The Handmaid's Tale : Season 1

  • Network:
  • Series Premiere Date: Apr 26, 2017
The Handmaid's Tale Image
Metascore
92

Universal acclaim - based on 40 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 263 Ratings

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  • Starring: , ,
  • Summary: In the totalitarian society of Gilead, a handmaiden enslaved to produce a child for Commander Waterford (Joseph Fiennes) and his wife Serena Joy (Yvonne Strahovski) named Offred (Elisabeth Moss) seeks the daughter taken from her in this drama series based on Margaret Atwood’s best-selling novel.
  • Genre(s): Drama, Science Fiction

Where To Watch

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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 39 out of 40
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 40
  3. Negative: 0 out of 40
  1. The Oregonian
    Reviewed by: Kristi Turnquist
    Apr 20, 2017
    100
    Painfully timely. It's also absolutely enraging, and completely riveting. ... The Handmaid's Tale isn't just the best original show Hulu has ever done. It's one of the most impressive series of the year.
  2. The Salt Lake Tribune
    Reviewed by: Scott D. Pierce
    Apr 24, 2017
    100
    At least in the first three episodes, which were screened for critics, everything comes together for A Handmaid's Tale--Miller's script, direction by Reed Morano (who's best known as a cinematographer) and the performances. Moss' performance is arresting.
  3. The Detroit News
    Reviewed by: Tom Long
    Apr 28, 2017
    100
    [It] sounds pretty dark, and it is, but the wonder of both Atwood’s novel and the series is that it actually manages to be playful and witty at times.
  4. Newsday
    Reviewed by: Verne Gay
    Apr 25, 2017
    91
    Beautiful, immersive and joyless, Tale can be tough to watch, but “rewarding” trumps “tough.”
  5. RogerEbert.com
    Reviewed by: Brian Tallerico
    Apr 26, 2017
    90
    It is ambitious, rich, complex, beautifully made television. It may take a couple episodes to really show you what it has to offer, but then you won’t be able to turn away.
  6. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Kelly Lawler
    Apr 25, 2017
    88
    The Handmaid’s Tale is something unique, with an adult take on the dystopian genre and a somber and relevant story about the lives and fears of women. The show serves as a wake-up call, and you won’t easily fall back asleep after viewing.
  7. Wall Street Journal
    Reviewed by: John Anderson
    Apr 21, 2017
    60
    The problem with Hulu’s Handmaid is that nothing is dreadful enough. ... Ms. Moss’s Offred comments regularly on her condition with outraged, silent vulgarities, and seems appalled by rituals and outrages that had become routine in the book. ... But the original Offred was almost too terrorized to imagine defiance, much less exercise it. And such calibrated portraiture helped make the novel click.

See all 40 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 37
  3. Negative: 9 out of 37
  1. cmac
    Jul 27, 2017
    10
    This show is one of the most striking shows that I have ever seen.
    No point to comparing to the seminal shows like The Wire, Sopranos, BB    This show is one of the most striking shows that I have ever seen.
    No point to comparing to the seminal shows like The Wire, Sopranos, BB because it is so different.
    The bleakness is abnormally haunting, the acting especially by the leads is terrific and the overall atmosphere is incredibly scary.
    I love it but look forward to the end as I wake up with this show still in my bones.
    Extraordinary.    … Expand
  2. AnnieBitencourt
    Jun 12, 2017
    10
    Está aĂ­ uma sĂ©rie que eu praticamente esnobei acreditando se tratar a respeito de freiras. Fui positivamente surpreendida e a cada episĂłdioEstá aĂ­ uma sĂ©rie que eu praticamente esnobei acreditando se tratar a respeito de freiras. Fui positivamente surpreendida e a cada episĂłdio que passa fico assustada com os acontecimentos da sĂ©rie que nĂŁo estĂŁo tĂŁo distantes assim de acontecer na vida real… Expand
  4. DukeCumberjack
    Apr 26, 2017
    10
    Don't believe the low user ratings. Excellent distopian drama. Leave politics aside while you watch--it has been an incredibly well doneDon't believe the low user ratings. Excellent distopian drama. Leave politics aside while you watch--it has been an incredibly well done series so far after three episodes.… Expand
  5. j1train
    Jun 14, 2017
    8
    It starts out brilliantly, it really does. But the "big moments" go a beat too far much too often in the second half of the season. It's easyIt starts out brilliantly, it really does. But the "big moments" go a beat too far much too often in the second half of the season. It's easy to think that the expansion of the book (which at first seemed welcome) has thrown out all the subtly of the source material. But for the most part, it's captivating, wonderfully acted, and gorgeous to look at.… Expand
  6. truerock
    May 3, 2017
    7
    An interesting story plot will draw a lot of individuals to watch this drama. I found it was worth watching - but, it was held back by a lackAn interesting story plot will draw a lot of individuals to watch this drama. I found it was worth watching - but, it was held back by a lack of an important element of successful video drama. Elisabeth Moss was not an appropriate selection to fill the main character. To compound the problem, the writing did not fit Moss' skill-set as an actress. Curiously, many of the other roles were very well cast. For example, Amanda Brugel does an excellent job portraying her minor role as Rita a housekeeper.

    So, I do recommend viewing this drama - but, I was disappointed that it was not done as well as I had hoped. I have only watched the first episode. Perhaps my opinion will change after I have watched more.    … Expand
  7. infiniti
    Sep 4, 2017
    5
    Great premise, great show, SEVERE miscasting. When watching such a sombre show - where the lead character cries at least thrice per episode -Great premise, great show, SEVERE miscasting. When watching such a sombre show - where the lead character cries at least thrice per episode - you need something compelling to look at.

    Elizabeth Moss just isn't it. She's a good actress but has terrible screen presence, which really takes away from the story.

    Another huge miscast - Max Minghella! Come on! He doesn't fit the part! And the blatant lack of chemistry between Offred and Nick... Who was their casting director?!

    Few key changes would have saved the show. Shame.    … Expand
  8. HezekiahOlorode
    Aug 2, 2017
    0
    This is definitely one of the best shows on tv right now. I was taken aback by the plot and I have got to say, this is one show to watch toThis is definitely one of the best shows on tv right now. I was taken aback by the plot and I have got to say, this is one show to watch to stay "woke."… Expand

See all 37 User Reviews

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