--- title: "POSE: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/tv/pose/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/tv/pose" critics_score: 82 critics_reviews: 7 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." --- # POSE (2018): what the critics said Critics' score 82 from 7 reviews: 7 positive, 0 mixed, 0 negative. The reviews are uniformly positive, and the praise clusters in the same places: the recreation of the 1980s New York ballroom scene, the casting of trans actors in leading roles, and the writing from trans creators behind the camera. Most critics find the ball sequences opulent and the family drama around them warm and sincere, with the ensemble singled out repeatedly. Several note the series shows a world television has not put on screen before at this scale, and that it carries this with confidence. The spread is narrow; nobody is unconvinced. The reservations are small: Variety finds the series sometimes takes on too much at once, and Vulture allows that it can turn didactic between the ball scenes. IndieWire is the coolest, arguing the core stories are conventional and that the familiarity is part of the appeal rather than a fault. Consequence singles out the fourth episode as the point where the series settles into its best character work. ## The Guardian Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 21 March 2019. The critic finds the series a sophisticated, era-defining drama that is both fabulous and great, praising its gold-standard representation and emotional depth. They single out the authentic portrayal of ballroom culture and the resilience of its characters for particular praise. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/mar/21/pose-review-ryan-murphy-show-voguing-underground-ballroom-new-york) ## Variety — Caroline Framke Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 30 May 2018. The critic calls “Pose” revolutionary for centering the 1980s New York ballroom scene and trans characters with authentic casting and writing by trans creators. She praises its ambition, opulence, and electric spirit while noting it sometimes tackles too much at once. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2018/tv/reviews/pose-fx-review-ryan-murphy-1202824492/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Daniel Fienberg Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 22 May 2018. The review describes “Pose” as an accessible feast of representation that blends flamboyant ball culture with inclusive family drama and strong performances from its largely trans cast. It notes the show’s progressive casting and focus on craving stability and chosen family. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/pose-review-1113758/) ## The Telegraph Rating 4/5. 21 March 2019. The review praises the stylish, character-rich pilot for its emotional affect and vivid recreation of 1980s New York ball culture. It highlights the strong ensemble and the heartfelt exploration of found families and outsider status. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2019/03/21/pose-episode-1-review-stylish-drama-took-us-back-hedonistic/) ## Vulture Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 5 June 2018. Ryan Murphy’s queer musical-dance series is a TV event so unprecedented that comparisons fall apart, balancing earnest drama with flamboyant ballroom scenes and didactic moments while hanging together well overall. It shows American audiences a world never visualized on television at this length and budget, with confidence and a liberating energy. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2018/06/pose-fx-review.html) ## IndieWire — Ben Travers Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 3 June 2018. The series features the largest cast of transgender actors in series regular roles and uses conventional core stories to its advantage in an enticing LGBTQ drama. Murphy's FX show earns glamour and glory through its familiarity and bold representation. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/shows/pose-fx-review-ryan-murphy-trans-cast-tv-show-1201970601/) ## Consequence — Clint Worthington Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 1 June 2018. The critic praises the series as a bold, glamorous, and deeply felt exploration of 1980s New York ball culture and underrepresented LGBTQ characters, highlighting its opulent style, strong trans cast performances, and emotional handling of themes like AIDS and chosen family. They single out the fourth episode for elevating the show to Murphy's best work through authentic character-driven storytelling. [Read the review](https://consequence.net/2018/06/television-review-pose/) --- © 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/pose.md