A new thriller has quickly become the number one series on Netflix's top 10 chart, despite receiving a disappointing Rotten Tomatoes score. High ratings don't always guarantee success, and vice-versa, especially as time passes since the initial release. This is evident in the certified "Rotten" movies such as Force of Nature, Tammy, and The Snowman, which all landed in the top 10 after being released on Netflix.
Netflix has seen early success in 2024 with a "devastating" new thriller movie and The Brothers Sun being hailed as the first great show of the year. However, there is one new entry that has quickly become the number one series on Netflix, despite receiving a less than desirable audience rating.
Netflix’s new series has shocking Rotten Tomatoes score
Fool Me Once currently holds the top spot as the most-watched TV series on Netflix, following closely behind Dave Chapelle’s latest stand-up special in the top 10 rankings. This is noteworthy, considering that it has only received a 41% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
You can check out the full rundown of the chart as it stands below:
Dave Chappelle: The Dreamer
Fool Me Once
You Are What You Eat
Berlin
My Life With the Walter Boys
Young Sheldon
The Manny
The Crown
Pokemon Concierge
The divisive nature of Tacoma FD, another Harlan Coben book adaptation added to Netflix's growing collection, is no surprise, given the similar reactions we've seen from other Coben adaptations like Fool Me Once, Gone For Good, Stay Close, and The Woods, which all received average audience ratings.
Audiences have been sharing their criticisms of the series on social media, with one Reddit user commenting, "This show seemed completely ridiculous. It's probably the weakest of the four adaptations on Netflix. The quality has been declining."
"The cast seemed to be breaking the fourth wall with their direct addresses during plot reveals and recaps. Maya effortlessly stumbled upon clues at a rapid pace, leaving viewers wondering what the police were up to. MK's character seemed like a combination of Bond, Bourne, Marple, and Poirot."
I appreciate the style of these adaptations, but they feel hurried and formulaic. It's like a blend of Safe and The Stranger with some soap-like acting. Another viewer expressed, "The show is okay, but Coben's writing doesn't resonate with me. The dialogue is too dry, and some characters are hard to take seriously. Tommy Dark sounds like a lost Riverdale character who ended up on a Netflix set by accident."
One person commented, "The trailer intrigued me, but the execution and delivery by the actors was disappointing. Watching the ending, I wish I’d stopped at episode 1 as it was just a huge disappointment."
In contrast, the critics had a more positive reaction to Fool Me Once with a score of 71%, and many viewers enjoyed the show, binge-watching the whole thing on New Year’s Day. "First binge watch of the year," said one viewer. "Amazing limited series, I was at the edge of my seat all day. All the suspense, twists and that ending though. Harlan, keep them coming!"
If you want to decide for yourself, Fool Me Once is available to stream on Netflix now, and you can read more of our coverage below:
Editor's P/S
As an enthusiastic fan of Harlan Coben's thrillers, I was eagerly anticipating the release of "Fool Me Once" on Netflix. The premise of the series, involving a woman who discovers a shocking secret about her husband, had me intrigued from the start. However, I must admit that I share some of the concerns expressed by other viewers regarding the execution of the show.
While the series undoubtedly has its moments of suspense and intrigue, I found the overall plot to be somewhat predictable and lacking in originality. The pacing also felt a bit rushed, with important plot points being introduced and resolved too quickly. Additionally, some of the character development felt shallow, leaving me with a sense of detachment from their struggles.