--- title: "Brothers: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/tv/brothers/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/tv/brothers" critics_score: 47 critics_reviews: 9 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." --- # Brothers (2026): what the critics said Critics' score 47 from 9 reviews: 1 positive, 3 mixed, 5 negative. The reviews lean negative on Brothers, though there is broad agreement that its cast supplies some pleasure. Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson’s easy comic chemistry draws praise even from critics who find little else to recommend. Supporting performances also earn approval, with Holland Taylor singled out more than once. The warmer notices describe an amiable, undemanding sitcom; even several cooler ones acknowledge occasional laughs and the leads’ natural ease together. The main reservations concern familiar plots, predictable jokes and writing that gives the cast too little to work with. Critics differ substantially over how far charm compensates: The Guardian finds the series fun despite its inessentiality, while Variety argues that the chemistry cannot sustain such thin material and faults its lack of self-scrutiny. IndieWire likewise sees the stars caught between self-parody and self-flattery. The divide is chiefly over whether the performers make the familiarity enjoyable or merely bearable. ## The Guardian — Jack Seale Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 23 September 2026. The critic calls the sitcom a fun, tasty treat, despite finding it inessential. He praises the comic dynamic between the leads and the supporting cast, especially Holland Taylor and Lisa Gilroy. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2026/sep/23/brothers-review-woody-harrelson-and-matthew-mcconaugheys-super-fun-sitcom-about-the-chance-theyre-related) ## Empire — Helen O’Hara Fi1m's normalised score 68/100 (inferred from the text). 23 September 2026. O’Hara finds the series amiable and gently amusing, though somewhat overstuffed. She particularly praises the easy comic chemistry between its overqualified leads and the supporting cast’s sharp put-downs. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/tv/reviews/brothers-2026/) ## IndieWire — Ben Travers Rating C-. 23 September 2026. Travers finds the series limp, clichéd, and forgettable. He faults it for leaving its stars stranded between self-parody and self-flattery. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/shows/brothers-review-matthew-mcconaughey-woody-harrelson-series-1235218037/) ## Vulture — Nicholas Quah Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 23 September 2026. Quah finds the comedy pedestrian, with only occasional laughs, though the series has some appeal. He praises the textured Austin locations and McConaughey’s charisma, while noting that many jokes are predictable. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/article/brothers-matthew-mcconaughey-woody-harrelson-apple-tv-comedy-review.html) ## The AV Club — Erik Adams Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 23 September 2026. Adams finds the series half-baked and forgettable, despite its occasional laughs and strong cast. He especially praises Harrelson’s comic performance and the tender dynamic he develops with Kuan, while criticizing the stock plots and McConaughey’s muted role. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/brothers-review-apple-tv-matthew-mcconaughey-woody-harrelson) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Daniel Fienberg Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 23 September 2026. Fienberg finds the series intermittently engaging but mostly aimless, clichéd, and forgettable. He praises the stars’ natural on-screen chemistry, while criticizing the weak writing and lack of a cohesive voice. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/brothers-review-matthew-mcconaughey-woody-harrelson-apple-1236707764/) ## Variety — Alison Herman Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 23 September 2026. Herman finds the series too thin to work as a compelling show, despite the leads’ comic chemistry. She particularly faults its reluctance to offer real insight or self-scrutiny about its stars. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2026/tv/reviews/brothers-review-matthew-mcconaughey-woody-harrelson-1236872371/) ## Collider — Victoria Luxford Rating 6/10. 23 September 2026. Luxford finds the sitcom an enjoyable, easygoing watch, though its familiar humor and thin supporting characters keep it from standing out. She praises the chemistry between McConaughey and Harrelson, and singles out Holland Taylor as a highlight. [Read the review](https://collider.com/brothers-apple-tv-review-matthew-mcconaughey-woody-harrelson/) ## Consequence — Liz Shannon Miller Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 23 September 2026. The critic finds the series mildly entertaining but stretched thin across eight episodes. She praises the stars’ natural comic ease and some supporting performances, while faulting the stale sitcom antics. [Read the review](https://consequence.net/2026/09/brothers-review-mcconaughey-harrelson-apple/) --- © 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/brothers.md