'House of Ashur' Had 100% on RT, but Its Current 38% Is More Fair, and Here's Why

After a 12-year hiatus, the return of the Spartacus franchise seemed like a chance to revive its former glory. Early reviews of the spin-off, Spartacus: House of Ashur, showed a perfect 100% score from critics.

However, after the first episodes aired on Starz, critics' and viewers' opinions changed dramatically. This decline is no coincidence – the series lacks the soul of the original and is stuck between hyper-violence and dull drama.

What Is 'Spartacus: House of Ashur' About?

The plot gives one of the original series' most hated characters, Ashur, a second chance. Mystically resurrected from the dead, he is given a new body and his own gladiatorial school.

He uses his skills as a schemer and strategist to stage bloody spectacles in ancient Rome, transforming fights into theatrical performances and challenging the Roman nobility.

However, his ambition and cruelty soon lead to a conspiracy against him in the highest circles of power.

'House of Ashur' Puts One of the Most Repulsive Original Characters at the Center of Its Narrative

In the original saga, Ashur was a classic secondary villain – a treacherous yet one-dimensional traitor. Attempting to make him the central figure of an epic drama fails – he is impossible to empathize with, and his motivations seem shallow and selfish.

His personal dramas, rooted in his thirst for power and revenge, pale in comparison to Spartacus's tragic, self-sacrificing journey.

Consequently, viewers are deprived of an emotional anchor and guide through the story, reducing the experience to the perfunctory observation of someone else's incomprehensible ambitions.

Impressive Action Can't Save 'House of Ashur' from Awkward Dialogues and Weak Drama

The only aspect of House of Ashur that works are the gladiatorial scenes. The fight choreography, abundance of blood, and inventive killing methods are all executed well, paying homage to the original's aesthetic.

However, these scenes are overshadowed by awkward, wordy dialogue. Attempts to stylize the speeches after the lofty manner of ancient Roman orators are thwarted by the constant use of modern profanity.

The political intrigue plot, which was brilliantly explored in HBO's Rome and Spartacus itself, is presented here as a predictable collection of cliches, lacking any hint of originality or tension.

Even the most spectacular fight sequences can't compensate for the feeling that you're watching a cheap attempt to exploit nostalgia that lacks any understanding of what made the original a cult classic.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Spartacus: House of Ashur'?

• Spartacus: House of Ashur has 91% from critics and 38% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the series has a score of 5.5/10.

Where to Watch 'Spartacus: House of Ashur'?

Spartacus: House of Ashur is available to stream on Starz, which can be added on to Prime Video, Hulu and Apple TV.