X
- 2023
- TV-MA
- Peacock
- 2023
- TV-MA
- Peacock
Summary John Doe (Anthony Mackie) teams up with a car thief (Stephanie Beatriz) to deliver a mysterious package in a post-apocalyptic world that includes an ice cream truck driving killer clown (Will Arnett) in this comedy-action series based on the Playstation video game of the same name.
- 2023
- TV-MA
- Peacock
- 2023
- TV-MA
- Peacock
Twisted Metal
Season 1 Premiere: Jul 27, 2023
55
7.3
Summary John Doe (Anthony Mackie) teams up with a car thief (Stephanie Beatriz) to deliver a mysterious package in a post-apocalyptic world that includes an ice cream truck driving killer clown (Will Arnett) in this comedy-action series based on the Playstation video game of the same name.
Top Cast
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 22 Critic Reviews
55
50% Positive
11 Reviews
11 Reviews
27% Mixed
6 Reviews
6 Reviews
23% Negative
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 22 Critic Reviews
55
50% Positive
11 Reviews
11 Reviews
27% Mixed
6 Reviews
6 Reviews
23% Negative
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
Twisted Metal the TV show is brought to the screen by the producers of the Deadpool movies starring Ryan Reynolds, and holds true to its pixelated predecessor’s manic qualities. .... Mackie and Beatriz have a matey chemistry and their characters’ cautious friendship gives the series its emotional core.
The show’s plot, especially, is total nonsense, sending Mackie racing across a decent chunk of the country with a ticking clock that never seems to meaningfully tick. There are ideas, images, and jokes worth seeing here, to be sure. But it’s a long trek to get to them.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 150 User Ratings
7.3
72% Positive
108 Ratings
108 Ratings
13% Mixed
19 Ratings
19 Ratings
15% Negative
23 Ratings
23 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 150 User Ratings
7.3
72% Positive
108 Ratings
108 Ratings
13% Mixed
19 Ratings
19 Ratings
15% Negative
23 Ratings
23 Ratings
A great adaptation that is both inventive and original, and faithful to the source material. While some argue it is providing the lacking narrative of the series I would disagree and argue it's simply enhancing what was already there. The games built the Twisted Metal universe and Peacock's Twisted Metal is playing with the universe. Clearly Sweet Tooth was expected to have a big role but this series also focuses on brand new characters such as Quiet & John Doe (who shares that placeholder type name with the driver of Roadkill from Twisted Metal: Black game but is an original character otherwise). Every game of the series gets referenced in some way, even the obscure characters getting recognition with characters like Raven, Pizza Boy, Granny Dread, Preacher, Petunia, Pit Viper, Flower Power & Bloody Mary making memorable appearances. The driver of Twister is present too but based more off the more lesser known version from TM Head-On. Mr. Slam is re-imagined completely and there for a big laugh. Agent Stone has elements of Outlaw from TM: Black but is portrayed as the villain of the series rather than the heroic Agent Stone characters of the game series; on the show he is a twisted man of the law who inspires fear on the roads, and he makes for a great villain. Another major series character that has a large presence is Stu, from Twisted Metal 2, and the best friend of the slightly better known Mike (who appeared in 2 games, rather than Stu who appeared in 1). Stu is re-made in a cool way & given many interactions with Sweet Tooth. He is meant to be the most relatable character along with Anthony Mackie's John Doe who is very talkative and easy to get along with (as opposed to Quiet who has trauma-based trust & anger issues). Sweet Tooth is the best portrayed and those already familiar with the character will not find much new, but the 2 actors playing Sweet Tooth do such a good job harmonizing together to bring the character to life. But some of the remade characters were not so great (the Roberts siblings), but there's plenty of colorful personalities in the series that there is no boring moment of the show. The big action parts are mostly at the start and finish of the series but the dramatic bits of the middle are executed nicely so while maybe it could have used more action it still feels very well balanced and keeps a fan wanting to see more in season 2 with what has already been teased (Calypso, Axel, Dollface, & Mr. Grimm himself)
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Quite decent. Both as colorful and as deep as a shimmering oil slick on a sweltering stretch of abandoned blacktop, Twisted Metal lacks the budget and ingenuity to consistently live up to the game’s sense of unrelenting mayhem. But its limitations make room for a solid character-based story to develop around stars Anthony Mackie and Stephanie Beatriz.
It all feels very brash and attention-seeking, like the TV equivalent of a lime-green hatchback doing late-night doughnuts in a supermarket car park. But, if you can tune in to Twisted Metal’s motormouth wavelength of childish exuberance, it is certainly a fun ride.
There might have even been a better version of this show that wasn’t scared to really center Stu as the lead, a normal guy in a sea of abnormal weirdos. In that version, the writers wouldn’t have been so tied to a protagonist like John who thinks he’s charming but is really just bland. And it could have allowed other supporting players from the series to pop in and out. Instead, we’re stuck in a car with John and Quiet, wondering when this road trip is going to end.
It’s shallow enough to feel disingenuous, and the flatness of the characters doesn’t help. A horrific, ’80s-set origin story for Sweet Tooth becomes just another excuse for gratuitous gore.
John and Quiet squabble in painfully contrived fashion, resulting in reheated monologues about trust and vengeance that would play poorly in any context but are particularly galling here, padding the runtime of an otherwise interminably wacky series.
Yet another video game that takes place in a post-apocalyptic world is adapted to the screen. The major cities in the US are protected by giant walls and armed guards, while the rest of the country is wild and dangerous anarchy. Anthony Mackie plays a "milkman," who specializes in braving the continuous attacks to deliver goods between cities. His comic sensibilities serve his well as he wise cracks his way thru the villains…with the help of a souped-up car and lots of weapons. Pretty soon, he's paired up with a sullen woman (Stephanie Beatriz) and their friendship/rivalry forms the movie's core relationship. Her gruff attitude and dry delivery add punch to the duo's chemistry. Since this was created by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, the duo behind Zombieland and the Deadpool films, you can expect plenty of off-hand violence followed by an off-hand quip. Given this pedigree you might hope for something extra, but even with the upbeat action and smart aleck lines, it only occasionally generates mild excitement.
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A not-good-not-bad TV series with great production and a thoughtful-in-details screenplay. It's obviously struggled on trying to flesh out its source material, and it's been successful in putting more depth into all the characters we've played in our childhood. However, the double-edged blade of turning the series' direction into a cartoonishly violent comedy makes it end up with an obviously pro-and-cons outcome ... the stupid comedy works quite well, but in exchange, it totally ruins the depth of dramatic parts (not all episodes but mostly).
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This show could have been amazing, with the right Director or creator behind it. But instead we got a horribly done show that is mostly a bad comedy. I was expecting funny silly jokes but good ones, this right here is some of the worst comedy ever. This show needed a director like the guy who directed Starship Troopers or say Miike. Someone who doesn't give a damn and just gives you a crazy nutty show with the right feel to it. Because what we have here is just a silly mess, bad jokes, bad dialogue, bad acting, bad effects and some of the worst humor ever.
Twisted Metal is one of my favorite game series ever, I was stoked a show was coming out to, but this here is beyond terrible, its bad in every single aspect.
After the wonderful Last Of Us, I thought this one might turn out good to, but nope, its up there wit Halo as the worst shows ever based on videogames. TRASH.
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Production Company:
- Electric Avenue
- Artists First
- Inspire Entertainment
- PlayStation Productions
- Sony Pictures Television
- Universal Television
Initial Release Date: Jul 27, 2023
Number of seasons: 2 Seasons
Rating: TV-MA
Awards
The Game Awards
• 1 Nomination