--- title: "The Great: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/tv/the-great/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/tv/the-great" critics_score: 72 critics_reviews: 13 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 Great (2020): what the critics said Critics' score 72 from 13 reviews: 10 positive, 1 mixed, 2 negative. ## The i Paper — Emily Baker Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 17 June 2020. The series is a rollicking, filthy, modernised period romp that revels in anachronisms, swearing and sex while delivering escapism. The standout element is the excellent acting, particularly Elle Fanning's outstanding portrayal of Catherine and Nicholas Hoult's fun turn as Peter. [Read the review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/television/the-great-review-channel-4-catherine-the-great-elle-fanning-nicholas-hoult-448412) ## The AV Club — Danette Chavez Rating B+. 15 May 2020. The caustically funny, ahistorical romp succeeds through strong performances from Fanning and Hoult and its blend of wit, intrigue, and anachronisms. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/hulus-the-great-is-a-gorgeously-delirious-mashup-of-his-1843480367) ## The Guardian — Lucy Mangan Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 18 June 2020. The critic calls it an imperious romp that prefers comedy and satire over historical accuracy, praising the pitch-perfect cast and script while noting it is slightly overlong with some gratuitous violence. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/jun/18/the-great-review-this-imperious-catherine-romp-reaches-for-the-tsars-elle-fanning) ## Vulture Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 13 May 2020. The series is very good, managing a rich dissonance between empathy for its leads and recognition of their cruelty, though it is too long. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2020/05/the-great-hulu-review.html) ## Variety — Caroline Framke Rating Critic's Pick. 8 May 2020. The show straddles period drama and slapstick comedy with ease, delivering scathingly funny insults and an irreverent tone. Elle Fanning is remarkable as Catherine evolves into a leader, with strong support from Nicholas Hoult as the impulsive Peter. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2020/tv/reviews/the-great-hulu-review-elle-fanning-nicholas-hoult-1234597915/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Inkoo Kang Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 1 May 2020. It's an arch, hyper-verbose girl-power dramedy with deliberate anachronisms that recalls The Favourite but never quite coheres despite strong performances. Stellar work from Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult stands out in this tart but uneven confection. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/great-review-1292560/) ## IndieWire — Kristen Lopez Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 1 May 2020. The series feels like a lesser imitation of The Favourite, with Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult carrying much of the weight despite the derivative tone. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/the-great-review-1202223794/) ## Paste — Allison Keene Rating 9.8/10. 15 May 2020. The critic calls it a wonderfully bombastic and thrilling ride with crisp writing, sumptuous production, and acid humor that balances horror and hope in Catherine's journey. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/tv/the-great/the-great-review) ## Collider — Liz Shannon Miller Rating A-. 15 May 2020. The critic praises the series as beautifully made and complex with standout performances from Fanning and Hoult, highlighting its unflinching tone and surprising depth despite some lighter moments. [Read the review](https://collider.com/the-great-review-hulu-elle-fanning-nicholas-hoult/) ## Den of Geek — Delia Harrington Rating 4/5. 1 May 2020. Elle Fanning anchors a deceptively biting romp that is frothy fun with a deadly dark side, tracking Catherine's transformation with style and sass. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/the-great-review/) ## The Ringer — Alison Herman Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 15 May 2020. The series is a capable, entertaining anachronistic comedy in the vein of The Favourite, buoyed by strong lead performances. It occasionally struggles to sustain its tone and pacing across a full season. [Read the review](https://www.theringer.com/2020/05/15/tv/the-great-hulu-review-elle-fanning-nicholas-hoult-favourite) ## /Film — Hoai-Tran Bui Rating ***. 1 May 2020. The critic finds the series an enjoyable historical comedy with sharp satire and strong performances, but notes it lacks the bite of The Favourite and struggles with tonal balance and pacing in the middle episodes. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/573896/the-great-review/) ## Consequence Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 13 May 2020. The critic notes the series delivers lacerating humor and strong performances but suffers from an identity crisis, recycled elements from The Favourite, and inconsistent tone that prevents it from fully succeeding. [Read the review](https://consequence.net/2020/05/tv-review-the-great/) --- © 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-great.md