--- title: "Atlanta: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/tv/atlanta/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/tv/atlanta" critics_score: 88 critics_reviews: 8 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Atlanta (2016): what the critics said Critics' score 88 from 8 reviews: 8 positive, 0 mixed, 0 negative. The reviews are uniformly warm. Most critics agree the series is unusual in shape: a comedy about young black life in Atlanta that skips the sitcom structure and the moral lesson, and lets its jokes build slowly. The praise clusters on tone and on the cast. Brian Tyree Henry as Paper Boi is singled out more than once, and LaKeith Stanfield’s Darius is picked out too, along with Hiro Murai’s direction for keeping the surreal turns grounded in the everyday. Reservations are scarce. The spread is narrow, from firmly good to very good, and nobody files a mixed or negative notice. What differs is emphasis. The Ringer reads it chiefly as a hip-hop show, valuing the money troubles and small hustles over any success story. Den of Geek and Collider, the coolest of the group, still call it fresh and funny; their lower marks come without a stated complaint. ## The AV Club — Vikram Murthi Rating A-. 31 August 2016. The series excels as a funny, offbeat exploration of black life in Atlanta that avoids becoming a heavy-handed statement piece. It highlights the strong performances of its leads and its distinctive comedic voice. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/donald-glover-didn-t-want-atlanta-to-be-important-but-1798188835) ## The Guardian Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 19 October 2016. The series is the smartest and funniest on TV, an uncompromising look at life delivered by young black writers flexing creative muscles. It stands out for its experimental approach without traditional narrative structure or moral judgments. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2016/oct/19/atlanta-donald-glover-show-example-young-black-writers-creative-tv) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Tim Goodman Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 24 August 2016. The review highlights the show's simple premise and soulful, evocative execution as an existential young Black comedy about daily survival, calling its self-assured originality one of the most fascinating series on television. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/fxs-atlanta-tv-review-922153/) ## The Independent Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 24 October 2016. Atlanta is the best new show this year, operating on a different plane with varied enjoyments and grabbing the viewer from the first episode. It excels through strong performances, especially Brian Tyree Henry as Paper Boi, and its exploration of black culture with heart and personality. [Read the review](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/atlanta-donald-glover-fx-season-1-is-the-best-new-show-this-year-a7377986.html) ## Variety — Sonia Saraiya Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 1 September 2016. The critic finds the debut season a finished, cinematic production and one of the best new shows of the fall, praising its slow-build humor and distinctive tone over conventional sitcom structure. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2016/tv/reviews/tv-review-fx-atlanta-better-things-donald-glover-pamela-adlon-1201850453/) ## The Ringer — Justin Charity Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 6 September 2016. The critic hails Atlanta as the realest hip-hop show on TV for its grounded, unglamorous portrayal of struggling characters in the Atlanta rap scene. He singles out its focus on mundane hustles, money troubles, and authentic black perspectives over success-story tropes or industry glamour. [Read the review](https://www.theringer.com/2016/09/06/tv/atlanta-fx-show-donald-glover-737e59619a4a) ## Collider — Allison Keene Rating ★★★★. 29 August 2016. The critic praises the series as funny, deep, and unique, highlighting its honest portrayal of Atlanta life and the surreal yet grounded storytelling under Hiro Murai's direction. They single out the performances, particularly LaKeith Stanfield as Darius, and the show's specific yet universal appeal. [Read the review](https://collider.com/atlanta-review-donald-glover/) ## Den of Geek — Joe Matar Rating 4/5. 6 September 2016. Atlanta stands out for its unusual blend of tones and its focus on an under-represented southern Black neighborhood and its characters. The show takes risks with storytelling and mixes drama, comedy, and surreal elements in fresh ways. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/atlanta-review/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/tv/atlanta.md