--- title: "Deutschland: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/tv/deutschland/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/tv/deutschland" critics_score: 70 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." --- # Deutschland (2015): what the critics said Critics' score 70 from 8 reviews: 7 positive, 0 mixed, 1 negative. Most critics like Deutschland 83, and they like it for the same reasons. It is described as a taut, stylish spy drama whose freshness comes from the angle: a young East German agent sent West, so that the audience ends up rooting for the Stasi man. Jonas Nay’s lead performance draws steady praise for making that reluctant spy easy to side with. The period detail is admired, the 1980s soundtrack is singled out repeatedly, and several reviews note a dry, ironic humour that keeps the Cold War stakes from turning solemn. The reservations are mild and scattered. Some critics find the plotting contrived and a few of the supporting characters cartoonish; one thinks the plot leans on fairly basic tension. The spread is narrow with one exception: The Times dissents sharply, granting the series an even-handed question about who the real German patriot is but finding it too blunt to explore the point, a potboiler that happens to have subtitles. Nobody else comes close to that verdict. ## The AV Club — Genevieve Valentine Rating B+. 17 June 2015. Deutschland 83 offers a stylish, high-stakes take on the spy genre with dry humor and strong lead performance from Jonas Nay as the reluctant East German agent. It balances suspense and character isolation effectively despite some on-the-nose elements. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/deutschland-83-takes-its-spycraft-straight-up-with-a-t-1798184095) ## IndieWire — Matt Brennan Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 23 June 2015. The review positions Deutschland 83 as a fresh spy story that could shape the future of TV drama, contrasting it with the waning The Americans. It highlights the series' timely espionage premise set against 1980s Cold War tensions. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/shows/deutschland-83-the-americans-and-the-end-of-an-era-in-tv-drama-trailer-186944/) ## Radio Times — Ben Dowell Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 3 January 2016. The critic finds it a taut and unusual Cold War spy drama that offers an original East German perspective on a stranger-in-a-strange-land story. Praise is singled out for the excellent nostalgia-boosting 1980s soundtrack. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/deutschland-83-lets-you-wallow-in-nostalgia-nena-and-a-gripping-cold-war-thriller/) ## The Guardian Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 4 January 2016. The critic finds the culture clash and espionage premise in this German series refreshing and astutely observed, noting unexpected pleasures in rooting for the Stasi spy protagonist amid Cold War tensions. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2016/jan/04/war-and-peace-deutschland-83-review) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Stephen Dalton Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 11 February 2015. Festival review. The critic calls it a fun, glossy remix of recent history with a light, ironic pop-culture spin on apocalyptic events and an engagingly retro soundtrack. Some contrivances and cartoonish characters are noted as drawbacks. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/deutschland-83-berlin-review-772394/) ## The Telegraph — Harry Mount Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 3 January 2016. The series is gripping as an East German version of Homeland, rich in period detail and subtle differences between East and West, though the plot relies on basic tension; the charm of the protagonist makes viewers root for his efforts. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/tv-and-radio-reviews/12075877/Deutschland-83-review-gripping.html) ## The Times Rating ★★☆☆☆. 4 January 2016. The series asks who the real German patriot is in an even-handed way but is not clever enough to explore the point with subtlety; it proves potboilers can come with subtitles. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/tv-review-deutschland-83-beowulf-return-to-the-shieldlands-2dtj7089k93) ## Collider — Allison Keene Rating Excellent — Awards material. 16 June 2015. The critic finds the series tense, stylish, engaging, and engrossing as a spy tale that balances East and West German perspectives through the relatable lead character Martin. She singles out the fast-paced tone with quiet humor and pop culture references alongside firm emotional connection to the protagonist's story. [Read the review](https://collider.com/deutschland-83-sundance-tv-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/deutschland.md