Servant (2019–2023) User Reviews

You may like it at the beginning - but then you get frustrated

[alby_00 · 7/10 · 18 April 2022]

I'm not going long with this review but I want to confirm what others have written. MOST of the episodes end up with suspense and questions that makes you want to watch the next episode.

When the next episode comes out, nothing happens and everything is crazy boring until the end of the episode where new questions come out and suspence that makes you think that something will happen the next episode. It's a cycle invented to keep you hooked at the show, but slowly killing it. I already expect nothing happening during the whole episode and when approaching the end of the episode, some questions and suspense and then... the next episode aires and nothing happens except for the last minutes of the show. The story is also getting boring and out of 3 seasons I feel like I didn't learn anything more about this story.

This is a frustrating way to make television and I've never seen anything like it in any other tv show before, specially when done in every episode. That's so sad, you want our attention at all costs. What kind of school did the director go to make such a terrible, repetitive, cyclic and frustrating structure?

From intriguing, to "SEEEEANNNNN!"

[nicoleforster-35742 · 7/10 · 13 April 2021]

The first half of the first season, I was absolutely riveted. It plotted out a great set of mysterious little breadcrumbs, had gorgeous direction, good acting, and a fantastic initial plot set-up. Then... I just finished the last episode of season 2, and feel very unsatisfied, to the point of eye-roll frustration. The amount of repetition, for example in Dorothy wailing "SEEEEANNNNN!" from every room of the house every 5 minutes, to the "OK-we-get-it, you're a bon vivant who's into wine" references, to the multiple uses of the line "what have you done!?", to the creepy characters who come and go, but never get to finish a single sentence without the family shouting adolescent arguments over them, to Dorothy taking it up several notches in wide-eyed crazy to the point of absurd, Sean losing his sense of taste and having a rotting hand not raising an eyebrow with anyone, the attic - window shattered, a burnt out dress, exploded Christmas lights, and 100 straw crosses all over the floor, that nobody seems to notice or bother to ask about. I feel like with this much time invested in the show, I should have a lot more answers by now, and a more interesting way ahead for season 3. It's all very good looking, and mysterious, but I'd rather less window dressing and more plot progression. I do like the initial framework, and feel like we've been given enough clues now to understand what Leanne is and where she came from, and how the baby comes and goes, but it took a looooong time to even get that much established.

Recommended

[athanasiosze · 8/10 · 2 April 2023]

FIRST SEASON : 8,2/10

SECOND SEASON : 7/10

THIRD SEASON : 7,6/10

FOURTH SEASON : 7,8/10

I agree with many reviewers, second season is a let-down. Whereas, first season seemed like a great mystery tv series. Not many of those recently. However, i didn't regret for keep watching this, because third season went on the rails again. And fourth season provided a fine/satisfying conclusion. Many people didn't like the ending. I think it was good. Any other outcome would be disappointing.

Very good acting, nice cinematography, well directed, never boring except some second season's episodes. Some times, it was repetitive, sometimes it seemed that they ran out of ideas, repeating the same things again and again. It was not a perfect tv show but it kept you guessing until the end, and there were many intense episodes. Most of the questions were answered. Yes, the later seasons are not as good as the first one, SERVANT promised more than it delivered. But at the end of the day, it was a fun ride. Penultimate first season's episode was one of the greatest tv episodes of the last 5 years. Don't expect a masterpiece, and you will enjoy it, if you like mystery movies/series.

Season 3 is creepier

[moniquerich · 9/10 · 18 March 2022]

I've enjoyed the show so far. Yes, it's slow, but it's satisfying. At least to me it is. I'm on episode 8 of Season 3 and honestly, they need to start realizing that without Leanne, Jericho is just a doll. Plain and simple. Dorothy especially needs to realize this, then, she wouldn't be going as crazy as she's been going. Just a thought.

a creepy mystery that keeps you guessing

[cherold · 8/10 · 31 January 2020]

I found the first episode of Servant so fascinating that I insisted my girlfriend watch it while I rewatched it. Directed by M. Night Shyamalan, it's weirdly unsettling: the guy is weirdly hostile, the woman is weirdly nervous and excited, and the girl is weirdly low-key. Shyamalan keeps the camera too close as the premise rolls out.

Starting as a series about a nanny hired to take care of a doll used to help a grieving mother cope, Servant takes a series of left turns that leaves you curious and perplexed. There are weird incidents and reveals through the season (excepting one episode in the middle in which basically nothing important happens - what's up with that?).

The ending is, I must admit, disappointing. A lot of questions are raised during the series, and a number are answered, but the last part is just .. what? Huh?

Even though the series left me not so much curious about season 2 as suspicious that the creators are just messing with the audience, I still found this tremendously enjoyable.

Basically a drama with spooky music

[PaxD75 · 7/10 · 30 January 2022]

=== MAJOR SPOILER ALERT ===

Stephen King nearly ruined this series for me but he did get me to watch it. I had to quickly adjust my expectations but this is what he had to say:

"SERVANT, on Apple+: Extremely creepy and totally involving. Two episodes and I'm hooked." (December 5, 2019)

"SERVANT is back on Apple+.

M. Night Shayamalan, spooky as hell, crawls right up your nerve-endings, need I say more?" (January 15, 2021)

He oversold this series by miles. 'Servant' isn't creepy, it doesn't crawl right up your nerve-endings. I just finished the 2nd season and it's essentially a drama:

1. Dorothy is responsible for killing her own newborn. Creates a fantasy while the family enables her.

2. Leanne, a member of a religious cult, manages to become a part of the household (Leanne remembers Dorothy from when she was a child).

3. Religious cult seems spooky but they only appear to harm their own. Lots of ominous music when they make appearances. Also, difficult to leave this cult...

4. Lots of creepy music and insinuation that Leanne might have some kind of dark power (which is also very easily explained by coincidences).

5. Some dumb stuff: Sean (the husband) constantly pulling out large splinters throughout his body (he barely questions this), loses his sense of smell (does not have this checked out), complete loss of feeling from a hand (so he lights it on fire).

In the end, it's a good drama (crazy mother and her family take on a religious cult) in a long, drawn out (but engaging) story with lots of mood music. Good acting, small cast of characters, each episodes is only 30 minutes but feels longer (so they really make this work).

It's pretty good if you go in with the right expectations - ie; a drama dealing with unusual circumstances. It's long and boring if you believe what Stephen King had to say about this.

Excellent!

[christineballone · 8/10 · 30 May 2023]

I usually don't make it through a whole season but this one is 4 seasons and I was glued to the TV! Yes it is slow but it keeps you hooked with small weird happenings throughout. It's mostly nonviolent but some of the scenes are quite gruesome and I guess that's what gives it the edge! It's not until season 3 you can see something is coming! I personally love Night Shyamalan, always have ever since "the village"! He is wonderfully weird! The acting is excellent and the characters believable! The scary part is that this could actually happen but without the super natural part! I really don't understand the low reviews, I can only imagine they are done by people who only like a lot of action ! Definitely recommend to give this a try!

They lost the plot

[sala-gainza · 6/10 · 10 February 2023]

I am a huge fan of Night Shyamalan's work as a whole. But... This series started really well in season 1 with its creepy plot and characters. Shyamalan's twisted imagination does not seem to have limits. Amazing. Season 2 kept up and as it expanded on strange new characters it was quite enjoyable.

I tolerated season 3 although nooooothing was happening episode after episode. It kept you interested enough to tune in the following week, but it left me completely empty.

Season 4 has lost me. I have watched four episodes and honestly, I am done. Don't waste your time, folks. Imagine this whole thing ended with season 2.

Pushes and pushes... however...

[anthonyjlangford · 10 February 2020]

No need to tell you the set-up. You know enough already. It had me in from the first episode. I stuck with it. It maintains its interest rather than build upon it beyond Epidsode 2. It never gets better than that. It's essentially a play. Almost all of the action takes place in the house. It could quite easily be a play. Yet the issue is, when you limit something to this degree, the shock, thriller value can only travel so far, until you have to deliver. It's smart and it traverses these boundaries very well. However it was Episode 6 that finally crossed the line of realism. You can hide reality various film making techniques, which is what has been done here, such as cutting away from certain scenes, distracting the audience when the truth should have been expanded upon and more, but in Ep 6, some events occur that do not generate a normal human reaction. This is not realistic. No spoilers but it took me out of it.

You can't sustain this idea for this long and continue to attempt to deliver suspense without either boring the viewers or going too far. Ep6 goes too far. Younger viewers might swallow it up but astute, mature people will say, hang on, this is not a normal response to this situation. Most normal people in this situation will have resolved this quandary in Episode 2. A shame because it was quite engaging up until 6. Worth watching for many reasons, but you do have to suspend your own normal emotional reactions in order to stay with it. A good series but not a great one. The acting is great. As you would expect perhaps, from such a stagey, theatrical type experience. For me, Rupert Grint is the standout.

Rubert Gint is Killing it...

[Mehki_Girl · 9/10 · 9 September 2020]

I actually agree with some of the negative reviews. Yes, this can drag a little, but each episode is a doable short 30 minutes each and it does keep you watching. You can binge watch this whole thing in one sitting on a rainy afternoon during the pandemic. There are worse things that you could be doing.

I'm actually loving the fact that it's in one location. The home is gorgeous. There is a juicy mystery here. And you can vacillate between is this someone's imagination? Is the girl a devil worshiper? Putting a spell on them? Is the girl going to do them evil?

Yes, there are things that they do that supposedly a normal person wouldn't do. But the show does explain their actions. The wife is in a very fragile state and sometimes you'll do anything for a loved one. And, also, there are characters who are saying let's do what normal folks would do in a similar situation.

One thing I'm having a little bit of a hard time with is the timeline Although I think I've picked up on some explanations as to when the incident happened and when the girl showed up, so I do believe that the timeline does fit. I'm also wondering why more people don't know what happened, unless her connections in the news world kept a lot of things out of the paper. That's also plausible.

Anyway I enjoyed the cinematography, the acting, the location, and the overall mysterious atmosphere, while admitting it can drag a bit.

I want to give a shout out to Rupert Gint, as the brother, Julian, who's stealing every scene he's in.

There's also unexpected humor and some really funny lines. For example, Sean referring to Julian as a source of protection, he's all of 160 lbs and half of that is cocaine. The other one was when Sean complains about lack of sex for one year and the wife says to Sean, wow a whole year without p*. I'm sure your medal of courage is in the mail.

I'm looking forward to season 2.

Not gonna lie, it did start off good.

[venla-03305 · 6/10 · 26 December 2019]

Feeling sad about the fact that this show really did seem like a good one. Now after watching the sixth episode I'm starting to feel bored. The whole series is dependent on confusion and no one knows what is or even could be going on. You can always guess but it gets boring after literally everything that happens is just confusing and all I can do is wait for some kind of an explanation to help the viewer to get a grip of this show.

Wonderful

[IAAL · 10/10 · 25 August 2023]

I really don't get all the negative reviews. I thought this was some of the best TV I've ever seen. Great job by Lauren Ambrose, Toby. Kebbell. And Rupert Grint; absolutely towering outstanding performance by Nell Tiger Free, who should get about six Emmys. Solid writing, nice unhurried character development, good job of working with the fantasy premise (and we don't even really find out what that is until the end of Season 2). And really satisfying ending; right up there with one of the great series endings in history, which also featured Lauren Ambrose. I agree with the reviews that have criticized the CGI in the final episode, but it didn't bother me particularly. Absolutely PERFECT twist at the very end -- as one would expect from the guy who made "Sixth Sense," but in fact I didn't and it totally got me. I literally applauded.

Oh, and also, nice job integrating the high-end cooking stuff. I'm guessing someone involved in the development of this show was a Rex Stout fan.

Not as good or bad as the other reviews say

[banningjj · 7/10 · 7 February 2020]

The show would have definitely been better off being a movie or four episodes shorter as there was a ton of filler. Having said that, it was delightfully creepy and had some typical M Night twists and turns. Worth a watch if you already have Apple TV. But, not worth buying Apple TV just to watch it.

It's getting old fast

[mhunts33 · 5/10 · 7 February 2022]

Season one was interesting for sure with some really creepy characters. However, now we are in season 3 and NOTHING EVER HAPPENS! Every episode is pretty much the same. Now I believe that they have already signed on to do season 4. How is that even possible? This is classic M Night with the story being well shot and nice to look at but the story seriously lacking. He has been chasing the success of the Sixth Sense and looking for that type of payoff ever since. Unless there is a real "wow" twist , I expect that those of us who have stuck around this long will be massively disappointed. Wrap it up and get to the point!

Absolute masterpiece, how is the score so low?!

[Erlik_Han · 10/10 · 17 May 2020]

The show is absolutely brilliant! The acting is amazing, the story that slowly unfolds is fantastic and thrilling from beginning to end. I've just binge watched the first season and I can't wait for the second season.

I do not understand how this show has a mediocre score like this. I couldn't stop watching, the acting alone deserves a 10. Don't read any spoilers, don't watch any trailers. Just watch the show, you will not regret it.

Despite what the description says it's no horror show. It has no cheap jump scares etc. It's a very suspenseful, extremely well acted and written character drama / thriller with beautiful twists and turns.

Absolutely intense and chilling

[ankursinhparmar · 10/10 · 29 November 2019]

I got feeling that some people purposefully giving bad reviews to Apple tv shows, Please do not believe in those reviews, Give this show a try for one episode , I am sure u will end up watching all three.

And those sudden camera angle changing, chilling sound effects, just wow.

Just watch it.

I see the ramp & the pool & the shark

[michaelzihmer · 6/10 · 4 February 2022]

Season 1: Wow! Unique & exciting Great writing & well directed & spot on cast.

Season 2: Ooo, can't wait. I wonder what could be next?! Same everyone, same plot, plus some over the top bizarre. OK

Season 3: C'mon, more of the same? Can't be. Please tell me there's more. Please!

Just like all M. Night's latest stuff. Intriguing but falls flat. I'm certain there is more from him, but not sure it's coming on this series.

The thrills of classic M. Night Shamalyn

[jyatesnewyork · 10/10 · 28 November 2019]

If you love most of Shamalyn's films, you will LOVE this series. You have to be able to accept the concept, though. It's a hard one. A family has been struck with the saddest of all losses (no spoiler there). The mother seems to be be frozen in place until the "anti-Mary Poppins" arrives from Wisconsin to care for the reborn baby you have seen in all the trailers for Servant. The series is a thing of beauty however if you can bear the sadness and the ubercreepiness. The acting is terrific (hey, even the reborn flips and flops around like a pro stunt double). The Philadelphia settings are incredible. Additionally, you get to see M. Knight appear, in Hitchcockian mode,as usual, right from the start. The rain, the hooded jacket, the pull back shots, the close ups, the mirrored reflections, all of the fun of his films are in Servant. Don't miss this! It's a complete thrill.

Creepy, unsettling, and difficult to keep your eyes away.

[cruise01 · 7/10 · 29 January 2020]

Servant Season 1 (3.5 out of 5 stars).

The first season overall is a pretty fair series. The cast ensemble was good. The three actors playing Sean, Leanne, and Dorothy delivered. The plot kept a mystery creepy premise. Especially with some of the story revealing a little in the end. I did feel like the ending did leave you feeling less satisfied as they keep you waiting to reveal more of the story next season.

Overall, this series is definitely worth watching.

Top tier work in every way

[sbrooke1980 · 8/10 · 21 January 2022]

If Servant were a restaurant it would be that 5 star place with the waiting list you'll never get on & food that is exquisite in every way but not near enough of it (with Yellowjackets being your favorite restaurant you never want to leave with affordable but amazing food, excellent atmosphere and music and you know you'll patronize it until it's ripped from your life due to unfair circumstances, and fantastically so-bad-it's-good reality tv being McDonalds). Servant would be the restaurant where Sean is the head chef. It's so visually stunning and the acting from all 4 main characters (as well as the supporting actors) is so on point, it almost feels like it's too good for the likes of me. I wish the episodes were longer. The directors and screenwriters have really brought their "A" games to every element from props to music to creating the atmosphere of mystery, surrealism and over-indulgence. I truly think all four main actors deserve all the awards for what they do here; Lauren Ambrose and Rupert Grint are so compelling I literally cannot remove my eyes from the screen every time they're on. Ambrose was born for this role and I hope she gets the recognition she deserves. Her facial expressions and acting chops in general, such as her just full embodiment of yuppyism at its best (or worst?), are really a treat to behold. Wow.

Can't stand Dorothy any more!

[lonelyswordsman · 7/10 · 18 March 2021]

This is a very good show except the performance of Dorothy. Just like Dr. Smith makes me quit Lost in Space, Dorothy begin to make me hard to keep watch this show. Sorry I'm not a native English speaker, I don't know how to describe the problem of their performance: overdone? too much unnecessary facial expression? superficial? Just can't stand actor/actress with this kind of style. Other actors/actresses in this show are all very good. And the plot and suspension, great. I would have given it 8 if it was not that Dorothy with all her excessive facial expression!

For those who say the Makers were Clueless about where the Plot was going....

[clownscape · 9/10 · 27 February 2021]

Here's a breakdown of the actual story as it stands at S02E07 (told in linear order) -

A group of people are brought back from the dead (revived) by a higher power (or someone whose identity has not yet been disclosed) to help people who needs saving or salvation. These servants also have the power to revive the dead, but there might be some T&C to when they are allowed to do that (with great power comes great responsibility and all that). However, this process of helping others requires some sort of sacrifice (the exact nature of which isn't clear yet) by these chosen servants.

In comes Leanne, a girl who had died a few years ago and was revived to serve. Only problem: she turns out to be a rebel. She runs away from the clan/commune and arrives at the house of Dorothy and Sean. Their son has passed away as a baby due to negligence on the part of the parents. Dorothy lives in denial, clinging onto a doll, taking it for her child. Leanne, largely unknown to the events that led to the baby's death and sympathetic to the parents' fate revives the child. Dorothy doesn't notice this since she never accepted the child's death, but Sean is naturally shocked, but eventually comes to terms with the fact - after all, there baby is back.

The commune of servants (an Uncle and Aunt) hunt Leanne down and Leanne learns about the couple's past. The servants convince Leanne that it was neither Leanne's place nor a judicious decision on Leanne's part to revive that child. Leanne and the revived child are whisked away. (we don't yet know what happens to the child yet). The servants place Leanne in a house where a family (and specifically a child) might require her help n the near future.

However, Dorothy, who believes Leanne had runaway with their child, finds Leanne and kidnaps her to squeeze information out of her. Dorothy keeps Leanne locked away. Uncle arrives to convince Sean and Dorothy to let Leanne go so she may complete her job, be where she is needed to serve. Dorothy refuses to oblige and the inevitable happens - the entire family in question, along with the child, is massacred. Leanne, a soft-hearted girl, who loves children above everything is unable to forgive herself for her inability to help another child. In an emotional state, she even tries to bring that child back from the dead, but the process is interrupted, and she fails. And that is where things stand so far.

I can't believe people are saying that this doesn't have the story, or that the story is being made on the go. What I've written above is only the barebone structure. There are many more details to the actual story. Yes, this show requires a certain sensibility to watch and follow. The devil (literally) is in the detail. If you like a show with unrealistic, overarching actions in every episode and need the storyteller to spoon-feed you, then this show is definitely not for you.

For everyone else, yes, this is absolutely brilliant! ...so far. I love how much attention has been given to the storytelling and how well planned the entire story was from the very first episode of the first season. That itself adds to the eeriness of it all.

Servant Season One (Thumps Up) Season Two (Thumps Down)

[saadgkhan · 7/10 · 18 April 2021]

Servant is not your typical horror show, there are not many characters or heavy flashbacks. It is primarily shot in one townhouse and that's about it. Season one was great, it was slow but it has all the creepiness what we like and admire in the genre. A creepy baby, a nanny, a house and husband who just lost a baby but have to put all this together. I enjoyed thoroughly till the end as the cinematography was top notch and the cooking and chopping scenes were creepy and exquisite at the same time.

Now Season Two, the cookies crumble because there is no creepy baby anymore and nanny is not a nanny anymore. The husband is a walking somber ken doll and somehow The Wife who is clearly not right in her mind takes centre stage. She becomes this monster on the lines of Carrie's mom. This was soo over the top that any sympathy you had for her goes out of the window. NO ONE, I mean No One tells her the truth in all 5 hours of season two. We did get some answers about Nanny's background but it was coming in soo many small chunks that it felt dragged on. I was bored midway as you think the story leads to anywhere but it doesn't till the very last frame.

I still have hope for Season Three and hoping it will finish with the bang.

Started with a bang but going nowhere

[secsubs · 5/10 · 20 February 2021]

Someone already pointed it out - started really suspenseful and could make you tense and arched like a nervous cat. 2-3 episodes later, they lost the plot. Nothing happened for several episodes, the story didn't move. Great direction and acting but they all carry the carcass of a dead plot. Season 2 is more confusing and castrated. Like so many shows - taking off and weaving a complex web is easy, landing it and untangling the threads is very hard. Unfortunately, this show is just an annoyance now.

Exceptional cinematography

[shuvamdasgupta · 8/10 · 21 March 2020]

One of the best series of this time. The cinematography is one of the best I have seen in any series. I will be waiting for season 2.