--- title: "Platonic: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/tv/platonic/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/tv/platonic" critics_score: 75 critics_reviews: 6 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." --- # Platonic (2023): what the critics said Critics' score 75 from 6 reviews: 5 positive, 0 mixed, 1 negative. Most critics welcome Platonic as a funny, warm account of friendship in middle age, with praise concentrated on Rose Byrne and Seth Rogen. Their chemistry makes the reunited friends’ affection and dysfunction believable, and the reviews repeatedly credit the series for avoiding a forced romance. The writing also earns approval for its grown-up dialogue and attention to ageing and personal change, while the brisk pace helps keep those concerns light. The reservations concern how well the rest of the series supports its leads. IndieWire finds the surrounding elements weaker than the central partnership, while Paste objects to repetitive hijinks and an overreliance on substance use. The spread runs from enthusiastic approval to outright dissatisfaction: Variety is notably colder, finding the tone inconsistent and the treatment of the characters’ privileged problems uncritical. For most critics, though, the performances and humour outweigh the predictability and unevenness. ## The AV Club — Cindy White Rating B+. 19 May 2023. The series is praised as a thoughtful, breezy comedy about midlife friendship and personal change that avoids romance clichés. It singles out the strong chemistry between Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne for making the dysfunctional yet enduring bond believable and entertaining. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/platonic-review-apple-tv-plus-seth-rogen-rose-byrne-1850448259) ## The Guardian Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 24 May 2023. The critic finds the series a delightful modern buddy comedy about old college friends reuniting in midlife. It is praised for its brilliant performances, incredible chemistry between the leads, and nuanced writing that celebrates deep friendship without complications from sex. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/may/24/platonic-review-rose-byrne-and-seth-rogen-might-just-have-made-the-perfect-modern-buddy-comedy) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Angie Han Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 16 May 2023. The critic calls it a fun, funny, surprisingly nuanced exploration of early middle age and a buddy comedy worth spending time with, despite some predictable elements. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/platonic-review-seth-rogen-rose-byrne-apple-tv-1235484288/) ## The i Paper — Marianne Levy Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 24 May 2023. The critic finds the series a sharply scripted, briskly paced and ultimately sweet-hearted look at midlife after initial reservations about the premise and characters. She praises the grown-up dialogue and relatable themes of friendship and ageing. [Read the review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/television/platonic-rose-byrne-seth-rogen-sharp-look-midlife-2357002) ## Variety Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 24 May 2023. The review criticizes the series for its inconsistent tone and lack of perspective on the characters' high-class problems, concluding it falls short on both laughs and insight compared to similar shows. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2023/tv/tv-reviews/platonic-review-seth-rogen-rose-byrne-apple-tv-1235621902/) ## IndieWire — Steve Greene 25 May 2023. The review finds the series works best when focused on Rose Byrne and Seth Rogen's chemistry as reunited friends, but faults the surrounding elements for not matching their strength. It singles out the leads' performances as the standout feature in this hang-out comedy about middle-aged relationships. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/shows/platonic-review-seth-rogen-rose-byrne-apple-tv-show-1234867163/) ## The Times — Carol Midgley Rating ★★★★☆. 24 May 2023. The series is a funny buddy comedy about heterosexual male-female friendship in midlife that the critic recommends as worth watching. It is singled out for the fizzing chemistry and savage banter between Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/platonic-review-seth-rogan-rose-byrne-r0c2q08vs) ## Collider — Emily Bernard Rating A. 11 May 2023. The critic praises the electric chemistry between Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne as they navigate the highs and lows of rekindling an adult platonic friendship. The review singles out the authentic dialogue and the show's refusal to force a romantic subplot for particular praise. [Read the review](https://collider.com/platonic-apple-tv-review/) ## Den of Geek — Akos Peterbencze 24 May 2023. The review calls the series a refreshing, heartfelt take on platonic friendship that delivers laughs and emotional warmth through its central duo. It singles out the charming chemistry and performances of Rose Byrne and Seth Rogen, along with the deft writing, for elevating the midlife comedy. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/platonic-review-apple-tvs-enjoyable-midlife-crisis/) ## Paste — Tara Bennett Rating 6.6. 23 May 2023. The review finds the series an uneven screwball comedy that relies too heavily on broad, repetitive hijinks and substance use, but is carried by the leads' strong rapport and serves well as a character study of flawed friends. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/comedy/platonic/platonic-show-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/platonic.md