We Own This City

:

Season 1
  • Network: HBO
  • Series Premiere Date: Apr 25, 2022
User Score
5.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 33 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 33
  3. Negative: 11 out of 33
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User Reviews

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  1. MetacriticOnur
    May 31, 2022
    3
    bad
    [ bad ]

    adjective, worse, worst;(Slang) bad·der, bad·dest for 36.
    not good in any manner or degree.
  2. Gasmask
    Jun 19, 2022
    2
    Do not believe any media telling you this is in any way shape or form anything like The Wire besides its geographical location.
  3. UncleWillard
    Apr 26, 2022
    7
    So far so good. Love seeing the Wire alums and wish there were more. I'm not far from Baltimore and remember when this was all over the news. It's got all the hallmarks of the wire as well, if a bit more polished. Can't say I care too much for the political side of it, but I didn't care that much about it in the Wire either. The Civil Rights characters just remind me of the Baltimore SunSo far so good. Love seeing the Wire alums and wish there were more. I'm not far from Baltimore and remember when this was all over the news. It's got all the hallmarks of the wire as well, if a bit more polished. Can't say I care too much for the political side of it, but I didn't care that much about it in the Wire either. The Civil Rights characters just remind me of the Baltimore Sun characters, which I hated in the Wire. For my money, they could trim that part out and concentrate on the investigation of the Gun Squad.… Expand
  4. MarcDoyle
    Apr 26, 2022
    9
    I'm highly encouraged. Love the way that Simon introduces a season. Glad to see many of the actors from his previous shows involved - esp the PC, who was a lieutenant in The Wire.
  5. viachicago22
    May 29, 2022
    9
    It’s the story of the Baltimore PD consent decree. That’s the main character. With just 6 episodes there’s not much room for character development. Still it is immensely watchable and compelling viewing.
  6. JimmyCricket
    May 17, 2022
    3
    As someone who thinks The Wire and The Shield are two of the greatest TV shows of all time, this is garbage. There is literally no story to it. Lazy, boring garbage.
  7. bhamss
    May 6, 2022
    9
    if you are not a snowflake who catches feelings easily when confronted by reality based TV shows written and acted by some of the best in the country you will love this new show from David Simon and crew.
  8. dumpster1845
    Apr 29, 2022
    0
    If you’re into woke BS and love hearing “defund the police” then this is the show for you. It is a preachy, angry, uninteresting piece of propaganda from the brilliant mind that gave us the masterpiece that was The Wire. Skip this one without a second thought.
  9. mikej147
    Jan 5, 2023
    10
    It is one thousand percent based upon a true story. David Simon, creator of the Wire, didn't have to dramatize or stretch facts to keep the attention of the viewer, the truth is jaw-droppingly potent and stranger than fiction. I fact checked nearly every story and they're all backed by news articles written by local journalists at the time those events transpired. The performances andIt is one thousand percent based upon a true story. David Simon, creator of the Wire, didn't have to dramatize or stretch facts to keep the attention of the viewer, the truth is jaw-droppingly potent and stranger than fiction. I fact checked nearly every story and they're all backed by news articles written by local journalists at the time those events transpired. The performances and writing are top notch. Jon Bernthal gives one the best performances I've seen in years. Don't listen to whiny agenda-laden fragiles who probably haven't even watched it. It's compelling, brilliant and informative. I watched it straight through, I couldn't stop, and that almost never happens.… Expand
  10. geewah
    Jun 6, 2022
    8
    While it is hard not to see this limited series as a companion piece to Simon's opus magnum, The Wire, it is still a quality stand alone series. The fractured timeline used in the telling of this true story can get annoying at times, but the strong cast and dramatic interrogation scenes will keep you captivated.
  11. pjaws
    May 22, 2022
    9
    There's absolutely nothing "preachy" about this show. It's a wonderfully acted, ultra-realistic portrayal of a corrupt police force. I really can't get over how good the acting by Jon Bernthal is, and hope he wins some awards for this one. The only reason you might not enjoy We Own This City is if you've been brainwashed to the point where any insinuation that police could be bad offends you.
  12. Professional1
    May 31, 2022
    6
    It certainly is no The Wire although certain elements (the complexity, the narrative, some of the actors) engender a The Wire vibe. Way too much exposition. Treats the audience as unintelligent. The positives: some fantastic performances.

Awards & Rankings

35
#35 Best TV Season of 2022
50
#50 Most Discussed TV Season of 2022

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. i
    Reviewed by: Ed Power
    Jun 8, 2022
    80
    It was a darkly fascinating study of American decline and fall.
    Read full review
  2. Empire
    Reviewed by: John Nugent
    Jun 8, 2022
    80
    More of an epilogue to The Wire than a spiritual sequel, David Simon’s return to Baltimore is another intelligently crafted, angry treatise on America’s fatally flawed institutions.
    Read full review
  3. The Guardian
    Reviewed by: Rebecca Nicholson
    Jun 7, 2022
    80
    We Own This City throws a lot of information out there, from acronyms to procedural terms to shifting timelines, via a web of loosely connected characters. But this horrifying story will more than reward you, once you tune in to its beat.
    Read full review
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