--- title: "Lessons in Chemistry: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/tv/lessons-in-chemistry/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/tv/lessons-in-chemistry" critics_score: 62 critics_reviews: 13 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." --- # Lessons in Chemistry (2023): what the critics said Critics' score 62 from 13 reviews: 3 positive, 8 mixed, 2 negative. Most critics find Lessons in Chemistry pleasant, handsome and easy to watch, and most stop short of recommending it without qualification: three reviews are warm, eight sit in the middle and two are cold. The praise clusters on Brie Larson, whose dry, idiosyncratic Elizabeth Zott is singled out by almost every review, with several also enjoying her pairing with Lewis Pullman. Aja Naomi King draws the most consistent secondary praise as Harriet Sloane, and the 1950s setting and the cooking-show scenes are regularly noted as the parts that come alive. The reservations are about shape rather than execution: too gentle, too polished, too many storylines, politics drawn too simply. Several critics feel Harriet’s story is sidelined. The spread is wide. The i Paper and Collider rate it highly; Vulture finds it inert; Den of Geek objects almost entirely to the handling of the dog, Six-Thirty, whose narration is largely cut, a decision The Guardian applauds. ## The i Paper — Marianne Levy Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 13 October 2023. Levy calls the adaptation a resounding success, with only occasional missteps. She especially praises Brie Larson’s nuanced, magnetic performance and the series’ vivid presentation. [Read the review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/television/lessons-in-chemistry-apple-tv-review-2681853?ico=most_popular) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Angie Han Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 29 September 2023. Han finds the series imperfect but enjoyable, praising its endearing cast, witty dialogue, and accessible themes. She especially singles out Brie Larson’s open, dryly humorous performance, while criticizing the simplistic politics and uneven subplots. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/lessons-in-chemistry-brie-larson-apple-tv-1235600921/) ## Empire — Sophie Butcher Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 13 October 2023. The review finds the series affecting and worthwhile, though overly gentle and sometimes sentimental. It praises Brie Larson’s performance and the richly realised period setting, while noting that the cooking scenes are especially absorbing. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/tv/reviews/lessons-in-chemistry/) ## The Guardian — Lucy Mangan Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 13 October 2023. Mangan finds the series wholly enjoyable and highly watchable, but ultimately feels it wastes an opportunity to offer something fresh. She praises Aja Naomi King’s charismatic performance and the decision to largely remove the talking dog. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/oct/13/lessons-in-chemistry-review-luckily-the-talking-dog-segments-are-kept-to-a-minimum) ## Variety — Alison Herman Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 13 October 2023. Herman finds the series uneven but sees it as a welcome showcase for Brie Larson. She especially praises Larson’s idiosyncratic performance and her affecting chemistry with Lewis Pullman. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2023/tv/tv-reviews/lessons-in-chemistry-review-brie-larson-1235751451/) ## The AV Club — Meredith Hobbs Coons Rating C+. 9 October 2023. The review finds the series an enjoyable, feel-good adaptation that remains somewhat under-seasoned. It especially praises Aja Naomi King’s fully realized portrayal of Harriet Sloane and her compelling storyline. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/lessons-in-chemistry-review-apple-tv-plus-brie-larson-1850892807) ## Evening Standard — Vicky Jessop Rating 3/5. 12 October 2023. Jessop finds the series enjoyable but too polished and underdone to make a lasting impression. She praises Brie Larson’s performance and the show’s gorgeous visuals, while criticizing its predictable story and bluntly drawn characters. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/tvfilm/lessons-in-chemistry-on-apple-tv-review-brie-larson-b1112865.html) ## Radio Times — Morgan Cormack Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 11 October 2023. The review suggests the series is engaging but somewhat muddled. It praises Brie Larson’s captivating performance while noting the tale feels slightly muddled. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/lessons-in-chemistry-apple-tv-review/) ## IndieWire — Ben Travers Rating C-. 13 October 2023. Travers finds the series muddled and exasperating, unable to balance its romance with its other storylines. He praises the central romance, noting that Brie Larson and Lewis Pullman make a cute pair. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/shows/lessons-in-chemistry-review-apple-tv-show-1234915671/) ## Vulture — Jen Chaney Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 13 October 2023. Chaney finds the series handsome and entertaining but ultimately inert and insufficiently challenging. She praises Aja Naomi King’s warmth and quiet power as Harriet, while faulting the show for sidelining her story and yielding screen time to a dog’s point of view. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/article/lessons-in-chemistry-review-apple-tv.html) ## Collider — Carly Lane Rating 9/10. 29 September 2023. The review finds the series rewarding and praises Brie Larson’s dynamic portrayal of Elizabeth Zott. It also highlights the central romance, while noting that Harriet’s story initially lacks independence and equal weight. [Read the review](https://collider.com/lessons-in-chemistry-apple-tv-review/) ## Paste — Kaiya Shunyata Rating 6.9/10. 11 October 2023. Shunyata finds the series weighed down by too many storylines and an unclear focus, despite its strong beginning. Brie Larson’s performance and Elizabeth’s journey from chemist to cooking-show host stand out as its strengths. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/tv/apple-tv-plus/lessons-in-chemistry-review) ## Den of Geek — Erin Qualey Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 27 October 2023. The critic finds the series’ treatment of Six-Thirty frustrating and inconsistent. She praises B.J. Novak’s voice performance but objects to the loss of the dog’s narration and changes that make him seem responsible for Calvin’s death. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/lessons-in-chemistry-leaves-six-thirty-fans-in-the-doghouse/) --- © 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/lessons-in-chemistry.md