Penny Dreadful

A series that made me overjoyed considering the poor quality of a lot of horror films. No disappointment here. The whole thing is permeated by the grim atmosphere of Victorian London full of fog, rain, and gas lamps among which all the fearful creatures roam. The series has a decent script and cast at its disposal. Eva Green in particular gives a really great performance. At last, an enjoyable horror series without a lot of pointless filler. I can't rate it other than five stars. Edit: I have to say I was slightly underwhelmed by Season 3. The ending wasn’t very convincing, but it wasn’t enough for me to change my final rating. (03.08.2016)

The first season wasn’t disappointing in the least. It gradually introduced familiar characters that used to scare fearful readers. The creators managed to write a meaningful story with an excellent, dark atmosphere. They built up the suspense and offered a great cast, Eva Green being the proverbial jewel in the crown. I liked how they managed to end the first season in style, while casually luring the viewer to watch the next season. (26.05.2018)

I quickly realized that this series won't be a horror, at least not the way I imagine horror. But that doesn't mean it's bad, quite the opposite. The creators managed to build a great, dark atmosphere and solid suspense already in the first episode. The plot had a very decent pace, the cast is truly stellar, and I was very satisfied after the first episode. (23.05.2018)

The plot of the second episode noticeably lost pace and I was practically determined to settle for four stars this time, but the events at Lyle's party convinced me that the fifth episode deserves a piece after all. I enjoy how gradually more legendary characters emerge, who once caused restless sleep for people. (23.05.2018)

This time I already reduced the rating because I felt that the creators were not able to get the story at the right pace. Besides that, I didn't have any other significant comments, the atmosphere was still appropriately oppressive, I enjoyed the story of the Monster, and I'm looking forward to the next episodes. (23.05.2018)

I hesitated for a long time whether to give three or four stars because the plot of the fourth episode was strangely dull. In the end, I decided for a weaker four, but only because I enjoyed the previous three episodes and I hope that the following ones will entertain me as well. 4* (24.05.2018)

In the fifth episode, the creators decided to go back to the past of the characters, and it was actually very good. I finally found out what connects (and separates) Malcolm and Vanessa, and I got a very vivid excursion into the most advanced methods in the field of medical science. (24.05.2018)

If I criticized the fourth episode for its weak plot, in the sixth, on the contrary, the story picked up again and besides the dark atmosphere, it also brought decent action in the harbor and Vanessa's confrontation with darkness, which promises interesting experiences in the next episodes. I was amused by Van Helsing's sudden departure. (24.05.2018)

I need to reiterate what other users have written before me, the entire seventh episode relies on Eva Green's superb performance. Under different circumstances, I would hesitate to give it five stars, as the story barely moved forward, but this time I had to go all in for this perfect study of obsession, whether I wanted to or not. (26.05.2018)

The creators took a break from the main storyline in the previous exorcism episode, but in this episode they returned to it and successfully finished what they started. The character of Victor Frankenstein undergoes an interesting development under the influence of the Monster, Ethan Chandler has shown his true face, and there was also some decent action. 5 stars. (26.05.2018)

I had quite an issue with Season 2. The pace that I was used to in the first season gradually diminished. It was annoying how the story was slowed down by various side-plots in which hardly anything happened. Some scenes felt like mere filler to stretch out the story. The second half saw a complete turnaround, the story picked up the right pace, the atmosphere full of tension was back and I finally started enjoying myself. Plus, I was very pleased with the well-crafted ending, which made me look forward to season three. (28.05.2018)

The first episode of the second season nicely followed the first season, and I was pleased to find out that the creators managed to maintain the great atmosphere and tension that I got used to in the previous series. The new story also caught my attention, and overall, I had a good time. (26.05.2018)

The story significantly lost pace in the second episode, I have nothing against conversations if they are essential to the ongoing plot, but I could easily do without debates about the qualities of poets. I was already disgusted with poetry in elementary school, constantly analyzing poems and pondering what the poet wanted to say with each verse, it bored me to death. (27.05.2018)

The memorial, "witchy" episode was very well done by the creators. Compared to the previous slow-paced episode, the plot had momentum, the atmosphere was again fantastically gloomy, and instead of pointless philosophizing about poets, I discovered a lot of essential information about Vanessa's past. (27.05.2018)

The fourth episode didn't entertain me too much. The pace of the story was unnecessarily slow again, important matters were put on the back burner, and at times I was directly bored. The relationship between Dorian Gray and Angelique was downright annoying to me. I understand that they probably both have to get what they want, but watching two guys gnawing at each other's faces is very unpleasant to me. (27.05.2018)

This time, the plot was indeed a bit livelier, but I have a feeling that compared to the episodes of the first season, the storyline is getting diluted in a series of relationship issues, which then unnecessarily affects the tension and atmosphere. Meanwhile, I would easily forego philosophizing about life and the convoluted ending (especially those two tragic twists). The sophisticated torture of Mrs. Murray was one of the strengths of the piece. (27.05.2018)

The sixth episode had the potential for three stars for me, luckily Gray's ball saved the situation, maybe it's a bit of a pity that Eva Green didn't get more space in it to turn it into a total psycho horror. Apart from the ball, Malcolm Murray's reaction to his wife's death really entertained me. It actually made me laugh, I like such cynical reactions. (27.05.2018)

Again, the plot moved to the mud and again, it's worth five stars. The country air of the second season has once again been beneficial, the pace of the story has sympathetically increased, both the most interesting characters have been given more space, but I have to admit that Lily amused me in the end, even though she seemed annoying to me in previous episodes. (28.05.2018)

In the eighth episode, luckily, there was still something happening, so I had no reason to complain. The atmosphere was once again strong enough, the story had a decent pace, and none of the plotlines were boring. I was amused by the transformation of Malcolm Murray from a puppet into a one-man army, the room of nightmares, and the confrontation between the Monster and Lily, but what pleased me the most was the development of the situation around Angelique. (28.05.2018)

As it stumbled several times in the series, I must praise the creator for the second half. Once again, the episode was full of interesting events, the opening scene already put me in a good mood, but even later I was not disappointed. The expedition to the witches' lair was underlined by a sometimes horror atmosphere, which nicely contrasted with the events around the Monster, which had lost the last illusions about the human race. (28.05.2018)