--- title: "Bodyguard: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/tv/bodyguard/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/tv/bodyguard" critics_score: 81 critics_reviews: 12 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." --- # Bodyguard (2018): what the critics said Critics' score 81 from 12 reviews: 10 positive, 2 mixed, 0 negative. Most critics find Bodyguard a gripping political thriller, with ten positive reviews, two mixed and none negative. Praise centres on Richard Madden’s performance, with Keeley Hawes also singled out, and on Jed Mercurio’s ability to sustain tension through intricate plotting. The reviews repeatedly commend the suspenseful opening, controlled pacing and forceful set pieces; several also find emotional depth beneath the conspiracy, particularly in the treatment of personal trauma. The disagreements concern how much credibility the twists can spend before the suspense suffers. Even favourable reviews acknowledge clichés and strained plotting, while Radio Times finds the closing explanations both satisfying and implausible. The Ringer offers the sharpest dissent, arguing that the early precision gives way to confusing double-crosses, muddled politics and underserved female characters. The spread is mostly positive rather than polarised: most critics accept the excesses as part of the entertainment, but the dissenters find that they weaken the drama. ## IndieWire — Hanh Nguyen Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 24 October 2018. The critic highlights Richard Madden's commanding performance in this addictive conspiracy thriller that broke UK ratings records. The series hooks viewers immediately with its tense plotting and strong lead turns. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/shows/bodyguard-review-netflix-richard-madden-keeley-hawes-ending-spoilers-1202014980/) ## The i Paper — Jeff Robson Rating ****. 24 September 2018. The series maintained gripping tension and surprising twists through to the finale, thanks to Mercurio's script and the directors' (including John Strickland) creation of a plausible Britain under threat. Strong performances, especially Richard Madden's, kept viewers hooked despite the rapid piling on of plot elements. [Read the review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/television/mercurios-must-see-drama-maintains-the-knife-edge-tension-in-a-twisty-gripping-last-episode-200668) ## The Guardian — Lucy Mangan Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 26 August 2018. The critic praises the series as a dark and addictive thriller from Jed Mercurio that subverts expectations around power and corruption. She singles out the strong performances from Richard Madden and Keeley Hawes for particular praise. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/aug/26/bodyguard-review-jed-mercurios-latest-thriller-is-as-dark-and-moreish-as-we-hoped) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Tim Goodman Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 24 October 2018. The series is massively entertaining with pulse-pounding action, intricate plotting and nerve-wracking tension created by the directors (including John Strickland), though it occasionally strains credibility with too many twists. Strong performances and a riveting pace make it worthwhile despite minor flaws. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/bodyguard-review-1154663/) ## The Times — Carol Midgley Rating ★★★★☆. 27 August 2018. The critic calls it a terrific, suspense-filled opener that meets high expectations set by Line of Duty, highlighting the strong setup and performances. She notes it delivers on tension and intrigue despite occasional clunky moments. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/tv-review-bodyguard-eight-go-rallying-the-road-to-saigon-5gwr9m2n3) ## Vulture Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 24 October 2018. The review calls the series gripping and bingeable, with nerve-rattling set pieces and strong performances from Madden and Hawes that evoke the best of 24 and Homeland, despite occasional clichés. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2018/10/bodyguard-netflix-review.html) ## Radio Times — Eleanor Bley Griffiths Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 23 September 2018. The finale delivered a fiendishly complex explanation tying up loose ends with brilliant jeopardy and chemistry, but it was also somewhat absurd with implausible plot holes and an unsatisfying return to Islamic terrorism tropes. It was a satisfying if ludicrous ride overall. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/was-the-bodyguard-finale-just-too-absurd/) ## Digital Spy — Morgan Jeffery Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 26 August 2018. The review praises the episode's incredible opening sequence and tense atmosphere, noting strong performances from Madden and Hawes that make the series instantly gripping and unpredictable. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a864551/bodyguard-bbc-review-episode-1/) ## Den of Geek — Louisa Mellor Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 26 August 2018. The critic describes the series as a finely wrought political thriller with an efficient premise and expert tension-building in its opening episode, praising the cast and Mercurio's signature style. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/bodyguard-episode-1-review-2/) ## Paste — Matt Brennan Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 24 October 2018. The series excels through its methodical, real-time pacing and watchful camerawork that builds suspense without shortcuts. It stands out for connecting personal trauma and political themes in a taut thriller that feels obsessive and haunting. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/tv/bodyguard/why-bodyguard-should-be-your-next-tv-obsession) ## Collider — Allison Keene Rating ★★★★. 23 October 2018. The series is an exhilarating, anxiety-inducing thriller that showcases Richard Madden's enthralling and heartbreaking performance as the lead. It stands out for its tense pacing and emotional depth despite familiar elements. [Read the review](https://collider.com/bodyguard-review-netflix/) ## The Ringer — Alison Herman Fi1m's normalised score 55/100 (inferred from the text). 25 October 2018. The series succeeds early on as a tense political thriller with crisp cinematography and realistic London locations but falters midway by descending into confusing double-crosses and muddled politics. The cynicism becomes reflexive rather than savvy, and key female characters are underserved. [Read the review](https://www.theringer.com/2018/10/25/tv/bodyguard-richard-madden-netflix) --- © 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/bodyguard.md