The Act

:

Season 1
  • Network: HULU
  • Series Premiere Date: Mar 20, 2019
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
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Critic Reviews

  1. The Guardian
    Reviewed by: Adrian Horton
    Dec 3, 2019
    60
    Arquette gives a human center to Dee Dee’s manipulations – a frantic and unnecessary EpiPen injection for a non-existent sugar allergy becomes, for example, both an act and a desperate act of love. Gypsy’s teary-eyed disappointment and shame are visceral. But still, the show makes clear that while it’s based on actual events, some of it is dramatized, and that knowledge feels suspect.
  2. Rolling Stone
    Reviewed by: Alan Sepinwall
    Mar 20, 2019
    60
    There are twists and turns to the central relationship and the reason it comes to a violent end, but the story starts to feel repetitive quickly, and the lead performances (and nimble direction by Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre, Adam Arkin and others) can only mask that for so long.
  3. Collider
    Reviewed by: Allison Keene
    Mar 18, 2019
    60
    As engrossing as this story is, the Hulu series — which comes from Michelle Dean and Nick Antosca — starts to lag as it goes on.

Awards & Rankings

69
#69 Best TV Season of 2019
21
#21 Most Shared TV Season of 2019

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 28 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 28
  3. Negative: 3 out of 28
  1. OlivierPiel
    Apr 4, 2019
    4
    Another example of a series that drags its feet (well in that case, wheelchair) and tries the patience of the viewer by revealing the end ofAnother example of a series that drags its feet (well in that case, wheelchair) and tries the patience of the viewer by revealing the end of the story (Death of the mom) right in the first episode and asking us to focus on the psychological development of the characters and, thereby, gain insights into the sado-masochistic mother/daughter relationship.
    However, after about two episodes, this development stalls more or less. Then it follows the well-trodden path of the hundreds of similar average psycho-thrillers that have been the staple of middle-aged beach goers' literature and cinema over the last 60 years.
    This show just helps kill time, just not very efficiently....
    Plus point for the cinematography and the young actress though.    … Full Review »
  2. UncleWillard
    Mar 27, 2019
    7
    I've been pleasantly surprised by this thus far. I watched the documentary, and was intrigued (but, hey, I love True Crime stuff). i don'tI've been pleasantly surprised by this thus far. I watched the documentary, and was intrigued (but, hey, I love True Crime stuff). i don't usually go for the reenactments, but this has a great cast and fills in a lot of the gaps the documentary just couldn't. Patricia Arquette is really knocking it out of the park this past year. She was phenomenal in Escape at Dannemora, and she doesn't let up here. Chloe Savigny is always a pleasure (but I'd be lying if I said there wasn't a bit of prurient interest on my part. Don't get me wrong, she's amazingly talented, but I have a thing for her so I can't be trusted). The real surprise is Joey King. She does a great job as Gypsy. I had only seen her in passing in YA fare, but she's certainly holding her own in this Hulu original.… Full Review »
  3. frankrog29
    May 2, 2019
    7
    The Act Season 1 is very well done. The acting, writing, direction, and cinematography are superb. The action of the show ranges from creepyThe Act Season 1 is very well done. The acting, writing, direction, and cinematography are superb. The action of the show ranges from creepy to downright horrifying, with the actors' realistic portrayal of the characters making you even more uncomfortable. The show really drives home that reality is often far more terrifying than any slasher horror film. Patricia Arquette really makes you hate her character, and Joey King does a good job of conveying the complex nature of her character, for whom you feel sorry but with whom you become quite annoyed and frustrated. Ms. King is a very talented and promising newcomer. The only thing this show does not have going for it is that it's always going to live in the shadow of American Crime Story; as one of the best shows on TV (in my opinion), ACS is a very tough act to follow.… Full Review »
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