--- title: "Stuart Fails to Save the Universe: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/tv/stuart-fails-to-save-the-universe/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/tv/stuart-fails-to-save-the-universe" critics_score: 61 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." --- # Stuart Fails to Save the Universe (2026): what the critics said Critics' score 61 from 7 reviews: 5 positive, 1 mixed, 1 negative. Most critics like it, with reservations. The praise clusters on the premise: a multiverse format that lets secondary Big Bang Theory characters lead their own adventure and gives the writers room for inventive scenarios, detailed alternate dimensions and meta jokes about the parent show. Several reviews single out the world-building and the comic chemistry of the central cast, and the general feeling is that it is bolder and nerdier than anyone expected from a spin-off. The reservations are almost all about the jokes. Even admirers find the comedy uneven and only sporadically funny, and Collider notes the female characters are underserved and the emotional depth is limited. The spread is wide. The Telegraph finds the premise clever but the result irritating, and Vulture dissents outright, calling it painful, badly plotted and without stakes, an interesting idea let down by its execution. Five positive verdicts against one mixed and one negative, but the negative one is emphatic. ## Variety — Alison Herman Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 22 July 2026. The critic praises the series as a playful and creative romp that innovatively uses a multiverse premise, distinguishing it from other Big Bang spinoffs. They highlight the inventive scenarios across episodes and the strong comic chemistry among the central cast. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2026/tv/reviews/stuart-fails-to-save-the-universe-review-big-bang-spinoff-1236816914/) ## The AV Club — Noel Murray Rating B. 22 July 2026. The critic finds the series wilder and nerdier but uneven and only sporadically funny, though it holds onto the franchise's appeal with some emotional core and playfulness. Praises the clever world-building and self-lacerating humor but notes the comedy often falls flat. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/stuart-fails-to-save-the-universe-review-hbo-max-big-bang-theory-spin-off) ## The Telegraph Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 24 July 2026. The critic finds the ambitious Big Bang Theory spin-off clever in its multiverse premise and nerd humour but ultimately irritating and rarely laugh-out-loud funny. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2026/07/22/stuart-fails-to-save-the-universe-hbo-max-review/) ## Vulture Fi1m's normalised score 10/100 (inferred from the text). 23 July 2026. The critic finds the series painful and not funny, a grim death march through overworn jokes and poor plotting, with no stakes or compelling characters. Criticizes the execution despite an interesting premise on paper. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/article/stuart-fails-to-save-the-universe-big-bang-theory-spinoff-series-review.html) ## Digital Spy — Claire Crick Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 24 July 2026. The critic finds the series well worth the wait and praises its genius format, special treats for fans, and the way it expands the Big Bang universe with alternate versions of characters. Highlights the engaging multiverse adventures and Easter eggs. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a73241736/big-bang-theory-spinoff-stuart-fails-to-save-universe-stream-now/) ## NME — James Mottram Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 22 July 2026. The review praises the series as a refreshing, dimension-hopping romp through nerd culture that turns secondary Big Bang Theory characters into leads of their own cosmic adventure. It singles out the inventive sci-fi twists, multiverse riffs and meta elements for making the show feel like something the original characters would dream up. [Read the review](https://www.nme.com/reviews/tv-reviews/stuart-fails-to-save-the-universe-review-big-bang-theory-spin-off-3958491) ## Collider — Greer Riddell Rating 7/10. 22 July 2026. The review finds the series executed much more strongly than expected, calling it charming and mind-bending while giving overlooked characters their own adventure. It singles out the impressive sci-fi worldbuilding, detailed dimensions and meta elements for praise, while noting some limitations for female characters and emotional depth. [Read the review](https://collider.com/stuart-fails-to-save-the-universe-review-hbo-max/) --- © 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/stuart-fails-to-save-the-universe.md