This Sci-Fi Gem From 'Westworld' Creators Had Great Potential, but Was Unfairly Axed After Season 1

In the world of big-budget science fiction, not every project finds its audience – some series are forgotten too soon after being canceled prematurely.

This is precisely what happened to The Peripheral, a smart and visually impeccable series from Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy that was canceled after just one season, never fully realizing its potential.

What Is 'The Peripheral' About?

The action unfolds across two timelines. In 2032, Flynne lives in a modest town, caring for her ailing mother while working at a 3D printing company. Her brother, a former soldier, receives a state-of-the-art virtual reality headset to test out.

Flynn, an experienced gamer, decides to try it out. She finds herself not in a game but in the real London of 2100. Unwittingly, she commits an act that draws her family from the past into a deadly conflict.

Although these forces cannot travel through time, they can transmit information – and this is enough to wipe her family off the face of the earth.

'The Peripheral' Is Based on the Work of an Acclaimed Sci-Fi Author

The series is based on the novel of the same name by William Gibson, a living legend and one of the founders of the cyberpunk genre. Rather than a simple adaptation, The Peripheral is a bold and intelligent reimagining of Gibson's ideas.

Like Westworld, which was also developed by Nolan and Joy, it emphasizes complex socio-philosophical dialogue, futurology, and intricate intrigue rather than action.

'The Peripheral' Is One of the Best Projects in Chloë Grace Moretz's Career

For Chloë Grace Moretz, this role marked a triumphant return to serious work after a series of commercially successful yet critically panned projects.

Her character, Flynne, isn't superhuman – she's an ordinary girl forced by circumstances to feign strength. She's afraid and doubtful, yet her determination to save her family compels her to stand firm and resist the authorities of the future.

Moretz brilliantly conveys this vulnerability and steely resolve, delivering one of the most memorable and humane performances of her career.

'The Peripheral' Is an Intricate & Strikingly Beautiful Sci-Fi Series

Visually, The Peripheral is one of the most beautiful and stylish sci-fi projects in recent years. The setting, London in 2100, is a brilliant combination of the megalomania of Blade Runner 2049 and the cozy, shabby streets of the old city.

The frame is rich in detail, from patrol robots to air filters. Meanwhile, the world of 2032, with its looming crisis and poverty, is no less nuanced.

The Peripheral poses dozens of intriguing questions, introduces vibrant characters, and lays the foundation for a grand, multilayered story. It was a rare gem that never had the chance to become really great.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'The Peripheral'?

• The Peripheral has 79% from critics and 85% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the series has a score of 7.5/10.

Where to Watch 'The Peripheral'?

The Peripheral is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.