--- title: "Shrinking: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/tv/shrinking/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/tv/shrinking" critics_score: 56 critics_reviews: 16 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): what the critics said Critics' score 56 from 16 reviews: 7 positive, 3 mixed, 6 negative. 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. ## Radio Times — James Hibbs Rating 4/5. 23 January 2023. 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 the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/comedy/shrinking-apple-review/) ## Empire — John Nugent Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 23 January 2023. 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 the review](https://www.empireonline.com/tv/reviews/shrinking/) ## IndieWire — Ben Travers Rating B-. 23 January 2023. 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 the review](https://www.indiewire.com/2023/01/shrinking-review-apple-tv-plus-harrison-ford-ted-lasso-1234801517/) ## The AV Club — Manuel Betancourt Rating C+. 27 January 2023. 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 the review](https://www.avclub.com/shrinking-review-season-1-episodes-1-and-2-premiere-1850027110) ## Vulture Fi1m's normalised score 55/100 (inferred from the text). 27 January 2023. 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 the review](https://www.vulture.com/article/review-shrinking-apple-tv-streaming-series-jason-segel-harrison-ford.html) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Angie Han Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 26 January 2023. 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 the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/shrinking-review-harrison-ford-jason-segel-apple-tv-1235307287/) ## The Telegraph Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 23 January 2023. 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 the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2023/01/23/shrinking-review-sentimental-psych-com-makes-ted-lasso-look/) ## Variety — Daniel D'Addario Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 23 January 2023. 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 the review](https://variety.com/2023/tv/reviews/shrinking-review-harrison-ford-jason-segel-drama-1235491882/) ## The i Paper — Rachael Sigee Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 27 January 2023. 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 the review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/television/shrinking-apple-tv-review-irritating-schmaltz-like-ted-lasso-2109476) ## Evening Standard — Martin Robinson Fi1m's normalised score 20/100 (inferred from the text). 23 January 2023. 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 the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/tvfilm/shrinking-apple-tv-plus-review-harrison-ford-jason-segel-therapist-b1051974.html) ## Collider — Nate Richard Rating A-. 23 January 2023. 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 the review](https://collider.com/shrinking-apple-tv-review/) ## Paste — Akos Peterbencze Rating 8.5. 23 January 2023. 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 the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/tv/shrinking/shrinking-review) ## Consequence Rating B+. 26 January 2023. 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 the review](https://consequence.net/2023/01/shrinking-review-jason-segel-harrison-ford/) ## /Film — Josh Spiegel Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 23 January 2023. 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 the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/1175312/shrinking-review-a-thorny-but-charming-dramedy-with-depth/) ## The Ringer — Alison Herman Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 30 January 2023. 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 the review](https://www.theringer.com/2023/01/30/tv/shrinking-apple-tv-plus-series-review) ## NME Fi1m's normalised score 25/100 (inferred from the text). 26 January 2023. 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 the review](https://www.nme.com/reviews/tv-reviews/shrinking-review-harrison-ford-3387425) --- © 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/shrinking.md