--- title: "Snowpiercer: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/tv/snowpiercer-2020/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/tv/snowpiercer-2020" critics_score: 59 critics_reviews: 14 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." --- # Snowpiercer (2020): what the critics said Critics' score 59 from 14 reviews: 5 positive, 6 mixed, 3 negative. ## The Guardian Fi1m's normalised score 77/100 (inferred from the text). 25 May 2020. The critic finds the series a highly watchable piece of trashy comfort viewing, turning the premise into a steampunk police procedural on a giant train. It is praised for delivering diverting episodic storytelling suited to lockdown viewing despite bypassing the deeper allegory of its sources. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/may/25/snowpiercer-review-steampunk-law-order-is-a-trashy-treat) ## Empire — James Dyer Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 25 May 2020. The TV adaptation lacks the propulsion and punch of the film but delivers an enjoyable, absorbing sci-fi procedural with good supporting characters and expanded mythology. It is recommended as lockdown entertainment despite being po-faced. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/tv/reviews/snowpiercer-season-1/) ## The i Paper — Barbara Speed Rating 3/5. 25 May 2020. The series is a schlocky, defanged reboot of the source material that turns the class allegory into a murder mystery. Strong set design and Jennifer Connelly's icy performance stand out as highlights. [Read the review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/snowpiercer-netflix-review-bong-joon-ho-schlocky-defanged-reboot-original-430997) ## Vulture Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 15 May 2020. The series starts out shaky and only becomes compelling midway through, averaging out to halfway decent rather than great. It fails to fully tap into the zeitgeist despite its themes, though relatable elements and strong performances, particularly Jennifer Connelly's, provide some appeal. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2020/05/snowpiercer-tv-series-review.html) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Daniel Fienberg Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 12 May 2020. TNT’s adaptation is a tonally uneven, narratively confusing mess with half-developed characters and incomplete satire, though it is not awful. Solid production values, some strong performances, and moments of giddy lunacy help it settle into a watchable rhythm after early episodes. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/snowpiercer-review-1294195/) ## The Times — Liam Fay Fi1m's normalised score 47/100 (inferred from the text). 7 June 2020. The critic describes the series as a floridly bonkers and clumsily assembled saga that yokes together mismatched genres with erratic tone. It is faulted for a futile attempt to make the cartoonish premise feel gritty, resulting in a long bumpy ride with only modest reward. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/tv-review-snowpiercer-david-brophys-unsung-heroes-letters-from-lockdown-the-peoples-news-m0j28lsqk) ## Radio Times Rating 2/5. 18 May 2020. The Netflix series fails to live up to Bong Joon-ho’s 2013 film, lacking its gleefully bonkers energy and feeling unnatural in dialogue and execution. Strong set design and themes of inequality are noted but do not compensate. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/snowpiercer-review-netflix/) ## Variety Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 11 May 2020. The series emphasizes its weird premise but suffers from dull dialogue, backstories, and a florid, melodramatic tone that undercuts its neo-noir ambitions. It glides too easily without the thrill or bite of the source material. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2020/tv/reviews/snowpiercer-show-review-1234601952/) ## Den of Geek — Michael Ahr Rating 4.5/5. 10 May 2020. The adaptation succeeds as a compelling drama exploring class conflicts, survival, and conspiracies with top-notch performances from Daveed Diggs and Jennifer Connelly. Varied action sequences and shifting focuses on mysteries and relationships keep viewers engaged throughout the season. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/snowpiercer-review-spoiler-free/) ## Paste — Jim Vorel Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 13 July 2020. The series exceeded expectations as one of 2020's most captivating dramas by using its runtime to expand the mythology and moral complexities rather than trying to replicate the film. It singles out the shift in focus toward Jennifer Connelly's Melanie Cavill as a key strength in character building. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/tv/snowpiercer/snowpiercer-season-one-review-explained-season-2) ## NME — Beth Webb Fi1m's normalised score 76/100 (inferred from the text). 18 May 2020. The series turns the story into a noirish detective drama that expands the train's world and class dynamics across its episodes. It singles out Jennifer Connelly's compelling performance as Melanie and Daveed Diggs' lead role for particular praise while noting some inconsistency in episode quality. [Read the review](https://www.nme.com/reviews/snowpiercer-review-netflix-tv-2671119) ## Consequence Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 15 May 2020. The series keeps an addictive first season moving with its murder-mystery device and deep exploration of the train's society. It singles out the strong performances by Jennifer Connelly and Daveed Diggs for keeping viewers engaged despite some simplifications and pacing shifts. [Read the review](https://consequence.net/2020/05/tv-review-snowpiercer/) ## Collider — Allie Gemmill Rating C. 17 May 2020. The adaptation struggles to find momentum in its early episodes and feels like a frustrating exercise compared to the original film. It praises the strong performances from Jennifer Connelly, Daveed Diggs, and Mickey Sumner as bright spots amid the issues. [Read the review](https://collider.com/snowpiercer-tnt-tv-show-review/) ## The Ringer — Miles Surrey Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 15 May 2020. The TNT series is a mediocre, unmemorable basic-cable drama that fails to capture the eccentric energy or visual flair of Bong Joon-ho’s original film. The reviewer singles out its conventional murder-mystery setup and lack of the source material’s bleak humor as key shortcomings. [Read the review](https://www.theringer.com/2020/05/15/tv/snowpiercer-tnt-bong-joon-ho-parasite) --- © 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/snowpiercer-2020.md