The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance: Season 1

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Universal acclaim based on 20 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 122 Ratings

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8.6

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8.6	Your Score
8.6	User Score Universal acclaim based on 122 Ratings

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The Dark Crystal: Age Of Resistance

Now Playing: The Dark Crystal: Age Of Resistance

Season Details & Credits

Netflix | Season Premiere Date: August 30, 2019

Summary: The prequel to the 1982 movie The Dark Crystal follows Gelflings Rian (voiced by Taron Egerton), Brea (voiced by Anya Taylor-Joy) and Deet (voiced by Nathalie Emmanuel) as they set out to to save the world after learning the secret to the Skeksis' power.

Genre(s): Drama, Action & Adventure, Fantasy, Science Fiction

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Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E10. A Single Piece Was Lost
Air Date: August 30, 2019
tbd
S1:E9. The Crystal Calls
Air Date: August 30, 2019
tbd
S1:E8. Prophets Don't Know Everything
Air Date: August 30, 2019

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Metascore

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Mixed:

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Critic Reviews

100

Collider Dave Trumbore

Aug 26, 2019

Enjoy The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance for what it is, a masterpiece of expertly crafted puppet-driven fantasy, and do it while you can. It’s not just a new Netflix series, it’s an event, and you don’t want to be left out. Read full review

100

Matt Zoller Seitz

Aug 28, 2019

I am here to tell you that there is no way this show won’t satisfy you. ... Age of Resistance is like an immense, ten-hour magic show, engrossing down to the very last wondrous detail. This is an altogether staggering artistic achievement, and a joyful continuation of the Henson tradition. Read full review

100

The Daily Beast Nick Schager

Sep 3, 2019

The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance isn’t just a masterwork of practical puppeteering, production design, and CGI artistry. .... This return to the planet Thra exceeds any and all nostalgia-tinged expectations, delivering a multi-strand quest that’s exciting, funny, charming, and mythic—and sure to satisfy newbies and die-hards alike. ... It’s the rare prequel (or sequel, for that matter) that not only justifies its own existence but proves to be an immediate genre classic in its own right. Read full review

Erik Adams

Aug 29, 2019

It’s dense going, until the outlines of the heroes’ journey snaps into focus. ... Age Of Resistance is the best type of YA fantasy fiction, engrossing and escapist and full of hidden depths, ideal for viewers weaned on Harry Potter and The Legend Of Zelda but not quite ready for George R.R. Martin. Read full review

Dan Fienberg

Aug 27, 2019

When it comes to story and character, it's in all ways a smarter, funnier and more narratively thrilling enterprise. Whether you're watching for fulfilled nostalgia or current pleasure, this is a whimsical, fun and entertaining series. Read full review

Keith Phipps

Aug 27, 2019

Age of Resistance is, in many respects, an extraordinary accomplishment. Which isn't to say it doesn't run into some problems along the way. ... The series shares its most frustrating problems with many other streaming-age shows that try to spin one long narrative over many installments. Read full review

Brian Lowry

Aug 29, 2019

Much of the series is beautiful to look at conceptually, but there's no getting around the sameness of the character design (Gelflings tend to look alike), the lack of expression in those big, soulless American-doll-style eyes, and the lifeless storytelling, which certainly isn't helped by the generic characters and some of the irritating Jar Jar Binks-type dialogue. Read full review

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User Score

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8.6

User Reviews

ArminW

Sep 2, 2019

I watched the original movie in '82 when I was 13 years old, and was a fan ever since.
Was sceptical about a prequel TV series until I read that Jim Henson's Daughter is actually producing and Brian Froud is still on board for the world design. So we planned to watch the first few episodesI watched the original movie in '82 when I was 13 years old, and was a fan ever since.
Was sceptical about a prequel TV series until I read that Jim Henson's Daughter is actually producing and Brian Froud is still on board for the world design. So we planned to watch the first few episodes on the weekend and see how they live up to the movie. Some 12 hours and 10 episodes later (with only the most minor breaks), I'm still blown away.
The look of world is simply amazing. The attention to detail, the creativity and sheer love put into every scene is something I haven't seen in a long time. This is an old-fashioned, hand-crafted movie in the best possible sense. And the way the story and world-building weave themselves slowly into the lore of the 37-year old film is absolutely perfect.
Unlike in many other Netflix shows, none of the 10 Episodes ever feels superfluous, or too long, or like uninspired filler material - you simple never get enough from the world and peoples of Thra.
The voice cast is absolutely stellar - no matter where you live (Germany here, the dubbing is OK but simply can't hold water to Sigourney Weaver, Mark Hamill, Jason Isaacs, Simon Peg, Natalie Emanuel and all the others!), try watching it in the original English version.
Would give this piece of art an 11 if I could. They simply don't make 'em like this any more... :)… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

okc_rocker

Sep 2, 2019

This show is light, dark, sad, and joyful. But it's absolutely epic and one of the most charming things I've experienced. The effects, music, singing, and voice acting are all amazing! Not once during the season did I feel unnecessary scenes. Everything that happened had a purpose, andThis show is light, dark, sad, and joyful. But it's absolutely epic and one of the most charming things I've experienced. The effects, music, singing, and voice acting are all amazing! Not once during the season did I feel unnecessary scenes. Everything that happened had a purpose, and everything came together so well. I never felt bored, and I lost sleep for it. It was worth it! Hup is my hero.… Expand

8 of 14 users found this helpful86

ShaunDavidKing

Sep 12, 2019

Brings back the magic of Jim Henson. Visually stunning; artistic style very much like the original Dark Crystal but even better. Excellent voice acting. Highly recommend.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

Judec

Sep 5, 2019

It is amazing! It's beautiful, it's smart, it's intense and sensitive. They managed to put together an interesting plot with a sweeping production.

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

aqaraza

Sep 1, 2019

This series has fulfilled and gone beyond my wildest hopes for the story, both incorporating and evolving themes that have been there since The Dark Crystal in its original form. Interviews reveal that 95% of what you see on screen is flesh-and-blood classic puppetry. CG was used only forThis series has fulfilled and gone beyond my wildest hopes for the story, both incorporating and evolving themes that have been there since The Dark Crystal in its original form. Interviews reveal that 95% of what you see on screen is flesh-and-blood classic puppetry. CG was used only for backgrounds and stray items. If you're seeing uncanny visuals, check your TV's Motion Smoothing and turn it almost all down. This needs to be savored like film.

On a technical as well as a story level, it takes an immense amount of bravery and focus to achieve what they have achieved with this series. Every review you are likely to find out there says as much, aside from the mysterious, wordless two that at present count are weighing down this incredible work of imagination.

If you live in the actual real world, and are receptive and aware of what besets it and challenges us as our climate dissolves and our communities implode, then you will find a deep and lifelong love in this story and its characters. Highest recommendation from a lifelong fan of The Dark Crystal.… Expand

3 of 8 users found this helpful35

Poochingus

Nov 20, 2019

I never watched the original dark crystal movie. I didn't even know it existed as I'm not a big movie buff.

But when I stumbled on this I was curious, usually netflix exclusives are terrible trash meant to be used as tax write off(I mean what other excuse is there?) But this shockedI never watched the original dark crystal movie. I didn't even know it existed as I'm not a big movie buff.

But when I stumbled on this I was curious, usually netflix exclusives are terrible trash meant to be used as tax write off(I mean what other excuse is there?)

But this shocked me. I wasn't sure how to feel at first. Puppets to tell a serious fantasy story was rather shocking. It took me time to get used to it, but I was actually rather impressed with how articulate they were. The sets were all gorgeous and the props too. It seemed like a lot of effort was put into the show overall. Being as keen eyed as I was, I could easily tell what was CGI, and what wasn't. However I can say that for the most part it was used tastefully to not ruin things and clash. It was used as a tool and not a crutch for the most part. Especially of note was the CGI tongues on the Skexis puppets. It actually took me a while to realize it, only because I was like "wait, a puppet shouldn't have a tongue that does that!". It was that subtle.

But the real tell of a good story is the story itself, or else no amount of pretty effects and sets will make up. I can say that the voice cast was nearly flawless. The amount of emotion many of the actors output was great, and it always struck the right emotion. The....er puppet acting, was also very well done. I can only imagine how hard that must have been, but it was all splendid and connected with the voices and didn't betray the scenes.

The writing was also wonderful. It felt like a true old fashioned fantasy of the type that I wish we had more of. Magic that can just be magic. Magic that is from the earth itself(or should I say thra itself). Whimsical lifeforms too. It all just works, and doesn't try to overly explain itself to the point that it becomes Science fiction.

I loved the story, the stakes were high, and the heroes seemed really like their backs were against the wall. The many loses were not in vain, not ever, but they always made you feel like there was still hope. In the end, I wanted more. I think that is the sign of a good show. I don't know if they intend to film more, but it seemed to stop at a good point for a season 2. I do hope there is more because of the cliffhanger ending. However I can for sure say that if they do more, I hope it doesn't drag on. I like a show to know when and how to end, and better do it in 1 or 2 seasons than die a slow painful death over 9 seasons. Though I think this show is too much work to make drag on that long.

In the end, I can't believe this exists, the amount of love, effort, talent and frankly money put into this must have been massive. Not for everyone, but for what it is, this show is top notch watching.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

OlivierPiel

Sep 3, 2019

Had to stop 15 min in. The cinematography is nauseating: Maybe puppets and camera action do not work and felt disjunct (in particular when the eyes do not move with the rest of the body). The villains are not so much scary as unbelievably grating in their design and voices. ReallyHad to stop 15 min in. The cinematography is nauseating: Maybe puppets and camera action do not work and felt disjunct (in particular when the eyes do not move with the rest of the body). The villains are not so much scary as unbelievably grating in their design and voices. Really unbearable. Plus, the story background, the world building at the start of the show, doesn't make any sense whatsoever.… Expand

4 of 22 users found this helpful418

SEE ALL 37 REVIEWS

Seasons & Episodes

82

Series Overview
Season 1

82
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: August 30, 2019
- tbd
  S1:E10. A Single Piece Was Lost
  Air Date: August 30, 2019
- tbd
  S1:E9. The Crystal Calls
  Air Date: August 30, 2019
- tbd
  S1:E8. Prophets Don't Know Everything
  Air Date: August 30, 2019
- tbd
  S1:E7. Time to Make...My Move
  Air Date: August 30, 2019
- tbd
  S1:E6. By Gelfling Hand...
  Air Date: August 30, 2019
- tbd
  S1:E5. She Knows All the Secrets
  Air Date: August 30, 2019
- tbd
  S1:E4. The First Thing I Remember Is Fire
  Air Date: August 30, 2019
- tbd
  S1:E3. What Was Sundered and Undone
  Air Date: August 30, 2019
- tbd
  S1:E2. Nothing Is Simple Anymore
  Air Date: August 30, 2019
- tbd
  S1:E1. End. Begin. All the Same.
  Air Date: August 30, 2019