--- title: "Ozark: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/tv/ozark/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/tv/ozark" critics_score: 69 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." --- # Ozark (2017): what the critics said Critics' score 69 from 12 reviews: 9 positive, 2 mixed, 1 negative. Most critics like Ozark, and the praise gathers around two things: the plotting and the leads. The reviews describe a tightly sprung thriller that is hard to stop watching, with menace simmering under the lakeside scenery. Jason Bateman’s quick-thinking money launderer is widely admired, and Laura Linney gets her share. The one name almost everyone mentions, admirers and doubters alike, is Julia Garner, whose Ruth is repeatedly singled out as the character who stands apart from the rest. The reservations are consistent. Breaking Bad comes up in nearly every review, and for the sceptics the resemblance is the problem: a familiar story of a decent man doing bad things, told in a dour, self-serious tone that some find monotonous. The AV Club finds the central performances uninteresting, and The Times goes further, calling the series ridiculous and unbelievable. The spread is wide, from raves to outright dismissal, though the doubters are outnumbered three to one. ## IndieWire — Ben Travers Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 21 July 2017. The critic calls the series a stunner with pins-and-needles tension and shocking payoffs from the first episode through the finale. They highlight the premiere episode's immediate power and the intense familial strife throughout. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/shows/ozark-spoilers-review-netflix-season-1-episode-1-finale-ending-jason-bateman-1201857380/) ## Variety — Sonia Saraiya Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 12 July 2017. Ozark is a smart, sharp drama that engages prestige tropes without falling into their trap and is one of the most compulsively watchable debuts of the year. It features Bateman's strongest work yet in a taut thriller that is part-thriller, part-caper. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2017/tv/reviews/ozark-review-netflix-jason-bateman-laura-linney-1202491900/) ## Radio Times — Jack Seale Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 21 July 2017. The series offers a misanthropic vision of a world where everyone is selfish and cynical, adding layers through the family dynamic. It delivers an addictive spectacle of Marty discovering how far he must go to survive. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/ozark-review-jason-bateman-breaks-bad-in-the-mountains-of-missouri/) ## The Telegraph — Ed Power Rating 4/5. 21 July 2017. Despite clichés and a Breaking Bad shadow, the tightly sprung plot makes it deeply gripping, with strong performances from Bateman and Linney. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/on-demand/0/ozark-review-cliches-aside-deeply-gripping-drama/) ## The Guardian Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 22 July 2017. The critic praises the darkly comic drama for its simmering menace and natural beauty, highlighting Jason Bateman's performance as the quick-thinking hustler. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/jul/22/ozark-review-jason-bateman-laura-linney-netflix) ## Vulture Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 19 July 2017. The critic places Ozark between Bloodline and Breaking Bad, noting it is often compelling thanks to strong performances from Bateman and Linney but can feel exhausting and contrived at times. They praise the layered leads and the fish-out-of-water dynamics. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2017/07/ozark-tv-review.html) ## The AV Club — Erik Adams Rating C-. 20 July 2017. The critic finds the series derivative of Breaking Bad and other shows, with a relentlessly dour tone and uninteresting central performances from Bateman and Linney. They single out supporting turns like Julia Garner's Ruth for praise amid the overall lethargy. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/a-money-laundering-jason-bateman-can-t-wash-the-stink-o-1798191848) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Daniel Fienberg Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 11 July 2017. Ozark is pulp masquerading as prestige, self-serious to the extreme with a dour tone and monotonous feel, though never boring. Julia Garner's Ruth stands out as the most original and compelling character. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/ozark-review-1019198/) ## The Times Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 30 July 2017. The review finds Ozark monotonous, ridiculous and unbelievable, middlebrow awards-bait lacking style or wit. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/article/television-review-top-of-the-lake-china-girl-ozark-the-last-tycoon-game-of-thrones-mc752fm0q) ## Den of Geek — Catherine Pearson Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 21 July 2017. The critic deems it a must-watch for crime drama fans, praising the believable raw performance from Jason Bateman and the intriguing narrative that intertwines many characters. They note the depressive tone but highlight the strength of the central performances. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/ozark-review-netflixs-latest-original-drama/) ## Paste — Amy Amatangelo Rating 7.2/10. 21 July 2017. The critic finds Ozark a familiar story of a good person doing bad things, like Breaking Bad, failing to stand out with too many disparate storylines and clichés; praises Julia Garner's performance as Ruth but notes the show doesn't explain motivations well. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/tv/ozark/netflixs-ozark-starring-jason-bateman-and-laura-li) ## The Ringer — Alison Herman Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 25 July 2017. The critic finds Ozark's brazen embrace of post-antihero crime drama clichés its greatest strength, turning predictability into entertainment. They single out Julia Garner's savvy and ferocious performance as the standout character. [Read the review](https://www.theringer.com/2017/07/25/tv/ozark-jason-bateman-netflix-81e2e584547d) --- © 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/ozark.md