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Hell on Wheels: Season 1
  • Network: AMC
  • Series Premiere Date: Nov 6, 2011
  • Season #: 1 , 2
Hell on Wheels Image
Metascore
63 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 28 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.5 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 68 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
Rate this:
  • Summary: Seeking the killer of his wife, ex-Confederate soldier Cullen Bohannon (Anson Mount) goes west and soon finds himself at Hell on Wheels, the temporary town that followed the construction of the transcontinental railroad as it moved westward.
  • Genre(s): Drama

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 28
  3. Negative: 1 out of 28
  1. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Hank Stuever
    Sep 21, 2011
    91
    Though imbued with epic sweep, Hell on Wheels is a western at heart, even if that heart is cold.
  2. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: Matt Zoller Seitz
    Jan 17, 2012
    60
    Hell on Wheels didn't turn into a great drama, but it settled into a distinctive groove, growing more relaxed and confident by the week.
  3. The Huffington Post (formerly AOL TV)
    Reviewed by: Maureen Ryan
    Nov 4, 2011
    30
    It's good at being tedious.

See all 28 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 24
  3. Negative: 3 out of 24
  1. tchavy99
    9
    A true masterful old fashioned western. Hell on Wheels packs it in with all the bells and whistles found in only the best of it's genre. I couldnt take my eyes off of the screen. Visually unlike any western Ive seen on cable television and a story told paced naturally with brewing temperament, AMC's done it again with this fine tale of payback and payoffs.… Expand
    • 6 of 7 users said yes
  2. Justinavery7074
    5
    Disa **** pointing. not terrible, but it needed to be miles better than this. The direction pretty much sucked. what the **** kind of directing is it? This ain't no goddamn sitcom! And some of the lines were god-awful. The actors looked as if they were cringing. The period detail was phenomenal, but it's crowded with **** and ****… Expand
    • 1 of 3 users said yes
  3. YoMamma
    1
    Simply dreadful. They obviously had a large budget to work with, but despite the scenery, there's stilted dialogue, wooden acting, and the main character, whose only form of expression is his ridiculous-looking "icy stare". It's clear they were trying to cash in on Deadwood, but they missed out on the genius writing, the multifaceted characters, and the rich story. What a shame.… Expand
    • 1 of 7 users said yes

See all 24 User Reviews