Leftovers!
  46. Gts08
    Nov 7, 2022
    8
    Not gonna be everyone's series, but for me, it is a masterclass of bending imagination, blending style with substance perfectly, ambitiously creating a world, telling a non-linear story from many perspectives, spiced up with loads of creativity and a first-class music & editing taste. Watchmen will remain Lindelof's unique work for the ages, which, while being a fabulous adaptation of theNot gonna be everyone's series, but for me, it is a masterclass of bending imagination, blending style with substance perfectly, ambitiously creating a world, telling a non-linear story from many perspectives, spiced up with loads of creativity and a first-class music & editing taste. Watchmen will remain Lindelof's unique work for the ages, which, while being a fabulous adaptation of the even better graphic novel (written by Alan Moore, illustrated by Dave Gibbons) and an Orwellian sci-fi mystery, succeeds as one of the top-notch cinematic performances from the 2010s. 85%… 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 »