X
- 2023
- TV-MA
- Peacock
- 2023
- TV-MA
- Peacock
Summary Realtor Ava Bartlett (Kaley Cuoco), her ex-tennis star husband (Chris Messina) and a plumber take advantage of people's obsession with true crime in this dark comedy thriller created by Craig Rosenberg.
Created By: Craig Rosenberg
- 2023
- TV-MA
- Peacock
- 2023
- TV-MA
- Peacock
Based on a True Story
Season 1 Premiere: Jun 8, 2023
59
6.0
Summary Realtor Ava Bartlett (Kaley Cuoco), her ex-tennis star husband (Chris Messina) and a plumber take advantage of people's obsession with true crime in this dark comedy thriller created by Craig Rosenberg.
Created By: Craig Rosenberg
Top Cast
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 24 Critic Reviews
59
54% Positive
13 Reviews
13 Reviews
38% Mixed
9 Reviews
9 Reviews
8% Negative
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 24 Critic Reviews
59
54% Positive
13 Reviews
13 Reviews
38% Mixed
9 Reviews
9 Reviews
8% Negative
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
It’s brutal, it’s hilarious, and it’s so well done. In a June stacked with returning series premieres, Based on a True Story is a new show absolutely worth latching onto.
Sharp writing and keen comedic timing by the show’s main players make “Based on a True Story” an amusingly disturbing journey into the world of true-crime fandom and the queasy worship around homicidal maniacs like Dennis Rader, better known as “BTK,” and John Wayne Gacy.
User Score
Mixed or Average
Based on 22 User Ratings
6.0
50% Positive
11 Ratings
11 Ratings
32% Mixed
7 Ratings
7 Ratings
18% Negative
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
User Score
Mixed or Average
Based on 22 User Ratings
6.0
50% Positive
11 Ratings
11 Ratings
32% Mixed
7 Ratings
7 Ratings
18% Negative
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
From the brutal start that felt like it was paying homage to Drew Barrymore's iconic murder scene in 'Scream' to the shocking moments that followed, each episode held my attention. Kaley Cuoco and Chris Messina deliver magnetic performances, making their characters relatable and engaging. Tom Bateman's portrayal of the very scary Matt Pierce brings a chilling authenticity to the role of a serial killer. The Peacock series pokes fun at society's obsession with murder, satirizing our fascination with serial killers and true crime podcasts. After the first episode, I couldn't resist binge-watching the rest. The fast-paced events and gripping plot kept me on the edge of my seat. Each episode flew by in minutes, enhanced by a fun soundtrack that heightened the chaotic atmosphere of the show.
It's a must-watch for fans of dark comedies and true crime podcasts. With its blend of lighthearted drama, and intense moments, it satisfies cravings for captivating storytelling. Cuoco, Messina, and Bateman deliver standout performances, creating characters that were relatable, engaging, and endearing.
Damian At
TalkTeaV
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The premise of Based On A True Story is definitely absurd and by the end of the first episode, we’re not sure where it’s going to go. But Messina and Cuoco’s performances are more than enough to keep our attention while the show figures itself out.
I like the show overall, but it doesn’t hold up to scrutiny. That’s OK — it can exist purely in the realm of upbeat, if sinister, high jinks, so long as we’re not pretending it’s saying something more.
It’s not as brazen as Poker Face, as innovative as Mrs. Davis, or as bizarre as The Resort, but BOATS scratches the itch for an entertaining, if not illogical, TV comedy.
A seemingly daring, dark premise that disguises a mild domestic comedy. It promises slashing satire. It cuts like a butter knife.
The series has proved itself incapable of reading the (living) room into which it has imposed itself, or of actually staying aboard the ethical tightrope it has strung across a murky basin of bad taste.
A married couple (Kaley Cuoco & Chris Messina) decides to jump on the true crime bandwagon by creating their own podcast. Things get interesting when they meet an actual serial killer (Tom Bateman) who decides to team up with them. This combo comedy/thriller mostly works, but like so many series now, it could have been shorter. If you wade thru the wasted scenes in the early eps, there are surprises and shocks to entertain. Cuoco always tries too hard to be funny, so she never works for me, but there are sufficient situations and other characters who add to the humor. The series has its flaws and takes a while to take off, but once it gets rolling the dark comic elements and shocking surprises manage to ultimately payoff. (It ends with a cliffhanger, signaling a 2nd season).
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Details
Production Company:
- Aggregate Films
- Overlook Productions
- Universal Content Productions (UCP)
Initial Release Date: Jun 8, 2023
Number of seasons: 2 Seasons
Rating: TV-MA
Genres:
Awards
California on Location Awards
• 2 Nominations
Venice TV Award
• 1 Nomination