Shahmaran (2023– ) User Reviews

One star is not fair

[tolgaabbasoglu · 6/10 · 22 January 2023]

Ok it is not a great show but I don't understand why the people rate as one star. Sounds not fair. It seems that a bunch of people come together and try to reduce the rate of the show. It is contain 8 episodes and each of takes approximately 50 minutes. I watched in two days without get bored. It ends like the second season will publish that was little annoying and that was the reason I rated 6 instead of 7.

So, the show was average but Serenay Sarikaya had a great performance.she looks gorgeous, stunning and wonderful in the show and it was nice to see her here. I missed to see her performance.

Too much drama, less action

[sumdyude · 4/10 · 1 February 2023]

This is the second Turkish series in recent times that I couldn't watch after a few episodes. The previous one was Protector. This started out great, and the lead actress is super talented and sensual and would give any of the "oscar" actresses a run for their money. But the script is tediously slow and boring often focusing on petty personal drama than the actual theme, maybe it's a way to ease the budget because drama comes cheap. It could've been so much better. The Protector suffered from the exact same shortcomings. The characters and everything else is fine but the script needs to be revised.

This had potential but failed.

[kerime_ulukok · 4/10 · 28 January 2023]

The topic of the show ( the shahmaran legend of a women half human half snake) whilst intriguing and interesting fails to keep the viewer interested due to long and drawn out episodes about nothing. The story seems to never progress. I think this would have been much better off as a film or half the episodes it has to cut out the unnecessary scenes.

I think 4 is a fair review taking into consideration the slight Twilight imitation. The shahmaran legend has not made good tv in the past therefore this could have been a good opportunity to make this mythology/story that stems from Turkey an International interest.

Emotional and beautiful

[Akaforest · 24 January 2023]

I do not understand why people rate this as cringe or stupid. This is a very beautiful and romantic piece of art, where a modern woman meets an old legend.

Both main actors are stunning in their own way. Their love is, as the legend tells, foreseen and as they meet, there is an undeniable magnetic atmosphere between them.

And they are acting actually great and quite convincible. And it is nice to see a bit of the turkish culture, such as festivities with music or dancing.

It's full with quite beautiful pictures and scenery all along.

All in all I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to the next season.

mediocre fantasy drama! just tragic

[ninacowell · 1/10 · 20 January 2023]

Netflix had to know better! Very mediocre and superficial dialogs, visual effects are terrible and the story is a mess with no conclusion at all. 6 episodes in and i already want my wasted time back! The director failed create the world required for such story. The actor who plays maran is very dull and cringe actually most of the players aren't that good. They tried to to copy an atmosphere but with zero preparation. The result is terrible unfortunately. It is a waste of time. I hope netflix stick to turkish ordinary shows and stop imitating foreign projects! It is just not working and won't work!

Failed try...

[isilarashird · 3/10 · 22 January 2023]

I finished it just to see how it ends, as the storyline did not make sense with some random patchwork of strange events, cryptic dialogs, unclear characters which did not seem to lead anywhere comprehensible. No surprise, it ended rather unintelligently. There is nothing strong in this series apart from the chemistry between the lead roles. Even then it is wasted. And they were not bound with the limitations of the physical world, they had all the freedeom of fantasy universe... The idea of using Sahmaran tale in a movie is interesting one but this interpretation is rather poor. It deserves a remake.

A beautiful made series

[aurorasky-96976 · 7/10 · 24 January 2023]

I watched this series in two days and I really enjoyed the story. The scenery and actors. Beautiful mythical story which I never heard of before. Just like Atiye, a story what makes you think about women and history.

The story is about coming to terms with the past, accepting destiny. Getting to know your own heritage and embracing your own.

It is also about how to deal with mental illness and trauma, family positions, culture and folklore.

I loved the costume designs of the actors as and the way the houses were decorated.

Thank you, the developers, for getting me aqainted with this part of Turkey and the myth of Sahmaran.

A myth legendary story from Anatolia ruined!

[oytuncak · 2/10 · 21 January 2023]

Guys really this much of budget with actors and actresses and you dont spend time on art direction, visual director and scenario is ruined with unnecessary dialogues which doesnt make sense far from reality. Its taking ages for the story to progress and full season one lady sleeping in a Turkish bath with snakes cant wake up. There is no progression. Its so slow and boring. There is nothing good about this series.

Dear Netflix

Please dont let Turkish scenarists and producers to make production like broadcasted Turkish series on Tv. We need really good visual directors from Hollywood or Europe because Turkish professionals are still not there. On the other hand scenarios shouldnt be approved as it is they need international hands on them to make it more appealing wondrous and progressive which will suck you in to the story.

This one lacks that. I felt similar with Hot Skull series.

A great potential ruined again. But Visual direction and Coloring was way better.

Spectacular Turkish Series

[trekpac · 10/10 · 27 April 2023]

Looking at the reviews on this series, there are lots of 1 ratings but also lots of 10s, indicating a complete disconnect for some but VERY high praise by others. I fall into the 10 category. It was so delightful for me to be enveloped by it.

I was totally captivated by this subtle but well-acted and well-produced series, and I will recommend it to my more discerning friends. I much enjoyed the acting, the music, the ancient story line, the setting in Turkey. But one must not come at the series with a Western bias. Approach it with openness and seeing it through the actors' eyes and a Turkish cultural perspective, not your own. Look at the Turkish people, study the intriguing storyline, revel in its creativeness.

If you can do so, maybe you'd give it a 10! But if you can's see it or do not wish to move yourself to see it, just drop it. Move on to what talks to yourself.

How A Decent Show Broke Bad Reviews

[zacharydanewilliams · 7/10 · 27 January 2023]

Seeing so many 1 star reviews (ONE star, y'all, that's saying this is among the WORST that all of television has to offer, and The Golf Channel exists, for reference) is baffling for a show that's not only "not THAT bad" - it's really not bad. Here's my guess. The low ratings calling out cringe either don't know that English audio dubs are rarely reflective of the show's intended tone. They don't just translate the language into English which subtitles already accomplish, they Americanize the story. Ever notice how the English audio and the English subtitles rarely match 1 to 1? Watch the show again with just subtitles and just see if you still think it's as bad as "School of Golf."

Not a good one.

[Raisa1971 · 3/10 · 20 January 2023]

Only because of Burak Deniz, I watched this series. The cinematography was undoubtedly top notch. Other than that, individual's acting and overall storyline were similar to other cliche Turkish dramas. Nonetheless, Burak's parts were good as usual. Such type of plot has been shown in "Twilight" series in a much better way. Thus, the re-creation of almost identical story was not worthy. Moreover, main theme has been cleared out just at the very last episode of the series, and other episodes were felt like blank. It has failed to make intrigued with the series as there was no depth of story and ending was like "a bit forced".

Don't believe the bad reviews.

[MsCateArcher · 8/10 · 23 January 2023]

I honestly don't get the bad reviews, it is a decent and well acted show. The atmoshpere is mystic and absorbing, the story is interesting,and all in all I have enjoyed all three episodes so far.

Younger audiences like fast paced and action filled thrillers,which is not the case here, this is a slow burner,but a good one.

Shahmaran is actually a mystic figure in the center of an epic tale. If you know about the tale, most of the the mysterious and weird looking pieces come together right from the start, and it is a much more enjoyable story for the viewer.

By the way, it is not fair to rate so low on a show, when you don't know what to look for when rating.

I liked it

[malsooon · 7/10 · 27 February 2023]

The poster attracted me to watch it, I thought it was horror but when I watched it appeared that it is tooo way far from ghosts, lol.

I watched it according the poster and I didn't watch the trailer so, I didn't know what it is about exactly, but when I watched it liked it so much.

After 30 minutes of the first episode I said what is it about and it looks boring, but the end of the episode made me excited to watch the second one and the second one attracted me to watch the third episode then I said, it looks nice.

I wanted to finish the whole 8 episodes in 1 day but, I didn't have time because of my work.

At the end what I want to say is that I am so excited to see second season.

Notice: ignore the bad reviews and bad comments it is fantasy drama love story.

You will love the actors, the cinematography and the actor's as**.

There is drama, romance, suspense, twist and thriller moments.

It looks like twilight only this one with snakes.

Very tedious squalor

[ribera-lj · 1/10 · 26 January 2023]

Bad script, bad acting, bad special effects... The main character constantly smokes, drinks and wears boots in the heat. Poor perfumer Maran, what a fragrance there should be... After all, Shahsu looks like a young Gerard Depardieu. She's human, but she's toxic worse than a snake.

It is clear that fans of the actress defend the project. But it is hardly worth the 8 hours of time spent. Dialogues are just a disaster! It's a shame for the beautiful Turkish legend. Shakhmaran deserves a better project. By the way, the legend is very ancient and very interesting.

This is the worst Turkish project for Netflix.

sorry but unprofessional

[serdarkorkutan · 1/10 · 20 January 2023]

First of all, those who will watch the series for the first time should watch it at 1.25 speed. Of the 10 minutes per episode on average, 80 minutes won't be wasted.

The series, on the other hand, shows the sexual tension between sahsu and maran rather than the subject. They tried to make the audience believe that they were in Adana by shooting a kebab scene from time to time, as if it was shot in Mexico, Spain, Tabernas, not Adana.

They threw away a topic that could be perfect and grow worldwide. How can a topic like Sahmeran be written like it was written for such a high school kid, sin, really sin, couldn't you write a script like a man, but what happened? Think 20-odd years ago, even the movie Sahmaran starring Turkan Soray can beat this.

I'll handle it, I'll figure it out (he couldn't) A slow-paced drama with a woman and a man frowning around thinking we're crazy as a family, no one tells me anything. It saves him from any trouble. I wonder when we will be original, what will change when people who have already shot their films cut them and put snakes instead of vampires?

The world's worst love story isn't twilight anymore congratulations this really deserves a hit too.

The snakes must be hissing

[gurumaggie · 2/10 · 22 January 2023]

The last ten roughly mins of the female lead character consisted of dramatic choral music in subtitles I'm assuming that's because they thought no one would watch until the end, to be honest I fast forwarded from ep 3 to 8 because it was baffling.

The actual legend is way more interesting than this drivel, the plot was um confusing and had plot holes that you could drive a truck through, please god don't make a season 2, you start to wonder if film/ tv directors are like pub singers who don't know how to finish because Netflix have had some absolute stinkers recently and week by week it's getting worse.

Cool

[msamanbgr · 7/10 · 24 May 2023]

It was an interesting movie and taken from an iranian Fiction of Shahmaran.

Shahmaran is one of the oldest Iranian fictions, which is common among Kurds and there are different versions of it.

The story goes like this: a boy named Jamasp and his friends go to a well and find out that the well is full of honey and Jamasp decides to go into the well to get more honey, but when he wants to come out, his friends leave him alone.

In the cave, he finds a hole from which light comes out; As he goes further, he sees a beautiful garden full of snakes and a king snake. Shahmar is a beautiful girl with the body of a snake and she allows Jamasep on the condition that she will keep the secret of the cave from someone and Jamasep accepts.

Cringe

[betul_ayberkin · 1/10 · 21 January 2023]

Seriously, I gave up after 5 minutes. Very cringe, predictable with terrible acting. Turkish cinema needs to learn acting is not equal to pretty actresses with tons if make up and botox.

I can even see Serenay reading the script, nothing natural.

The beginning starts with a hot city where the actress walks with boots even!!!!

This is beyond cringe and pretentious. Netflix should keep Turkish producers more accountable and not pay for this level of quality!!!!!

This is beyond disappointing it is pathetic!!!!!

I don't recommend anyone to watch and waste their precious time.

Serenay please stop acting.

Great original sound design and scoring!

[susiewtsn · 8/10 · 23 January 2023]

I was totally engrossed in this Turkish series. For me what made it so interesting and drew me in was the instrumentation (not the typical digital crap) used by the composers. Very few films score to the action as this did. That is ambitious and thoughtful attention to detail. Great example of the difference music can make to the overall impact of the storyline. The overall ambient sound work was really excellent, too. It made me realize how much that is lacking in most series and films. Even big budget films. Hollywood can definitely take some cues from this. So A+ to the sound design people and composers and musicians!

Fine serie to watch

[Ozzzyo · 7/10 · 5 February 2023]

The serie is nice to watch very interesting and a nice filming location. The story could be more in debth with more background info about Sahmeran and the characters.

Casting is great. I felt the energy between Serenay and Burak. I think the actors have more to give but the scenario and dialogues don't give the actors enough to show a great acting performance.. for example I still don't understand the role of Ebru Özkan, she is a great actress.. but in this serie there was not much to see in her acting.

I am waiting for the next season! I hope to see more about the actual Sahmeran story.. and better dialogues.

The Turkish audiovisual segment needs to improve in a number of areas

[islamu-80752 · 1/10 · 5 February 2023]

The Turkish audiovisual segment needs to improve in a number of areas

While they are quite good in historical subjects, dramas and comedies, in everything related to mythology or science fiction (for example) they need to improve a lot.

And this series is a good example of what I am talking about, it looks like a job done by beginners.

The beginning of the series is too boring and the plot doesn't flow well enough to make you decide to stay and finish it.

Clearly the producers had good material, a solid cast and crew, but they didn't know how to make the most of it.

My rating 1 out of 10.

Unique and interesting

[godin_al · 9/10 · 13 February 2023]

I feel like from the very start, this story was unique.

What I love is that they're expanding on an old story from Turkish lore. If you look that up, some of this will make sense.

It's filmed in such an interesting way. It's sort of like a slow burning romance mixed with suspense and mysticism.

The character development was quite absorbing and it left me feeling drawn in even more to the story.

I really really hope the make a second season. This was by far more different than anything else I've seen and I love it for that. The acting be was well done.

The more I saw the more invested I became. Which is why I want a season 2!

hypnotic, just like those snakes...

[alinemarie · 7/10 · 9 February 2023]

Just started this series, so I don't know how it will end, but I like the atmosphere, the sense of magic, the delightful images and the charm of the lead actors. I can see why it's too slow for some, and a bit cryptic, but it's this legend style that makes it appealing, actually. Like a bedtime story.

That's all I wanted to say, but it looks that a review has to be longer, that's not a good idea, cause let's face it, how many of us have the time to read all these long reviews?

But let's see, I can add that some things shoud' ve been worked out better: that mysterious character that is supposed to be scary, that is rather funny, so it failed in creating the necessary threat.

Average

[eliffkiraz · 5/10 · 21 January 2023]

Even if Sahmaran is a very old Anatolian legend, it was retold with a new fiction and story. Reminded me of series Anne Rice's Mayfair Witches. Lasher, necklace element, gifted family members, generations of hunted women destined to die and their protectors, supernatural sounds like whispers as a sign of sinister presence, hunted woman sexually involved with evil power while asleep, and waiting for the legend to come true, so on. Anyone who read the book or already watched Mayfair, would easily spot them. Also be prepared to be annoyed and distracted by very frequently hearing doves cooing loudly almost in every episode. Some scenes such as overrated high school level first lecture she delivers, parts played by Maran's sisters, the manner Sahsu is followed by the evil powers could have been different or better. It seems rushed like one of those fast consumption commercial productions without a proper ending. Not an original script. Not a high quality series. Acting is average.

The worst turkish production on Netflix.

[d_fane · 1/10 · 21 January 2023]

There's not much to say. Simply a failed attempt to imitate Twilight. There's no rhythm in the series. Everything develops so slowly and that's make the events boring. Dialogues are very simple. The direction and visual effects are bad too. They couldn't create the atmosfere and background needed for this kind of show. By the way, I see people appreciate Serenay's acting, while her acting was ordinary and I dare to say mediocre. Btw, there are many other Turkish actresses who are much better than her. Serenay is simply overrated. In general, it was a waste of time. The only good thing in the show was Burak Deniz and Ebru Özkan.