--- title: "Gangs of London: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/tv/gangs-of-london/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/tv/gangs-of-london" critics_score: 68 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." --- # Gangs of London (2020): what the critics said Critics' score 68 from 12 reviews: 9 positive, 2 mixed, 1 negative. Most critics respond favourably to Gangs of London, with praise concentrated on its inventive fight choreography and forceful visual style. The action sequences are the clearest point of agreement: even reviews frustrated by the plotting find the brawls and set pieces compelling. Performances also draw praise, particularly Sope Dirisu’s, while several critics find enough family conflict and gangland politics to sustain interest between confrontations. The reservations concern familiar plotting, strained dialogue and whether the brutality serves the drama. Vulture admires the action but finds the clichéd story increasingly tedious; Paste argues that the excessive violence undermines investment in the characters. The spread is wide despite the positive majority, with disagreement extending to the production itself. The Telegraph is the sharpest dissenter, judging the series cheap-looking and unconvincing where most critics see polish, and finding that even a capable cast cannot rescue the script. ## Radio Times — Michael Potts Rating 4/5. 1 October 2020. The review calls it a gritty, uber-violent drama that balances intense gangland politics with standout fight scenes. It singles out Sope Dirisu's performance and the inventive action choreography for particular praise. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/gangs-of-london-review/) ## The Guardian Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 23 April 2020. The series promises a wild and polished ride despite graphic violence that is explicit but not entirely mindless. The critic singles out the impeccably choreographed set pieces and the underlying questions about family and loyalty for potential depth. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/apr/23/gangs-of-london-review-a-thrilling-dose-of-capital-punishment) ## Empire — Dan Jolin Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 21 April 2020. The review praises the stylish, big-budget update to the British gangster genre with hyper-kinetic action sequences from the makers of The Raid. It singles out the inventive, ferocious violence and Sope Dirisu's performance as highlights amid familiar but well-executed gangland politics. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/tv/reviews/gangs-of-london/) ## The Times — Carol Midgley Rating ★★★★☆. 24 April 2020. The critic finds the arty violence mesmerising and detached rather than nauseating, praising the excellent cast including Joe Cole and Sope Dirisu. The slick spectacle and emotional moments stand out amid the brutality. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/uk/article/gangs-of-london-review-violence-this-arty-doesnt-make-me-feel-peaky-8v02d2hkd) ## Vulture — Matt Zoller Seitz Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 2 April 2021. The critic praises the otherworldly excellence of the brawls, foot chases, and acrobatic action sequences as sublime and invigorating but finds the clichéd plot and parable of toxic masculinity tedious after a while. They highlight the fight choreography and dynamic camerawork as standout elements worth waiting for. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/article/gangs-of-london-review.html) ## The Independent Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 23 April 2020. The series combines heightened violence with ludicrous soapy melodrama that does not quite gel. The critic praises the fantastical and choreographed fight scenes but complains about giggle-inducing dialogue and wallowing in melodrama. [Read the review](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/gangs-of-london-review-sky-atlantic-gareth-evans-joe-cole-colm-meaney-a9480111.html) ## The Telegraph Rating 1/5. 23 April 2020. The critic hated the series, finding the violence jarring in a cheap-looking TV show and the script full of terrible dialogue. A high-calibre cast is wasted on implausible and unconvincing elements. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2020/04/23/gangs-london-review-violent-cockney-drama-painful-hurts/) ## Den of Geek — Rosie Fletcher Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 22 April 2020. The critic calls it one of the best new shows Sky or anyone has released, a massive cinematic epic with incredible scale, complex politics, and a sense that any character could die at any moment. They single out the gorgeous cinematography, pin-sharp sound design, incredible ensemble cast, and action sequences at least as good as anything in the cinema. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/gangs-of-london-review/) ## Collider — Gregory Lawrence Rating B+. 7 April 2021. The critic highlights the addictive mix of complex crime plotting, strong performances (especially Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù), and jaw-dropping action sequences from Gareth Evans, while noting some simplistic character elements; overall it is gripping and unique prestige TV. [Read the review](https://collider.com/gangs-of-london-amc-review/) ## NME — Olly Richards Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 24 April 2020. The critic praises the series as a stylish, ultra-violent crime epic with inventive fight scenes and strong visual flair, comparing it favorably to a modern Game of Thrones or Peaky Blinders and calling it a strong addition to British TV crime dramas. [Read the review](https://www.nme.com/reviews/gangs-of-london-review-joe-cole-peaky-blinders-2653449) ## The Ringer — Miles Surrey Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 19 November 2020. The critic finds the series formulaic in its gangster plot but highly entertaining due to its standout violent action sequences. The fight choreography and set pieces are singled out as the element that elevates the show above similar crime dramas. [Read the review](https://www.theringer.com/2020/11/19/tv/gangs-of-london-gareth-evans) ## Paste — Shane Ryan Rating 5.2/10. 8 December 2020. The review finds the show frustrating due to its excessive, purposeless ultra-violence that undermines any narrative or character investment, despite some initial promise in the setup of London crime families. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/tv/gangs-of-london/gangs-of-london-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/gangs-of-london.md