--- title: "The Terror: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/tv/the-terror/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/tv/the-terror" critics_score: 79 critics_reviews: 8 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 Terror (2018): what the critics said Critics' score 79 from 8 reviews: 8 positive, 0 mixed, 0 negative. The reviews are positive without exception, and most critics land in the same place: this is a handsome, well-acted, slow-burning horror that earns its dread. The praise clusters on atmosphere first, the sense of Arctic isolation and the steady accumulation of cold, hunger and men turning on one another, and on the cast second. Jared Harris is named more than anyone, with Ciarán Hinds and Tobias Menzies close behind. Several critics also single out the production design, which they find convincing as history and unsettling as horror. The reservations are mild and do not cluster. The Telegraph finds the supernatural element unnecessary. Vulture thinks ten hours is too long. The Guardian wants more claustrophobia from the ice and notes uneven pacing, while Variety calls it fine as far as it goes, the coolest note here. The spread is narrow, from good to outstanding, with Collider at the top declaring it one of the scariest series in years. ## IndieWire — Ben Travers Rating A-. 26 March 2018. The critic praises the limited series for beautifully capturing every form of fear in one bone-chilling tale based on a true story. It explores what surfaces in men facing the ultimate test through historical fiction blending real and unimaginable horrors. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/2018/03/amc-the-terror-review-true-story-scary-good-1201943813/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — David Rooney Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 22 February 2018. Festival review. The series blends historical adventure, survival saga, psychological thriller and creature horror with dramatic robustness and commanding acting. The production design, acting (especially from Harris, Hinds and Menzies) and confident storytelling stand out. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/terror-tv-review-berlin-2018-1087339/) ## The Telegraph — Anita Singh Rating 4/5. 3 March 2021. The critic finds it a chilling tale that tells the story well with a fine cast, praising the atmosphere and unease, though noting the supernatural element is unnecessary. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2021/03/03/terror-review-chilling-tale-monsters-victorian-vainglory/) ## Variety — Maureen Ryan Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 22 March 2018. The series is a handsome and well-acted period drama about polar explorers that is fine as far as it goes. It looks terrific with a moody sense of Arctic isolation and striking visuals, and gives Jared Harris a strong starring role. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2018/tv/reviews/terror-amc-jared-harris-tobias-menzies-ciaran-hinds-ships-arctic-1202733600/) ## Vulture — Matt Zoller Seitz Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 23 March 2018. The critic describes the series as a horrifying 19th-century nightmare that systematically visualizes every possible disaster during an Arctic voyage. While praising the detailed misery and atmospheric filmmaking, they note it may be too long at ten hours. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2018/03/the-terror-amc-review.html) ## The Guardian Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 26 March 2018. The critic praises the series as a promising small-screen horror with strong performances from Ciarán Hinds and Jared Harris, highlighting the intrigue and power dynamics, while noting some issues with pacing and the lack of claustrophobic tension in the icy setting. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/mar/26/the-terror-review-menacing-arctic-horror-series-gives-a-lasting-chill) ## The Times — Camilla Long Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 7 March 2021. The critic is captivated by the grimness and Victorian drama, loving the shocking elements and performances, particularly Jared Harris. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/tv-reviews-the-terror-max-clifford-the-fall-of-a-tabloid-king-deutschland-89-ben-fogle-inside-chernobyl-0vvhtzxsv) ## Collider — Haleigh Foutch Rating ★★★★★. 26 March 2018. The critic finds The Terror one of the scariest TV shows in years, praising its immersive production values, cast performances, and slow-building dread from natural, human, and supernatural horrors. [Read the review](https://collider.com/the-terror-tv-series-review-amc/) --- © 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-terror.md