--- title: "The End of the F***ing World: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/tv/the-end-of-the-f-ing-world/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/tv/the-end-of-the-f-ing-world" critics_score: 82 critics_reviews: 9 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 End of the F***ing World (2017): what the critics said Critics' score 82 from 9 reviews: 9 positive, 0 mixed, 0 negative. Every one of the nine reviews comes down in favour, and the praise gathers in one place: Alex Lawther and Jessica Barden. Critics repeatedly note that the two leads take characters who could have been cartoons and make them people worth caring about, reprehensible and sympathetic at once. Beyond the casting, most reviews credit the series with hiding something tender under its nihilism, and several single out its brevity as a virtue, with the dual voice-over narration also earning mention. The reservations are mild and cluster at the start. IndieWire and Vulture both find the opening episodes derivative and too determined to be dark, and both say the series improves as it goes. The spread is narrow, running from roughly 70 to 90, with no mixed or negative notices at all. Variety sits at the lower end while still naming it a Critic’s Pick, which suggests the doubts are about degree rather than direction. ## Radio Times — Ben Allen Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 9 January 2018. The critic calls the series a brilliant, concise and emotionally charged bit of British dramedy, worthy of comparison to Fleabag for its blend of disturbing and hilarious moments. They single out the lead performances and dry rapport between the two young actors as a highlight. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/comedy/the-end-of-the-fing-world-channel-4-review/) ## The Guardian Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 25 October 2017. The adaptation is fabulous as a dark comedy about teen nihilists that remains convincing despite its extreme tone. The standout element is the lead performances by Alex Lawther and Jessica Barden, which bring the cartoonish characters to vivid life. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/oct/25/the-end-of-the-fing-world-review-a-binge-worthy-comedy-about-teen-nihilists-on-the-run) ## IndieWire — Ben Travers Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 5 January 2018. After a challenging start that feels overly derivative, the series rewards viewers with its uncensored look at young love and unexpected turns. The lead performances and emotional depth make it gripping and surprising overall. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/end-of-the-fucking-world-review-netflix-ending-spoilers-1201913802/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Daniel Fienberg Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 4 January 2018. The review praises the series as a twisted, funny anti-romance that is a contained gem with spectacular lead performances. The critic singles out the strong chemistry between the two young actors and the grounded tone amid the outlandish elements. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/end-fing-world-review-1071498/) ## Vulture — Jen Chaney Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 5 January 2018. The series starts out overly derivative and determined to be dark, but improves as it reveals the sensitivity behind the hardened façades of its teen protagonists. It offers glimmers of loveliness amid the gloom and is worth watching for its narrative turns and brevity. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2018/01/the-end-of-the-f-ing-world-netflix-review.html) ## Variety — Sonia Saraiya Rating Critic's Pick. 5 January 2018. The review describes the series as a dark comedy that gets under the skin with sharp intensity while delivering an unlikely love story between two damaged teens. The critic singles out the lead performances for their ability to make the characters both reprehensible and sympathetic. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2018/tv/reviews/the-end-of-the-fing-world-netflix-alex-lawther-tv-review-1202654103/) ## Den of Geek — Louisa Mellor Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 5 January 2018. The show’s aggressive nihilism conceals a tender and romantic centre, delivering a darkly comic story with real emotional weight through outstanding lead performances and meticulous handling of its themes. It is an outstanding, acerbic, tender-hearted and fearless calling card for fresh talent. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/the-end-of-the-fing-world-review/) ## Digital Spy — Ian Sandwell Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 5 January 2018. The series succeeds thanks to outstanding lead performances that carry emotional weight in a dysfunctional love story, along with its arresting visual style, pitch-black humour, and refusal to pull punches. It is f**king brilliant and deserves a big audience. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a846634/the-end-of-the-fucking-world-netflix-review/) ## The Ringer — Alison Herman Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 9 January 2018. The critic praises the show's blend of romance and moral ambiguity in a misanthropic love story between two troubled teens. They highlight the excellent performances and the effective use of dual voice-over narration that reveals the characters' inner lives. [Read the review](https://www.theringer.com/2018/01/09/tv/the-end-of-the-f-ing-world-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-end-of-the-f-ing-world.md