--- title: "Wanderlust: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/tv/wanderlust/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/tv/wanderlust" critics_score: 73 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." --- # Wanderlust (2018): what the critics said Critics' score 73 from 9 reviews: 7 positive, 2 mixed, 0 negative. Most critics respond warmly to Wanderlust’s frank, intimate treatment of sex, marriage and emotional connection. Praise centres on Toni Collette, whose nuanced performance gives the relationship drama much of its force, with Steven Mackintosh also recognised for his humour and emotional range. The reviews favour the programme’s mature approach to open marriage and its willingness to let awkward, painful conversations be funny. Several find the writing humane and refreshingly natural about subjects that invite contrivance. The reservations concern pace and credibility rather than the central performances. Vulture finds some plotlines hard to believe and the children’s romantic subplots predictable. Paste admires the conversations but finds that the pacing and closing emotions sometimes falter. The Guardian is more reserved, finding the drama affected and too slow despite its strong leads. The spread runs from enthusiastic approval to qualified interest, with no outright negative assessment among these nine reviews. ## The AV Club — Gwen Ihnat Rating A-. 19 October 2018. The review calls the series a must-watch and praises its emotionally rich exploration of love and connection. It singles out Toni Collette’s nuanced performance, especially her devastating work in the therapy-session episode. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/toni-collette-s-stirring-emotional-journey-makes-wander-1829860280) ## IndieWire — Ben Travers Rating B+. 19 October 2018. The critic gives the series a positive review, praising its emotionally mature treatment of open marriage and relationships. Toni Collette’s assured, nuanced performance is singled out as the show’s defining strength. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/shows/wanderlust-netflix-review-toni-collette-bbc-1202013432/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Tim Goodman Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 17 October 2018. The critic finds the series a fresh and rewarding take on a marriage under strain. They praise Toni Collette and Steven Mackintosh for bringing humor and emotional nuance to their characters. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/wanderlust-review-1152599/) ## Radio Times — Eleanor Bley Griffiths Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 4 September 2018. Bley Griffiths presents the drama as a refreshing, intimate take on sex and relationships. She singles out its approach to intimacy as the central strength. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/wanderlust-review-toni-collette-bbc-drama-sex-relationships/) ## Vulture — Jen Chaney Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 18 October 2018. Chaney finds the series worth watching, though some plotlines strain believability and the children’s romantic subplots feel predictable. She singles out Toni Collette’s luminous, increasingly vulnerable performance as the show’s central strength. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2018/10/wanderlust-netflix-review.html) ## The Independent — Sean O'Grady Rating 3/5. 11 September 2018. O'Grady finds this episode less self-indulgent and more ethically engaging than the previous one. He praises its direction and production, especially the unusual camera angles and intercutting. [Read the review](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/wanderlust-episode-2-bbc1-review-toni-collette-steve-mackintosh-nick-payne-a8532501.html) ## The Guardian — Sam Wollaston Fi1m's normalised score 55/100 (inferred from the text). 4 September 2018. Wollaston finds the series affected and too slow, though still interesting. He praises the stellar performances of Toni Collette and Steven Mackintosh. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/sep/04/wanderlust-review-the-steamiest-show-on-tv-lets-just-say-there-are-some-exciting-new-possibilities) ## Paste — Jacob Oller Rating 8.5/10. 18 October 2018. Oller finds the series sharp, intimate, and often amusing, though its closing emotions and pacing sometimes falter. He particularly praises Toni Collette’s performance and the show’s frank, naturally written conversations about sex and relationships. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/tv/wanderlust/wanderlust-toni-collette-netflix-girls-catastrophe) ## Den of Geek — Louisa Mellor Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 4 September 2018. Mellor finds the opening episode poignant, often painful, and funny in its treatment of modern love. She praises the witty, humane script and the affecting portrayal of relationship troubles beneath the sexual comedy. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/wanderlust-episode-1-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/wanderlust.md