--- title: "The Deuce: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/tv/the-deuce/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/tv/the-deuce" critics_score: 83 critics_reviews: 12 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." --- # The Deuce (2017): what the critics said Critics' score 83 from 12 reviews: 12 positive, 0 mixed, 0 negative. The reviews are uniformly positive about The Deuce, with praise centred on its convincing recreation of 1970s New York and the humanity of its large ensemble. Critics repeatedly pick out the period detail, vivid street life and attention to people working within the sex trade. Maggie Gyllenhaal’s performance as Candy draws particular approval, while the shifting relationships between characters give the social observation emotional force. Most critics find the treatment of power and exploitation substantial without sacrificing absorbing drama. The differences are chiefly in enthusiasm rather than verdict, with no negative reviews in this selection. The Guardian finds the density occasionally bewildering and notes the discomfort of its portrayal of power and sexual violence. The Hollywood Reporter’s reservation is that the first season could use more episodes. The more restrained notices still value the authenticity and performances, so there is little evidence of a fundamental split. ## The Telegraph Rating 5/5. 27 September 2017. The review hails the series as the most potent and provocative drama of the year, praising its gritty, dense portrait of the early Seventies New York sex trade. It singles out Maggie Gyllenhaal’s performance as Eileen/Candy for its feminist edge and James Franco’s dual role. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/0/deuce-potent-provocative-drama-year-review/) ## IndieWire — Ben Travers Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 4 September 2017. The series is an instantly immersive experience that delves into 1971 New York City with an eye for overlooked denizens. It stands as David Simon’s most absorbing series since The Wire. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/shows/the-deuce-review-james-franco-hbo-porn-1201872317/) ## The Guardian — Lucy Mangan Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 27 September 2017. The critic finds the series an extraordinary recreation of 1970s Times Square that is dirty, real and brilliantly alive despite being intense and bewildering at times. She singles out the vivid, high-definition characters and their intersecting stories for praise while noting the uncomfortable portrayal of power and sexual violence. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/sep/27/the-deuce-review-david-simons-extraordinary-recreation-of-the-porn-industry-in-70s-new-york) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Daniel Fienberg Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 25 August 2017. The review describes it as a substantive, provocative, and entertaining sociological drama with a tremendous ensemble cast and strong attention to power dynamics and exploitation. The critic singles out the vivid, grimy period texture and memorable characters as standout features while noting the first season could benefit from more episodes. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/deuce-review-1032504/) ## The i Paper — Veronica Vera Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 3 October 2017. The reviewer finds the series highly authentic and true to the era, praising the producers' extensive research and attention to period detail in recreating 1970s Times Square. She singles out the accurate portrayal of characters, relationships, and the gritty environment as particularly impressive. [Read the review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/television/the-deuce-reviewed-former-porn-star-93296) ## Variety — Sonia Saraiya Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 31 August 2017. The critic calls it a worthy heir to The Wire, praising its immersive, kaleidoscopic look at the seedy underbelly of 1971 New York with exceptional period atmosphere and performances. She singles out the complex, fluid relationships between pimps and prostitutes as the show's strongest and most gutting element. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2017/tv/uncategorized/deuce-review-hbo-james-franco-maggie-gyllenhaal-david-simon-1202544105/) ## Vulture Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 5 September 2017. The Deuce offers a look at the ’70s entirely void of glowing nostalgia, depicting sex workers and pornographers with understated frankness. It achieves a balance of coolheaded representation and you-are-there immediacy at its best. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2017/09/the-deuce-tv-review.html) ## Paste — Matt Brennan Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 29 September 2017. The piece lauds the careful world-creation and the show's skeptical, tender take on the allure of 'decline' in 1970s America. Maggie Gyllenhaal's performance as Candy is singled out as magnificent. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/tv/the-deuce/the-deuce-70s-set-tv-and-the-allure-of-american-de) ## Collider — Allison Keene Rating ★★★★. 31 August 2017. The critic praises the show's humanity, dialogue, performances, and ability to find depth in characters amid gritty settings. The conversations and vivid capture of the 1970s New York setting are singled out for praise. [Read the review](https://collider.com/the-deuce-review/) ## Den of Geek — Tony Sokol Rating 4/5. 28 August 2017. The pilot promises sordid fun and weaves a tapestry as diverse and smeared as the population of its titular street. It grinds to a rhythm far more inviting than anything seen from Vinyl. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/the-deuce-premiere-review-spoiler-free/) ## /Film — Karen Han Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 18 September 2017. The review highlights the pulpy, romantic tone of 1970s New York and the strong introduction of a large cast of pimps, sex workers, gangsters, and cops. It singles out the promising setup and Maggie Gyllenhaal's central performance for praise. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/553379/the-deuce-review/) ## The Ringer — Jason Concepcion Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 11 September 2017. The critic finds the series a strong, authentic portrayal of 1970s New York that gets the era right and humanizes its characters amid systemic forces. He singles out the city itself as the real star, crediting its vivid recreation as a highlight alongside strong performances. [Read the review](https://www.theringer.com/2017/09/10/tv/the-deuce-new-york-city-review) --- © 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/the-deuce.md