--- title: "Vikings: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/tv/vikings/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/tv/vikings" critics_score: 71 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." --- # Vikings (2013): what the critics said Critics' score 71 from 7 reviews: 5 positive, 2 mixed, 0 negative. Most critics find Vikings an engaging historical action series, with praise clustering around its bloody battles, Irish landscapes and production values. The combination of raiding, intrigue and character development gives the drama enough momentum to carry its rougher passages. Several reviews find that it becomes more assured as it progresses, while the performances help give the violence some human weight. Historical accuracy is not its priority, but that rarely prevents the critics from enjoying it. Reservations centre on clumsy early storytelling, blunt dialogue and a tendency towards simplistic drama. The spread runs from warm approval to qualified appreciation, with no outright rejection. The Independent is the least persuaded, finding little subtlety but praising Travis Fimmel, the costumes and the theme tune. The Guardian finds more to consider beneath the fighting, particularly in the treatment of social customs, morality, knowledge and power. ## The Hollywood Reporter — Tim Goodman Fi1m's normalised score 78/100 (inferred from the text). 28 February 2013. The critic calls it a winning combination of action and historical drama that should attract a robust audience, praising the lush production values and how the series grows in entertainment value and interest as it progresses. Singles out the lush Irish countryside and constant battles for praise while noting some early clumsiness. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/vikings-tv-review-424805/) ## The AV Club — Emily St. James Rating B. 4 March 2013. The series delivers on its title with Vikings raiding and action sequences, plus some compelling characters. It stands as a strong third in the televised epic genre behind Game of Thrones and Spartacus, proving confident and entertaining despite not being the best show on TV. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/vikings-rites-of-passage-1798175994) ## Empire — William Thomas Fi1m's normalised score 76/100 (inferred from the text). 11 February 2014. The critic finds History's first scripted drama far from staid, charting Ragnar Lothbrok's rise in a tale of scheming, slaughter and pillaging that prioritizes drama over historical accuracy. Singles out the carnage and plaited beards. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/tv/reviews/vikings-season-1-review/) ## The Guardian Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 9 August 2013. The critic finds Vikings engaging and reasonably astute despite liberties taken with historical fact and hairstyles. It examines provocative ideas about social structures, customs, morality and the advancement of knowledge and power. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/culture/australia-culture-blog/2013/aug/09/vikings-sbs-tv-review) ## Variety — Brian Lowry Fi1m's normalised score 69/100 (inferred from the text). 27 February 2013. The critic describes the series as an unrelenting cheese-fest and simpleminded Game of Thrones but finds it achieves a level of atmosphere and momentum that works as a mild diversion, with plot and pacing improving. Singles out the bloody battles and moody exercise for praise while noting it is not high art and employs a cheat to keep the lead sympathetic. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2013/tv/reviews/tv-review-vikings-820763/) ## The Independent Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 2 March 2014. The review notes that the series is as unsubtle as a thwack with Thor's hammer, particularly in its dialogue, but praises qualities including the Irish countryside, theme tune, costumes and Travis Fimmel's performance while critiquing the lack of subtlety and raunch. [Read the review](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/vikings-tv-review-as-unsubtle-as-a-thwack-over-the-head-with-thor-s-hammer-9163629.html) ## Collider — Allison Keene Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 3 March 2013. The critic finds the pilot engaging despite some clunkiness, praising the brutal yet soulful storytelling, strong performances, and high production values that bring Viking culture to life. The series is ultimately recommended as fun and worth watching for its mix of action, intrigue, and character development. [Read the review](https://collider.com/vikings-pilot-recap-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/vikings.md