News & Interviews for Alex Rider: Season 1

Critic Reviews for Alex Rider Season 1

All Critics (26) | Top Critics (7) | Fresh (22) | Rotten (4)

There's a compelling tension between the series' broader story and that of its protagonist: Alex Rider explores the perceived threat of outsiders, while Alex Rider struggles to feel at home anywhere.

Nov 13, 2020 | Rating: B- | Full Review…

Danette Chavez

AV Club

Top Critic

Alex Rider feels more limited than cheap... It will be interesting to see where Burt and Alex Rider go from here and whether or not the show's success leads to more resources.

Nov 13, 2020 | Full Review…

Dan Fienberg

Hollywood Reporter

Top Critic

Perhaps there are things to relate to in the Alex Rider novels of British writer Anthony Horowitz, but this new series is more front-loaded with that generic blue-tinged blandness that afflicts so much second-string European thriller TV.

Jul 31, 2020 | Full Review…

Brad Newsome

Sydney Morning Herald

Top Critic

What previous adaptations did not understand was that Alex Rider contains multitudes - here, he lives his double life to the fullest.

Nov 13, 2020 | Full Review…

Proma Khosla

Mashable

Pure Bourne Identity, with just a hint of ELITE.

Nov 13, 2020 | Rating: 7.8/10 | Full Review…

Alexis Gunderson

Paste Magazine

Sleeker, edgier, and far more mature than the 2006 movie adaptation without losing any of the charm audiences should reasonably expect.

Nov 13, 2020 | Full Review…

Jon Negroni

The Spool

While those looking for an innovative twist on the traditional spy narrative won't find it here, the show is an entertainingly told espionage tale with winning characters.

Nov 13, 2020 | Full Review…

Cynthia Vinney

CBR

Well-paced and well-acted.

Nov 13, 2020 | Full Review…

Joel Keller

Decider

The plot mechanics are fairly predictable and it takes the show too long to get where it's clearly going.

Nov 13, 2020 | Full Review…

Rob Owen

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Although targeted for a teen and young adult demographic, particularly those who view gaming as their primary entertainment, there is plenty to enjoy for everyone.

Nov 11, 2020 | Full Review…

Neely Swanson

Easy Reader (California)

The darker tone certainly feels like a smart move on paper, but it does mean that the show sometimes forgets to have a bit more fun along the way.

Aug 28, 2020 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

Andrew Gaudion

THN

Can't help but entice the viewer with each new reveal and narrative advancement

Jul 30, 2020 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

Peter Gray

The AU Review

View All Critic Reviews (26)

Audience Reviews for Alex Rider: Season 1

• 1d ago

  Now usually I'm disappointed when it comes to live action adaptations of a book. But this show actually slapped! It's well acted, and every character has a purpose, they have given a lot more life to the side characters than they did in the books. The plot sticks with the book and any additions they have added has only enhanced the story. The soundtrack is fire as well. They have done an excellent job making the Alex Rider series come to life. I was hooked from episode 1. I do hope they renew for a few more seasons !
  

  Xynone C
• 2d ago

  Rider's first season proves a solid entry into the espionage game with great performances and action scenes.
  

  Ronny A
• 3d ago

  Fast paced, gripping plot, and imaginative settings. With the young cast, this show feels slightly aimed at teenagers, but this does not detract greatly from overall enjoyment.
  Andre T
• 3d ago

  Brilliant work. So glad Horowitz finally got a good tv series. I've been waiting. The story is obviously genius, but I also love the acting. Very impressed with Otto and Brennock. They play teenage characters really well and not cringy or anything. Plus, Otto does a good job of making the main character actually smart and his facial expressions and stuff always match the scene. Great acting.
  Atlas W
• Aug 08, 2020

  All in all a great show with outstanding photography and a catchy dark thiller atmosphere.
  Alex R
• Aug 06, 2020

  Great show!!! As faithful to the book as you can whilst keeping it realistic. Really great adaptaion.
  John H
• Aug 06, 2020

  I loved the book, I think the TV series lost a lot by not following the book faithfully. The book was fast and fun, the TV series was slow and ordinary. The dark scenes a lot of the way through were annoying and the noisy music didn't fit. The end scenes were disjointed and awkward. I missed the James Bond stunts ... getting out of the soon-to-be crushed car ... what made the books was the young James Bond character and situations .... it was lost in the screen story. I don't know how "Alex Rider" can recover in the next series to go back to being a racy young James Bond from being portrayed as just a clever schoolboy in the first series...I don't think he can. Should have stuck to the book story which is what made Alex Rider famous even if it meant spending a bit more on the screen portrayal.
  Ani G
• Jul 14, 2020

  This season is so good! Any fan of the Alex Rider books will enjoy this show. It is the Alex everyone loves, just a little bit older. The show has an amazing cast and is directed beautifully. The cinematography is top-notch and the show has really good pacing. Kudos to Otto Farrant as Alex Rider and Brenock O'Connor as Tom. They have a great screen friendship and powerfully bring their characters to life. This is a show to see!
  Jeff R
• Jul 11, 2020

  I feel like this is more disappointing than people think the Stormbreaker movie was, a very dull teen bond film. I stopped watching half way through episode 2 it was so dull and asked to watch the superior Stormbreaker, which is on the same streaming service. It messes with the timeline of the events of the books and they invented a new character out of thin air. The producers read the first 2 once and said, "To many white people" and changed the race of characters. Doing this is progressive but I don't know many ginger black people (Jack Starbright).
  Simon E
• Jul 07, 2020

  Hooked from the begging, it is so good! The actors are perfect for their roles. Also well done to the guy who recruited the actors to be the school children, because they actually look 15, whereas most movies/programmes have 25 year olds as teens in schoola (17 again, the kissing booth, to all the boys i've loved before) - IT SO SO AMAZING!
  John D

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