--- title: "Shrinking" year: 2023 kind: "series" canonical: "https://film.one/tv/shrinking" fi1m_score: 61 critics_score: 56 critics_reviews: 16 published: "2026-09-17T16:40:31.719025+00:00" updated: "2026-09-17T16:40:54.469652+00:00" region: "US" 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." --- # Shrinking (2023) Created by Brett Goldstein, Jason Segel, Bill Lawrence · MPA TV-MA · Drama, Comedy **Fi1m score: 61** · Critics 56 from 16 reviews *In a sentence:* Harrison Ford would like everyone to pull themselves together, and we sympathise > Harrison Ford’s dry comedy makes *Shrinking* worth trying, despite its hurried treatment of grief. Jason Segel brings vulnerability to a therapist whose broken boundaries deserve more scrutiny than the writing allows. ## Synopsis Jimmy (Jason Segel) is a therapist struggling with grief and growing impatient with the professional rules that govern his work. He wants to help his patients, but begins pushing past the boundaries meant to protect them. His colleague and mentor, Dr. Paul Rhodes (Harrison Ford), brings a gruff presence to the same troubled circle, which also includes Gaby (Jessica Williams). The people offering support have private difficulties of their own, and Jimmy’s distress complicates his judgement. His efforts to get others moving leave those around him contending with a therapist who needs considerable help himself. ## Review Created by Jason Segel, Brett Goldstein and Bill Lawrence, *Shrinking* follows a grieving therapist who begins breaking professional rules. It is an uneven comedy with enough good acting to make it worth trying, provided the appeal is spending time with these people. The more seriously it asks us to take Jimmy’s methods, the less persuasive it becomes. There is a worthwhile question here about what happens when the person offering help badly needs it himself, but the programme keeps interrupting that question to make everybody likeable. Jason Segel gives Jimmy a vulnerability that explains why people might persist with him through some exhausting behaviour. His impatience can be funny, and the performance allows grief to make him awkward rather than nobly sad. The writing is less reliable when it treats his disregard for boundaries as an invigorating alternative to doing the job properly. A patient’s response needs to count for more than evidence that Jimmy might be onto something, and the programme does not consistently give that response enough weight. Harrison Ford, as Dr. Paul Rhodes, supplies the resistance this needs. We laughed at his grumpy responses because he lets the impatience stand without immediately begging us to find it endearing. There is enough hurt in the performance to make the bad temper understandable, and he does not let that hurt spoil the joke. Jessica Williams gives Gaby an ease that makes the ensemble pleasant company. Those performances make the ordinary business of listening to people talk considerably more enjoyable than the premise might suggest. Jim Frohna and John Brawley’s cinematography and Cabot McMullen’s production design keep the programme looking welcoming. The approach suits a comedy that wants these people to become familiar company, and it makes the ensemble scenes easy to settle into. It is less helpful when Jimmy’s behaviour needs to disturb us. Little in the presentation unsettles that comfortable mood, so the performances have to supply most of the grief and anger. The editing team of James Renfroe, Sarah Lucky, Missy Hernandez, Peggy Tachdjian and Katie Abel is least persuasive in the emotional montages. Those passages encourage us to accept that something has been felt and settled before the writing has done enough to convince us. Tom Howe’s music supports the tenderness, but the cumulative effect is too insistent. A quieter stretch, with less encouragement to feel reassured, would give the performances more room and the difficulties more weight. A comedy about therapy need not become a lesson in professional conduct. Breaking the rules can be a sound dramatic choice, especially when the person doing it is both capable of kindness and difficult to endure. But the reactions around him have to feel believable, and *Shrinking* too often rushes past the awkwardness towards a friendly understanding. That makes its darker moments feel temporary, as though a sufficiently agreeable conversation will soon clear them away. The unevenness matters because the cast can handle more than the writing regularly asks of them. There are laughs here, and performances that make the unhappiness credible; an episode can be pleasant company without solving anybody’s problems. We would give it a chance for Harrison Ford, with the caveat that the programme’s eagerness to soothe is persistent. Anyone hoping for a searching account of what a therapist owes a patient should lower those expectations. *Fi1m score 61, published 17 September 2026.* ## What the critics say The consensus on Shrinking is mixed, with critics sharply divided over its treatment of grief and therapy. Harrison Ford provides the clearest point of agreement: even several negative reviews praise his grouchy humour and dramatic weight. The ensemble earns broader approval, though enthusiasm for Jason Segel’s vulnerable lead performance is less consistent. Supporters find warmth, wit and an appealing group of characters, with some reporting that the series settles after a shaky start. The disagreement centres on whether that warmth feels earned. Collider finds the performances and handling of grief convincing, while The i Paper sees an irritating, directionless series that lets its therapist’s unethical behaviour pass without consequences. Other reservations concern emotional montages, easy resolutions and an eagerness to please that softens the darker material. The spread is wide: what admirers describe as heartfelt comedy strikes detractors as sentimentality that avoids difficult questions. ### Reviews we read (16) - **Radio Times**, James Hibbs (4/5): The critic sees strong potential in the grief-driven dramedy and its ensemble, especially Segel and Ford, though it is slower and bumpier than Ted Lasso. Characters grow engaging over time. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/comedy/shrinking-apple-review/) - **Empire**, John Nugent (70/100, inferred): The critic praises the tragicomic balance, Segel's vulnerable performance, and Ford's surprising comic turn as a grouchy mentor. It is sweetly funny and sentimental, though somewhat cosy and conventional. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/tv/reviews/shrinking/) - **IndieWire**, Ben Travers (B-): The series is too cute for its own good and its central character is often infuriating, but Harrison Ford's performance as the curmudgeonly colleague elevates the show significantly. [Read](https://www.indiewire.com/2023/01/shrinking-review-apple-tv-plus-harrison-ford-ted-lasso-1234801517/) - **The AV Club**, Manuel Betancourt (C+): The premiere episodes struggle to balance comedic and dramatic elements while questioning the ethics of the therapist's unorthodox methods; the critic prefers the focus on Harrison Ford's character over Jason Segel's lead. [Read](https://www.avclub.com/shrinking-review-season-1-episodes-1-and-2-premiere-1850027110) - **Vulture** (55/100, inferred): The series has charm thanks to its cast and Harrison Ford in particular, but its aggressive desire to be liked and relentless focus on feelings and problems becomes grating over time. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/article/review-shrinking-apple-tv-streaming-series-jason-segel-harrison-ford.html) - **The Hollywood Reporter**, Angie Han (50/100, inferred): The critic notes Ford keeps the wobbly dramedy afloat with strong turns, but the series is too eager to please and glosses over darkness, diminishing stakes despite endearing performances. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/shrinking-review-harrison-ford-jason-segel-apple-tv-1235307287/) - **The Telegraph** (40/100, inferred): The critic finds the Apple TV+ series sentimental and schmaltzy, making Ted Lasso look subtle by comparison, with plenty of promise but not enough bite. Strong performances, especially from Harrison Ford, are undercut by excessive emotional montages and lack of impact. [Read](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2023/01/23/shrinking-review-sentimental-psych-com-makes-ted-lasso-look/) - **Variety**, Daniel D'Addario (40/100, inferred): The critic finds the focus on grief and therapy makes for a tough, talky sit that feels pre-chewed and lacking texture. Ford has strong dramatic moments but Segel struggles to make the lead compelling. [Read](https://variety.com/2023/tv/reviews/shrinking-review-harrison-ford-jason-segel-drama-1235491882/) - **The i Paper**, Rachael Sigee (30/100, inferred): The critic finds the show irritatingly schmaltzy and directionless, with an unlikeable protagonist whose unethical behavior lacks consequences. Harrison Ford's grumpy performance stands out amid the uneven tone. [Read](https://inews.co.uk/culture/television/shrinking-apple-tv-review-irritating-schmaltz-like-ted-lasso-2109476) - **Evening Standard**, Martin Robinson (20/100, inferred): The critic calls the series bad and overly sentimental, with mushy musical montages that undermine its promising premise and cast including Jason Segel and Harrison Ford. It fails to explore grief or depression meaningfully and comes across as cynical and nauseating. [Read](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/tvfilm/shrinking-apple-tv-plus-review-harrison-ford-jason-segel-therapist-b1051974.html) - **Collider**, Nate Richard (A-): Jason Segel and Harrison Ford deliver brilliant performances in this earnest dramedy about grief and therapy. Ford especially stands out with his grumpy yet vulnerable energy, making the show one of the most authentic new comedies. [Read](https://collider.com/shrinking-apple-tv-review/) - **Paste**, Akos Peterbencze (8.5): The series introduces a hilarious psychological vigilante in a witty, heartfelt package with irresistibly likable quirky characters. The well-balanced sarcastic humor rooted in pain and heartache, along with strong performances including Harrison Ford's, makes it a delight from the start. [Read](https://www.pastemagazine.com/tv/shrinking/shrinking-review) - **Consequence** (B+): The new Apple TV+ series deftly explores the intersection of grief and humor through a delightful pairing of Jason Segel and Harrison Ford. Harrison Ford steals the show as the lovable crank Paul, providing the standout element in this codependent therapists' story. [Read](https://consequence.net/2023/01/shrinking-review-jason-segel-harrison-ford/) - **/Film**, Josh Spiegel (80/100, inferred): The series is a thorny but charming dramedy that becomes one of Apple TV+'s strongest and most winning shows after a shaky pilot. The critic singles out the hangout quality and the cast's ability to make viewers want to spend more time with the characters. [Read](https://www.slashfilm.com/1175312/shrinking-review-a-thorny-but-charming-dramedy-with-depth/) - **The Ringer**, Alison Herman (35/100, inferred): The critic finds that Shrinking attempts to replicate the success of Ted Lasso but falls short, resulting in a disjointed dramedy with a flawed premise that neither effectively handles grief nor comedy. It singles out the tonal confusion and lack of believable reactions to the therapist's boundary-breaking behavior. [Read](https://www.theringer.com/2023/01/30/tv/shrinking-apple-tv-plus-series-review) - **NME** (25/100, inferred): The critic finds the series clichéd and overly saccharine, calling it absolute guff that will give viewers a headache despite its warm-hearted comedy intentions. Harrison Ford's funny performance provides the main relief amid the sitcom self-awareness and quick resolutions. [Read](https://www.nme.com/reviews/tv-reviews/shrinking-review-harrison-ford-3387425) ## Details - **Created by:** Brett Goldstein, Jason Segel, Bill Lawrence - **Creator:** Brett Goldstein, Jason Segel, Bill Lawrence - **Director:** Randall Keenan Winston, James Ponsoldt, Zach Braff, Anu Valia, Ry Russo-Young, Jamie Babbit, Rebecca Asher, Bill Lawrence - **Writer:** Brett Goldstein, Neil Goldman, Sofi Selig, Bill Posley, Bill Lawrence, Brian Gallivan, Rachna Fruchbom, Zack Bornstein, CJ Hoke, Annie Mebane, Ashley Nicole Black, Sasha Garron, Jason Segel, Wally Baram, Kyra Brown, Emily R. Wilson - **Cinematography:** John Brawley, Jim Frohna - **Editor:** James Renfroe, Sarah Lucky, Missy Hernandez, Peggy Tachdjian, Katie Abel - **Music:** Tom Howe - **Production design:** Cabot McMullen - **Costume design:** Allyson B. Fanger - **Producer:** Kip Kroeger - **Cast:** Jason Segel as Jimmy; Harrison Ford as Dr. Paul Rhodes; Jessica Williams as Gaby; Luke Tennie as Sean; Michael Urie as Brian; Lukita Maxwell as Alice; Christa Miller as Liz; Ted McGinley as Derek - **Certificate (MPA):** TV-MA - **Release (the US):** 26 January 2023 - **Genres:** Drama, Comedy - **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjHfjQDWl1A ## Where to watch in the US - Apple TV: streaming, uhd - Amazon Prime Video: add-on, uhd - The Roku Channel: add-on, hd *Checked 2026-09-17.* Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HU, ID, IE, IL, IN, IT, JP, KR, LT, MX, MY, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PH, PL, PT, SE, SG, TH, UA, US, VN, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country. ## If you liked this - *In Treatment* (2008): For sessions that take professional boundaries and the effort of listening seriously. - *Please Like Me* (2013): An awkward, funny circle of friends whose mental health troubles resist tidy solutions. - *Another Year* (2010), Fi1m 87: Warm company, uncomfortable silences and a sharper eye for the limits of kindness. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/another-year.md) - *Dear Ex* (2018): Grief, family friction and comedy, without asking everyone to become agreeable company. - *Ordinary People* (1980), Fi1m 81: A sterner family drama that gives grief and therapy room to be difficult. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/ordinary-people.md) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/tv/shrinking