6 Controversial Netflix Series That Critics Loved But Viewers Hated
It seems that critics haven't even seen these shows, as the opinions of ordinary viewers are in stark contrast to them.
Movies and shows often get similar reviews from critics and viewers. If a movie is bad, everyone will hate it, if it is good, everyone will praise it, and if the opinions differ, the reviews will also differ.
However, it has become common practice for critics to overrate certain shows while ordinary viewers openly despise them. Netflix is full of such examples, and we have included the most controversial ones in this list.
6. The Witcher ( 2019, 3 seasons)
Arguably the most high-profile, yet controversial series on Netflix. Though the streaming service has been trying to make the adaptation of Andrzej Sapkowski's novels its flagship show for nearly four years, and critics continue to praise each new season, viewers don't share the same sentiment.
Most critics have praised the team for consistently delivering great storytelling and visuals. Only viewers (whose average score on Rotten Tomatoes is a measly 19%) disagree, saying that neither the writing nor the cinematography live up to the source material.
5. The Lying Life of Adults (2023, miniseries)
Italian author Elena Ferrante's novels have already been adapted into HBO's My Brilliant Friend, and it's arguably one of the best coming-of-age dramas ever made. The same can't be said for Netflix's attempt to adapt The Lying Life of Adults. Critics have praised the show, though judging by the reviews, the excitement was more about Ferrante's story than its execution. On the contrary, it was the latter that was criticized by viewers, who were disappointed by the show's poorly adapted dialogue and lack of meaning.
3. D. B. Cooper: Where Are You?! (2022, miniseries)
A documentary series on Netflix is always a hit or miss, but unfortunately, it's often a miss because the filmmakers are sloppy about the subject they're exploring. Such is the case with D. B. Cooper: Where Are You?!, about a mysterious man who hijacked a Boeing 727 in 1971. Of course, critics praised the series, but viewers noticed that it could hardly be called a documentary: it relied not so much on facts as on conspiratorial theories and amateur investigators' reports, which only takes away any credibility from the story.
3. The Midnight Club (2022, 1 season)
When we hear the name Mike Flanagan, we immediately know we're in for a great ride into the world of horror. However, The Midnight Club, despite once again receiving rave reviews from film critics, proved to be a disappointment for fans, as instead of suspense and chilling storytelling, viewers were treated to tedious gimmicks in the form of constant screamers.
2. Age of Samurai: Battle for Japan (2021, miniseries)
The docuseries follows the last decades of the Sengoku period, a turbulent time of political turmoil and civil war leading up to the unification of Japan in the early 17th century. While critics have called the series a great introduction to Japanese history, viewers have pointed out the extent to which Age of Samurai has a romanticizing white gaze that does not delve into the actual historical context of both Japan and Korea, leaving many factual errors.
1. Castlevania: Nocturne (2023, 1 season)
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The next installment of the famous vampire series was eagerly awaited by many, and upon its release critics called it one of the best video game adaptations ever. However, according to fans, the critics probably never played the games, as the series has almost nothing in common with the original. The animated series proved to be empty, the characters were not fully explored, and the pacing left much to be desired.