Like most people, I enjoyed the movie enough to give this show a chance. Season 1 was good enough, with some glaring issues but not TOO many. Season 2 was still watchable, but a clear decline in quality. As for Season 3, it has been painful just to get through each episode, and I'm only still going because I very rarely just stop watching something mid season after I've invested many hours in it already. I truly don't even know where to begin, when explaining why the current season has been so bad. Many reviews have already stated how bad of an actor the guy who plays Layton is, but even the characters who were once interesting and often likeable are barely recognizable anymore. Also, the attempts at artistic shots and dialogue fall flat every single time; it feels like a college student wrote most of the monologs. I'm currently on episode 8 of Season 3 and will, at the very least, finish with this season... but not because it is interesting or captivating. Rather, just out of a general curiosity to see where they're going with the show and to confirm my theory that it can't get any worse (even though episode 7 proved me to be painfully wrong already). You've been warned.
894 Reviews
I don't understand the bad reviews.
DavidPetutschnig2 June 2020
First of all lets make one think clear, this is a show in a sci-fi setting and Sci-fi has always been experimenting with cheesy and illogical concepts. I don't know why people forgot that. Of cource the idea of a endlessly running train isn't realistic nor would the class system of the train work in real life, but thats not the point of the show. You wouldn't say that fighting with laser swords or travelling through time in a car is very realistic, but it is definitely fun to watch. That is why (at least for me) Snowpiercer works. Is it a show that would win awards for groundbraking acting or writing? No, probably not. But the story is definitely thrilling, the set pieces are fascinating and I am extremely invested in the show.
What!? Whyyyyy!!?
aquarianavenger8 March 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The first two seasons were great. They had me intrigued and binging the whole thing, but season 3 has taken a nose dive. I would give the first 2 seasons an 8 or 9, but this season is a 5. I averaged it out to 7
Spoiler Alert:
Connelly's character was clearly the glue holding this whole thing together, and now in the middle of Season 3 I am having to force myself to sit through a whole episode. I am SO let down to watch a good series unravel so soon. Daveed's character is not interesting enough to keep my interest. I've seen other reviews laying blame on his acting, perhaps, but it may be the writing. Or it may be the fault of such a high-concept setting. Maybe there's just nowhere to go with the plot now that the tailies have taken over? Really it seems like the only interesting place to go with the plot is for them to leave the train, but that's a whole other show, and would probably require a much larger budget. Ho-hum. I wish producers would have a better idea of an over-all story before they start a series. I hate the feeling that I'm watching filler episodes. Maybe it's building to something really cool? I think I can sit through the rest of Season 3, but I don't know about anything after that if this doesn't get any better. And PS, all of you people on here complaining about shows being too "woke" are just revealing your own bigotry. It's time to come up with better critiques.
Spoiler Alert:
Connelly's character was clearly the glue holding this whole thing together, and now in the middle of Season 3 I am having to force myself to sit through a whole episode. I am SO let down to watch a good series unravel so soon. Daveed's character is not interesting enough to keep my interest. I've seen other reviews laying blame on his acting, perhaps, but it may be the writing. Or it may be the fault of such a high-concept setting. Maybe there's just nowhere to go with the plot now that the tailies have taken over? Really it seems like the only interesting place to go with the plot is for them to leave the train, but that's a whole other show, and would probably require a much larger budget. Ho-hum. I wish producers would have a better idea of an over-all story before they start a series. I hate the feeling that I'm watching filler episodes. Maybe it's building to something really cool? I think I can sit through the rest of Season 3, but I don't know about anything after that if this doesn't get any better. And PS, all of you people on here complaining about shows being too "woke" are just revealing your own bigotry. It's time to come up with better critiques.
Not a Bad Show - dystopian intrigue that leaves you thinking
chrisstineb9 June 2020
Don't be misled by the reviews. This show is interesting and leaves you wanting to know more about the setting. Is it an award winner - no. Is it entertaining and suspenseful - yes. Does the intrigue make you want to keep watching - absolutely.
I read the user reviews before watching but decided to give it a shot regardless of the low ratings because I was I intrigued by the concept. I haven't watched the movie nor have I read the source material. I've now watched 4 episodes and I'm hooked. To enjoy this show you first need to accept that the premise is unrealistic. What it does accomplish is a very interesting analogy of classism. Many people seem to dislike the police procedural plot. I enjoyed it and I think it succeeds as being a plot device to give the audience a tour of the train from the perspective of someone in the lowest class, while showing the massive injustices between the haves and the have nots.
Give Snowpiercer a chance if you enjoy dystopian genres and you aren't too picky about technical realism but want something that will make you think about the ugliness of wealth privilege.
Some trainwrecks on board of this train
SeriousMayhem21 November 2021
Season 1 review. Will update if needed after season 2.
Not too bad of a show, but has some issues that really drag it down.
Acting is a very mixed bag. Jennifer Connelly does a good job as Melanie Cavill and I also enjoyed some of the supporting roles like Ruth and Miss Audrey, even though most of those supporting roles don't add a whole lot of meat to the story and often feel like underdeveloped, missed opportunities.
While not always or necessarily a bad thing, a lot of characters are one-dimensional caricatures, perhaps more fitting for a cartoon. This works well for some, like Ruth, but not too great for most, like LJ.
There's way too much overacting in general, where the performances of the actresses playing Josie and Bess stand out as pretty bad on average in that regard.
The biggest issue with the acting though, is the lead actor, Daveed Diggs. The guy can't act and he has no presence. His eyes are always empty and he is apparently only able to produce one facial expression. His monotonous voice and inflection also don't match the character. I always see the actor trying to play a character, never the character itself. It really breaks immersion. Massive miscast here and easily the weakest link of the show.
Immersion is broken even more by the fact that his character is all over the place and isn't believable at all in most of the contexts he finds himself in. This isn't a revolutionary leader, but a street corner criminal at best.
He's not even likeable, being that self-righteous smart ass know-it-all (while still failing to accomplish anything), with his unfitting nonchalant demeanor and hilariously large wig.
CGI is mostly well done. Music is good, and I do like the overall atmosphere it tries to create.
The general story is interesting enough to keep me wanting to know what's going to happen next. The first three or so episodes don't make a whole lot of sense in hindsight and I feel the story is a bit too shallow in most of what it tries to accomplish.
This could have been an easy 8 or 9 if the casting and acting would have been better, possibly also while burning through the story a bit slower and not focussing on the rather unoriginal and obvious stuff.
I can't really give this more than barely a 6/10 in it's current form, even though I enjoyed some parts more than that rating would suggest. Will update the score after season 2, if needed.
Not too bad of a show, but has some issues that really drag it down.
Acting is a very mixed bag. Jennifer Connelly does a good job as Melanie Cavill and I also enjoyed some of the supporting roles like Ruth and Miss Audrey, even though most of those supporting roles don't add a whole lot of meat to the story and often feel like underdeveloped, missed opportunities.
While not always or necessarily a bad thing, a lot of characters are one-dimensional caricatures, perhaps more fitting for a cartoon. This works well for some, like Ruth, but not too great for most, like LJ.
There's way too much overacting in general, where the performances of the actresses playing Josie and Bess stand out as pretty bad on average in that regard.
The biggest issue with the acting though, is the lead actor, Daveed Diggs. The guy can't act and he has no presence. His eyes are always empty and he is apparently only able to produce one facial expression. His monotonous voice and inflection also don't match the character. I always see the actor trying to play a character, never the character itself. It really breaks immersion. Massive miscast here and easily the weakest link of the show.
Immersion is broken even more by the fact that his character is all over the place and isn't believable at all in most of the contexts he finds himself in. This isn't a revolutionary leader, but a street corner criminal at best.
He's not even likeable, being that self-righteous smart ass know-it-all (while still failing to accomplish anything), with his unfitting nonchalant demeanor and hilariously large wig.
CGI is mostly well done. Music is good, and I do like the overall atmosphere it tries to create.
The general story is interesting enough to keep me wanting to know what's going to happen next. The first three or so episodes don't make a whole lot of sense in hindsight and I feel the story is a bit too shallow in most of what it tries to accomplish.
This could have been an easy 8 or 9 if the casting and acting would have been better, possibly also while burning through the story a bit slower and not focussing on the rather unoriginal and obvious stuff.
I can't really give this more than barely a 6/10 in it's current form, even though I enjoyed some parts more than that rating would suggest. Will update the score after season 2, if needed.
Jennifer Connelly is one hell of an actress!
alisauskasarnas13 July 2020
Jennifer Lynn Connelly's acting is phenomenal. I'm literally watching "Snowpiercer" just to see her. She's divine. In my opinion, the plot is just great. All and all, I thoroughly enjoyed the "Snowpiercer" and I can't wait for season two.
Intresting
TruthSeeker828 June 2020
People are weird. Sometime really ridiculous TV series and movies gets very good reviews and sometime decent series gets bad. This TV series is the example of later. It's not an Emmy winning series but nevertheless quite interesting to watch. The actors are doing good job and the plot has some life to it. I am not sure, how come some science fiction movies and TV series, like Star Wars, gets high ratings, despite being quite away from reality but some get judged based on scientific laws.
Worst leading actor ever
fbrustolini22 February 2021
The show has so much potential, but the leading actor is just not as good as the show deserved. He's a rapper that hadn't play anything like this before. He's got the same face under any circumstances, proving he's still an apprentice and should give some steps backwards and start from the bottom. It's such a pity!
Wilford actor and Melanie actress simply overtake the show in order to save it.
Wilford actor and Melanie actress simply overtake the show in order to save it.
Is the magic lost?
treydrier26 March 2022
Unlike the 1st two seasons I'm trying my best to get through season 3 but boy is it a monotonous confusing mess. Loved the 1st two seasons and was excited to watch season 3, only to be let down right away in episode 1. I will try and grind through season 3 but it won't be easy.
Don't Take It Literally ... Enjoy the Ride. bad casting on Daveed.
chrisproudfoot-5902618 May 2020
For those stating that the premise of a train wrapping around the globe that has to keep running is too unrealistic - that is correct. Though it's a great metaphor for how our class based elitist society is part of a never ending circle that, given the right circumstances , could entirely collapse at any moment.
So no, train like this isn't possible. But that's not the point. Watch the story unfold and if need be pay attention to everything else and let the train part fall to the background. Either way, it's an interesting story and the acting is well done. The scenery is amazingly well thought out , and for a pilot episode they did decent job knocking it out of the park.
I wasn't the biggest fan of the film- but I'm quite interested to see how they do with this. So far, so good.
WARNING - you do need an imagination to watch this show. So if you take everything too literally you won't enjoy it.
The only unbearable part of this show is daveed Diggs- he doesn't sell the part very well at all. The show would be much better without him as a centrepiece: it's a shame they couldn't find Idris or someone a bit more captivating in their acting - Diggs is lacklustre at best and he's outshined by every other character , even the background ones.
So no, train like this isn't possible. But that's not the point. Watch the story unfold and if need be pay attention to everything else and let the train part fall to the background. Either way, it's an interesting story and the acting is well done. The scenery is amazingly well thought out , and for a pilot episode they did decent job knocking it out of the park.
I wasn't the biggest fan of the film- but I'm quite interested to see how they do with this. So far, so good.
WARNING - you do need an imagination to watch this show. So if you take everything too literally you won't enjoy it.
The only unbearable part of this show is daveed Diggs- he doesn't sell the part very well at all. The show would be much better without him as a centrepiece: it's a shame they couldn't find Idris or someone a bit more captivating in their acting - Diggs is lacklustre at best and he's outshined by every other character , even the background ones.
Horrible cast
erickgal11 July 2020
The story could be better, characters suddenly change their mood, and the main character acts without thinking, but that's not the biggest problem. The biggest problem is the cast, especially Daveed Diaas, he overreacts in every scene, and that makes impossible to understand his character. On the other hand, Jennifer Connelly acts sensationally, her performance is just so good, and just because of that I continued watching the series.
Stop Season 3 and write it again!
erkinkula19 February 2022
Stop Season 3 and write it again! Script doesn't make sense at all now. Unnecessary and unlogical events to pass time. Layton's acting is getting worse and worse in every season. Jennifer Connelly was wonderful in both seasons and her leave is quickly forgotten in season 3.
Rescued by Mr Wilford
dnacowboys18 February 2021
Warning: Spoilers
The first season had its ups and downs but for the most part it was pretty lacklustre and to be frank, I'm not a fan of the shows lead. However, there was a palpable excitement coming over me during the final episode of season 1's finale when the engineers picked up Big Alice's signal. From the moment Sean Bean appeared on screen everything changed about snowpiercer. Sometimes it can take just one Actor to take a show by the scruff of the neck and drag it screaming and struggling up the ratings and it looks like the actor is Sean Bean.
Good enough
jecskene20 February 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I know that people complain about Daveed's acting. I think people need to be aware that an actor should reflect the target audience. As a rule, the new generation is more cerebral than any that have come before. This takes on the appearance of being less animate and more tolerance for grey zone morality. We all remember Captain Kirk not lacking for an opinion on anything. That's not the new way of thinking. There are certainly enough decent actors that pull this show through; Sean Bean plays an excellent Wilford; we can witness both the menace, the desperate need for control and also the vulnerability. Jennifer Connelly's character is also highly engaging. Hers, imho, is the focal point of the whole series. Though seemingly morally grey, she is actually completely and selflessly dedicated to the survival of the human race. I also felt that Annalise Basso did an amazing job as a spoiled and demented rich kid but also with a character arc as well. Steven Ogg also does an amazing job as being, quite literally, the wild card; you never know what he is going to be up to.
There are good actors in this show. Maybe not everyone but with this many people? You're not going to get a star studded cast on budget. Just enjoy the good acting when you see it and give the rest a pass.
There are good actors in this show. Maybe not everyone but with this many people? You're not going to get a star studded cast on budget. Just enjoy the good acting when you see it and give the rest a pass.
After a great movie a great series! Luckily I didn't listen to the negative reviews.
deloudelouvain13 November 2020
I can't believe I almost passed on this brilliant show. I loved the movie when it came out in 2013. To me it was for sure one of the better movies from that year, and I watch tons of movies. Bong Joon Ho did a great job with Snowpiercer. So when I read all those very negative reviews about this new series, that it was unbelievably dissapointing, so bad etc... I almost decided not to waste my time with it, but then again I remembered how many times I watched great movies that were badly rated on IMDb that I decided to give it a shot. I'm so happy I did that, as this series is a fresh breath of air, completely what I hoped for after that brilliant movie. Not only is it extremely well made but the story is well thought of, keeps you wondering in suspense what will happen next. It's one of those series I can't help but binge watch. Brilliant acting from a large part of the cast, especially Jennifer Connelly. The first season flew by, it's now waiting impatiently for the next season in the hope it's of the same quality as this brilliant first season. I'm not going to write everything is perfect, like some of the rooms look too big to be in a train, but it's for sure entertaining if you can look beside futile things like that. In short, don't pay any attention to the negative reviews if you loved the movie from Bong Joon Ho. You won't be disappointed!
Definitely intrigued
hayleyscomett19 May 2020
It's not bad. I gave a 7 with the potential for higher numbers as this progresses. Not sure why others gave such harsh reviews and low numbers. Geeesh give a new show a chance! I never saw the movie, so I have no comparison to offer. For a first episode I'm intrigued enough to want to see more. Isn't that what most want from a pilot episode? Plenty of characters and potential for expanding storylines. The hour went by very quickly and previewed the upcoming season at the end of the episode. If you liked the Hunger Games this seems to be a similar vibe, although more gritty.
Good show but the acting of the main lead (detective) was horrible!
shurheed03028 January 2021
Enjoyed the show first to last, only except from the acting of the main lead Andre Layton, his acting was so pathetic that he singly handed spoiled the charm of the whole show, even the child actors acted better than him. I give it a 8.
Weak lead
bc_global187 July 2020
The show has potential and seems to be at least similar in concept to the movie, but the male lead actor is just not good. Most of the time he has the same demeanor and expressions without any real emotion. Others are better especially Jennifer Connelly but I keep rooting for them to kill off the main guy. I don't think it's going to happen.
A fun ride if you're into detective stories
alexgurasich3 June 2020
I understand the hate this show is getting because so many hold the Bong Joon Ho film and its predecessing graphic novel in very high regard, myself included. While this show may not handle the class-related subject matter as eloquently as its counterparts, I think its a very engaging show for anyone who enjoys the setting and wants to see more stories told through the lense of The Snowpiercer train. Give it a shot, because I truly enjoy learning more lore about the Snowpiercer train which seems believable. I could definitely see this show expanding more upon the lore that was already built up, and I'm willing to go along on the ride.
Daveed D should end his career
sorescu-989652 February 2021
I wouldn't hire The lead actor (Daveed) only if it would be to jump of the train in first 10sec of the movie.
Where did they finde such a bad leading actor? I think someone wanted on purpose to ruin the show and they hiered him as a result.
He ruins all the scenes he's in.
Top: Spike, Hospitality, Wilford
Train derailed
EdD13219 February 2022
Started strong, season 3 is unwatchable.
People who give this A +, probably wear their masks in the shower.
Acting is very poor.
Daveed is not a great actor and seems like he's about to break into spoken word poetry in front a mural.
Lots of "tough" female leads.
People who give this A +, probably wear their masks in the shower.
Acting is very poor.
Daveed is not a great actor and seems like he's about to break into spoken word poetry in front a mural.
Lots of "tough" female leads.
Just finished watching 1st episode of season 4
patyttafg20 July 2024
I find my opinion similar to most of the reviews out there. The first two seasons were definitely better than the third. Honestly, I don't enjoy the way they focus on three characters in one episode and then switch to another three in the next. Sometimes, you don't see a main character for weeks. I think this format is one reason why season 3 feels so slow and boring.
Most of the characters lack depth, which I attribute to the writing rather than the acting. Melanie is the only character I find worth watching, and Jennifer Connelly delivers a great performance, as always. I aslo think season 3 suffered a lot because she was hardly present.
I've just started season 4, which we've waited ages for, and it looks like they're sticking with the same format, showing different sides of the story in each episode instead of giving us the full picture. It's too early to tell if there will be any improvement in the character dynamics. I hope they don't continue the pattern of alternating episodes between different settings, one outside the train, the next on the train, and so on. This would be very dull. I also hope they bring everyone together again to face the main conflict, or whatever they have planned for this season. And of course, I'm hoping for more Melanie too. Let's see if things improve.
Update after 3 episodes: layton's character is as annoying as ever.. no improvement there.
Most of the characters lack depth, which I attribute to the writing rather than the acting. Melanie is the only character I find worth watching, and Jennifer Connelly delivers a great performance, as always. I aslo think season 3 suffered a lot because she was hardly present.
I've just started season 4, which we've waited ages for, and it looks like they're sticking with the same format, showing different sides of the story in each episode instead of giving us the full picture. It's too early to tell if there will be any improvement in the character dynamics. I hope they don't continue the pattern of alternating episodes between different settings, one outside the train, the next on the train, and so on. This would be very dull. I also hope they bring everyone together again to face the main conflict, or whatever they have planned for this season. And of course, I'm hoping for more Melanie too. Let's see if things improve.
Update after 3 episodes: layton's character is as annoying as ever.. no improvement there.
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