Origin (2018) User Reviews

Origin - Lost meets Invasion of The Body Snatchers and Alien

[ruidanielbarrossss · 7/10 · 18 November 2018]

The good: The production values are excellent. Cinematography is of good quality. The horror atmosphere of the series serves its purpose. There are captivating characters. The pacing rarely bores the viewer. some of the flashback sequences, are good as the best black mirror episodes.

The so-so. The plot is not very original. Some characters are too stupid. Not all flashback sequences are good.

Summing up. It's a good series of horror and science fiction, but it could be so much better. Even so. It's binge worthy

Better than people state

[marc5477 · 8/10 · 2 May 2019]

Most reviews state that it has the undertones of The Thing, Aliens and other shows like Lost. 1st, its not like Lost unless you consider flashback stories a Lost feature. They were not invented by Lost... They had been done before over the years. I am not sure why everyone references Lost when it comes to that particular type of story telling. I can also say that this is not Lost in the way that Lost literally never went anywhere and got less interesting over time. You do get answers in this one and they are fairly satisfying though not particularly mind blowing.

The resemblance to The Thing and Alien are really only surface deep. The show does have a horror/thriller theme but they are light and the series does come into its own by the end. I would also state that this is a more interesting story than either It and Alien because its not just a straight thriller but thats just my personal bias since I prefer mysteries over mindless action. If you just want action and thrills then this probably not the show for you, albeit, they are sewn in every now and then.

I liked it and I am a bit disappointed that it was canceled. Hopefully a studio picks up and continues because the show did hook me in and I want to see what happens next. Give it a go.

The Origin of cancellation!

[cjonesas · 8/10 · 11 May 2021]

A series that you should watch at least 3 times to appreciate and get a real grasp of it.

Good acting, interesting Sci-Fi premise, nice filming and VFX, but lacking some logic, real tension and danger. The flashbacks were great though, especially those involving the Japanese.

It flows well most of the time, while in-between, it splashes erratically like water onto a curved wall.

Near 10 hours of dedication, build-up and polishing, to be cancelled. A real shame.

• Screenplay/story: 8.5
• Development: 8.5
• Realism: 8.5
• Entertainment: 8
• Acting: 8.5
• Filming/cinematography: 8.5
• Visual effects: 8.5
• Music/score: 8.5
• Depth: 7.5
• Logic: 6.5
• Flow: 8
• Suspense/drama: 7.5
• Ending: 7.5.

A shame it didn't make it to a second season!

[malin-svendsen-hofoss · 9/10 · 3 June 2019]

I enjoyed this so much, it was complex but simple enough so you won't get lost in the story. Good character development, good acting, good stories. This is so much better than a lot of the shows out their in this genre, too bad it didn't get a season 2.

The Thing in Space

[xxxNomadicxxx · 7/10 · 16 November 2018]

It reminds me of The Thing (1982) but in space. It's worth the binge watch if you are into horror and sci-fi. It also provide some good back ground stories on the character for development. Definitely hope for another season just to see where it goes.

Worth watching for Sci-FI TV show

[nina-cvetkovska99 · 9/10 · 29 May 2019]

Didn't expect them to keep it interesting till the very end. The acting and performance is better than I expected. There is a good story line and potential for many more season. I'm eager to see what more can come out of this show

A New Beginning..

[JWick23 · 9 March 2021]

One of the first shows I really enjoyed that wasn't animated. I remember watching it a year back and I blazed it right through it , finishing it in a couple of days. It was dark, chilling, and exhilarating. There was no time to breathe, each scene was nerve racking and you were just waiting for something to pop up right in your face. Severely underated and isn't talked about enough. Since most people have some really short reviews I decided to spice things a bit.

A clean slate. To have your pasts erased for a better tommorow. What if I told you instead of waking up in a better tommorow you wake up in hell. Where you wanted to erase your pasts but now are vulnerable to exposing your inner demons to other people.

Very good story with eerie atmosphere and tone but with some minor flaws. It has very good writing and acting. With great subversion tropes and flashback sequences. The characters are probably one of the interesting aspects of this series. They really aren't people you are suppose to be inspired or awed by. I mean if you are told that you could go to a planet 5 light years away and you are like a millionaire or something, most likely scenario is that you aren't going to go. So imagine the types of people that would go if they were given this offer. The characters are a band of misfits that all have some form of tragedy in their past lives but their development was really nice. But what we are suppose to do is to understand them and emphatize for them. The visuals and music were above 90+. The cinematography, choregraphy, and the set designs were all beautiful. The music consisted mainly of space music and a little bit of pop and rock and the sound choices were quiet eerie.

Now let's break down alot of people's arguments. People saying it's cliched is being stupid. I mean in today's day and age when hundreds of shows and movies are being released it's very unlikely for them to be compleletly original and unique and not a little bit "cliched". Other things include stupid decisions and swearing in every sentence and dropping f bombs. Doesn't matter what kind of person you are when a person is scared they do a lot of stupid things and don't think through cuz they are guided by emotions only. And I don't wanna get too deep in psychology and things like that but swearing calms people down and helps make them feel stronger and is more expressive. And the average person swears 80 times per day. Lastly the only character that drops the f bombs often or alot is Logan/Tom Felton.

Overall a very enjoyable series and a 100% a recommened watch! Sad they never released season 2.

Memorable: So so . Rewatchable: Yes

For me it's an honest 6 but 7 cause i like sci-fi

[barry-587-897538 · 7/10 · 15 November 2018]

It's pretty much scifi channel acting quality. As it progresses though into later episodes the actors get better.

Bad acting creates that sentiment to just dislike which is why i dropped a bunch of stars on this.... But it does keep improving.

Filming and cgi is pretty good. Acting not great but improves. Story is not bad actually and also improves and 'becomes' knitted together better over time.

I got to ep 6 for me before i actually became properly engaged like some other awesome shows that hooked me at ep1.

I would recommend this regardless of rating - just watch it - it is different and i do think it is strung together well and improves. I am more anchored to cinematography - for me this is nice and does improved.

Give it a go - it's not a 9+ star but sometimes a 6-7 is someone telling you they have seen better but give it a go.

Even though that is my conclusion ... this show has plagued my mind for some time since watching - and that's something i appreciate.

Good scifi with a horror twist

[cryo-57-32835 · 8/10 · 27 November 2018]

Take alot from other shows, but lucky for us they only take the good parts.

Did u like Event Horizon? Sunshine? Then your are in for a treat here.

The star of this show is Natalia Tena. You will recognize her from Game of Thrones, playing Osha. Yeah, thats the girl who sticks around with Bran alot and protects him.

And also Sen Mitsuji, who is a completely NEW talent. IMDB is clean besides Origin show. I was really impressed by his effort and he really fits perfect into this role. I will keep my eye on him for future movies/series. Very cool performance.

Overall this is a great series, sure it has some plot holes and some weak parts... but all series has that. When i watched the last episode, i felt like I really wanted to continue following these ppl and thats a really good testimonial for it being good. Watched all 10 episodes during 3 evenings, and i honestly had a hard time parting from the show to go sleep :P

I really hope for season 2, on the planet...following the same characters. That would be awesome!

When the backstories are routinely more interesting than the main story...

[Rob_Taylor · 6/10 · 19 November 2018]

You know that feeling you get when you watch a show, or a movie, and realise that the main character is just not that interesting? The feeling when you realise you are more invested in a supporting character, than in the main protagonist?

Well, that is the ever increasing feeling I get when I watch an episode of Origin. I'm currently up to episode 8 and I really couldn't care less about the ongoing "who is the alien?" plot or any of the psychodrama going on aboard the spaceship. For me, the "supporting character" I mentioned above are the back stories to the characters.

Now, this is something of a new one for me. Normally, whenever a show delves into the history of a character, it is usually lackluster and perfunctory. Something done to inform on a particular trait, or flaw in that character. It's gotten out of the way as quickly as possible so that the main story can continue with the viewer having a better understanding of what drives that character.

In Origin, however, each and every back-story shown so far displays vastly superior writing than the turgid scifi-horror plot aboard the ship. Miles better. So much better, in fact, that I wonder if completely different people wrote the back-stories than wrote the main plot.

I have no idea why this is so, but it makes (at least for me) the main plot seem almost redundant. I look forward to every flashback scene and the main story is, if I'm honest, kind of getting in the way.

The problem is that the main story is a kind of fumbling "Thing" ripoff that we've seen many times before. The difference is that the characters in this main plot behave at times in utterly stupid ways. Plot-driven ways, of course. Ways that make the average viewer scowl and shake their heads. Ways that exist purely to drive the hackneyed plot and serve only to prolong an agonisingly slow plot progression towards the reveal of who the alien really is.

Now I can see what they were going for, but making your characters do dumb things just to drive the plot is a recipe for disaster in the long term.

So...good back-stories, weak main plot. But is it enjoyable?

Well, as I mentioned, the back-stories are so much better that they carry the main story, to be honest. If they weren't there, all you'd be left with is an averagely written Thing ripoff that would likely not hold your interest. All of which means that if the show gets another series (I have no idea if this is a one-off show or not) and those back-stories aren't present anymore, it will need to do better with its main story.

All in all, it might gel with you, but don't expect great things on the scifi horror side of things.

SUMMARY: Better backstories than main plot. Dumb people doing often dumb things to drag out an otherwise short plotline. Okay, but not spectacular.

Excellent Production Value Let Down By Lazy Writing

[MarkAylwyn · 4/10 · 23 January 2022]

I can't begin to convey how awesome and how terrible this show is. It has amazing production values, pretty good acting, great direction, a great story and simply terrible writing. The writers continually use pathetic and unbelievable plot devices to move the story forward which are so full of glaring plot holes that one is continually brought out of the story.

I find this show desperately frustrating to watch. I'm invested still, but I just wish the writers wouldn't treat the audience like they're idiots. Once or even twice is forgivable but I find myself rolling my eyes multiple times each episode. I guess I'm more frustrated with myself than anything because I know I'm going to continue watching despite myself.

TBH I would have expected better from Anderson and boy, am I glad there's no Season 2.

Great Sci-fi

[snitbandit · 9/10 · 17 November 2018]

I have a feeling that most of the overly critical reviewers have only watched the two free episodes. I've watched all 10, and are re-watching them, and I love it!

Was entertained throughout, great tension, stories and acting. A really solid sci-fi!

Cliches pile-up, annoying Lana, but still exciting enough to binge with decent set pieces

[louise-saji · 7/10 · 15 November 2018]

Lana is an annoying and frustrating character. Both the role itself and the actress' way of acting. Ugh... Thankfully the rest of female roles make up for her. The crew Rey, the hacker Lee, mysterious Kate, quick thinking Abigail. For the guys, sharp Shun and the medic Henri are good.

Common soap / horror on a space vehicle - sub-par

[bogus-bogus-one · 5/10 · 15 November 2018]

As a huge fan of science fiction, I really wanted to like this BUT... This is not really science fiction, it just so happens that the events take place in space. The stories are tired, the characters are annoying and they do all the stupid things you'd expect in a low budget horror film. I blame the writer(s) who have recycled themes and dialog from poorly conceived soap operas. Writers have also used flashbacks in excess. This is one of my pet peeves with much of the "new media" coming out of NetFlix, Amazon & YourTube. Writers please, stop the soppy, overuse of flashbacks in your stories.

Build up takes time, but worth the wait

[ysxdreadzero · 8/10 · 18 November 2018]

A lot of people are saying this is bad. I watched the whole season in a day and my honest opinion? It deserves a chance. I was weary, thought i was wasting my time watching this, but as i got more involved around episode 5-6, it actually became worth watching. Yeah, it needs work, hopefully season 2 will blow our minds away. But take my advice, just bite down till at least episode 7. You'll realize it was all worth the time invested. I didn't really feel it was worth it at first, but man, was the ending really great. Well done!!

Watch and turn your brain off.

[Metamorphosis89 · 6/10 · 17 November 2018]

The writing is laughable and acting is so bad at times it rivals the room. They checked every cliche character in horror movies in this group. Alot of jumpscares that you can see coming a mile away. The writing is so horrible though. I wrote better stories and dialoges in middle school. the decisions they make, dont make sense and are illogical. Watch this only if there is nothing better to watch. Its ok if you got couple of hours to waste. Or.. dont watch it, i would just a read book or something.

I am surprised to see people give it less than a 9

[cristina-679-5038 · 10/10 · 16 November 2018]

Many here say it's not original and the story was told many times before and I have serious doubts that they saw it, especially the last episode. The visuals are spot on, nothing reveals any kind of CGI, it looks amazing. The actors were picked brilliantly. i think the star is Shun, the actor is new and I feel he is going to be a big star. Nothing is what it seems, you question everything and everyone. It seems like an old idea but once you progress in the story you understand that this is done very originally, especially the last episode.

Reboot the show! Needs a season 2!

[imlfenix · 7/10 · 25 October 2020]

Amazing show. Deserved another season. Was just about to get more interesting! Please someone pick up the show! Netflix!!

Good for a binge watch...

[thilliar-69-694394 · 9/10 · 17 November 2018]

It started really slow for the first couple episodes but once you get a few in it gets better, a complex story needs some time to unfold.

Do not like the video descriptions they really do not reflect the feel and progression of the show, not the shows fault; so come on youtube :(

Very interested if they make a second season.

Good show

[jutstar · 7/10 · 18 April 2020]

Just binge watched it. Big sci fi horror fan so loved it. Comes together nicely at the end. Recommended

why are the people acting like idiots!!!

[xpugur · 4/10 · 15 November 2018]

Characters are acting like complete idiots!! idea/topic of tv serie is seems good but the acting is the worst, is director tell them to play like this?

Actually, really good!

[mattcurtis-50459 · 9/10 · 1 October 2019]

Surprisingly good Sci-Fi series with some great character build up and horror/who-dunnit storyline. Really enjoying the back stories and international theme.

You Tube pulled off a coup with this one! Miles better than any of the recent Netflix offerings. Another Life anyone!?!

Not sure it's worth the YT Premium subscription fee alone but why not free month and cancel, nothing to lose?

You will yell "You idiot!" a lot, while watching this series!

[rsvp321 · 8 February 2019]

I blame bad writers for this being mediocre.

Actors and concept are okay, bad, bad writing.

For instance, every episode, they all wander off alone.

With only one alien amongst them, all they had to do was never be in groups less than three and they would be safe.

Season two? ...I hope so, and I'd watch.

Potential to be better

[atmobilemail · 7/10 · 7 December 2018]

The first thing that struck me was the horrible acting - actually, that's not entirely true. The ''bad acting'' was actually due to ''bad direction''. A group of strangers awoke earlier than expected during their suspended animation en route to a distant planet. They discover that there is an alien on board. Instead of sticking together, they run off alone haphazardly like little spoiled brats whenever they don't get their way. Ouch. Now, the ship is about the size of a small city. The dialogue as well has much to be desired. A scientist, a leading geneticist, sees a digital mapping of the ship with blue lights covering it. He yells violently at a con artist, a girl with a traumatic past, a female astronaut, an ex orderly, and a young girl, ''what are those blue light? What are those blue lights???''. Ouch. The Last episode was a rehash of previous scenes from a different angle in order to explain the evolution of a certain character. Great idea, but it was WAY too long. The last episode summarizes the entire season: great potential, but too many loose ends with useless dialogue.

Annoying dialog

[specific-948-823078 · 3/10 · 17 November 2018]

The writing is really poor, The acting is weak, the cliches are annoying! Rehashed junk.