Succession (TV Series 2018–2023) Poster

(2018–2023)

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10/10
Don't give up
amrouten3 July 2018
As I binged watch this, I realized HBO packaged this as their answer to Billions. However, this show is not about the business of industry; it's about the business of family. The characters become more likeable as season progresses. This is a great show and I bet the final episode is going to be a jaw dropper.
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10/10
Watch for Greg and Tom, stay for Kendall
mosnowvt663 July 2018
I didn't know what to expect from this show but I'm hooked. It's uncomfortable to watch and hilariously sad. Greg the outsider nephew is perfect and I do love Tom, Shiv and Roman but it's Kendall who is the tragically watchable.
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10/10
Love this show!
cynthiacaton5 July 2018
It is true that most - if not all - of the characters are unlikeable but I think that is part of Succession's charm! The casting is spot on and the dialog is tight. It is well nuanced and I'm looking forward to where the plot is going.

Highly recommended!
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8/10
Brian Cox can do no wrong..
alicepepperpot25 August 2019
I'm surprised there isn't more positive reviews.

Its well written, nice amount of dark humour. The characters are mostly horrible people you'd never want to meet in your life.

I love it.
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10/10
Give it time. It's great.
jeroen-10615 August 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Early on this show is trying to find its tone. Too many weird zooms imply a mockumentary style and the humor clashes with drama early on. This show is at its best when it resolves around the sadness of each character, all trying to earn dads love, who just might not be capable of giving it. The acting is phenomenal, especially after the first couple of episodes. In some instances it reminded me of Festen (Thomas Vinterberg).

I strongly disagree with some reviews here stating that the characters are two dimensional. On the contrary! It just takes a while before things come together. I highly recommend this show and I hope you do too.
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7/10
Wealth, Betrayal, and the Modern Family Saga
m-abtahi28 January 2024
I recently watched the long-running series "Succession." It unravels the intricate web of a family dynasty led by billionaires who amass their wealth through a powerful media empire. As the aging patriarch grapples with his twilight years, his children engage in cutthroat competition, revealing that immense wealth cannot shield them from the destructive forces of rivalry.

In this family, the corporate boardroom becomes an arena for modern betrayal and crime, all for the pursuit of a larger share of the family fortune. Unlike other shows where such power dynamics are veiled behind the facade of royalty, "Succession" boldly exposes the moral crisis within the affluent, where abundant riches fail to prevent the ethical decay among siblings.

This four-season series lays bare the moral crisis of the wealthy, unveiling the manipulative media strategies and unethical dealings while challenging the notion that superior genes are a divine gift.
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5/10
Shows where everyone is awful only really works in comedy.
tomhitchen11 May 2024
Without the humour, it's just unpleasant spending time with these abysmal humans. It works in shows like Royle Family or Always Sunny as the characters are broke losers who are hilarious, but having to watch these terrible people being wealthy and successful is just a bad vibe.

I understand that this is realistic, one only makes it to this level of wealth by being a selfish, egotistical, ruthless bastard, but I don't want to watch that. I understand that it's brilliantly acted and written and that's why people love it, but I'd rather spend my time with media that has characters I want to spend time with.
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10/10
I don't understand the negativity.
jeroen-10621 June 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Characters are actually not one-dimensional as some people state here. Everyone is imperfect in this show. And even if they all seem greedy, they all have their weaknesses and their motivation is rooted deep in their personalities. For example the son who is temp CEO only wants his father's approval and pride, but gets rejected time after time. He plays the character very well.

It's a healthy dose of drama and humor. I'm not sure yet about The Office - ish camerawork (sudden zooms) because it gives the impression of a mockumentary, as if the cameraman is there and just recording what is happening in real-time. It clashes a bit with the overall style of the show. Same for some of The Office style humor they brought to this show. But these are minor things that don't get in the way of the story.

Definitely recommended. Give it a few episodes!
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10/10
Another HBO drama destined for prestige TV status.
maniepranav4 August 2020
Why I was attracted to watching Succession in the first place was because I had heard that it had no likeable characters. Coupled with a backdrop of corporate America, it seemed like a show right up my alley. I had absolutely no idea that the show would exceed my expectations by a large mile.

Not since The Sopranos have I seen an interplay of character dynamics this good, especially the toxic traits of those characters. Every little interaction is important, and affects another character on some or the other level significantly. Succession makes sure that behind the gaudy, showy nature of the Roy family, the ugliness of their existence is visible to you, even in the most subtle ways. The show both revels in and critiques the world it bases itself in. And I don't remember a character-driven drama being this thrilling. Hostile takeovers are usually not exciting to people uninterested in the financial world, but this show makes sure you understand the stakes involved. Like, Breaking Bad-level of tense.

Of course, much of this is possible because of the phenomenal cast. I want Jeremy Strong to win an Emmy this year so badly. Kendall Roy is one of the most brilliant (and surprisingly sympathetic) characters I've seen, a mixture of Christopher Moltisanti and Jesse Pinkman, with a slice of your average venture capitalist. I just hope it doesn't typecast him as a Wall Street-type, although I love him in The Big Short too. I want him to win more than Brian Cox, who scares the living daylights out of me as Logan Roy when he merely enters a room. Then there's Sarah Snook as the prideful Shiv, an excellent, pitch-perfect arc like no other. And my man Kieran Culkin as the foul-mouthed-but-concerned Roman, another truly surprising sympathetic turn. And of course, when I talk about Roman, I will talk about Gerri, a role that actress J Smith Cameron absolutely kills, and should have received an Emmy nomination for. And this paragraph is incomplete without my love for Matthew McFadyen and Nicholas Braun in the most hilariously paired people that are Tom and (cousin) Greg since Chris and Paulie Walnuts.

Succession doesn't mince words (or chicken hahahaha). Nothing on the script feels wasted. And the insults are ingenious. As long as Jesse Armstrong remains showrunner, this show will surprise us in the most insane of ways. The research shows (the writers' room is apparently asked to read the Financial Times everyday), and it adds to the authenticity of the show, one which I appreciate. I would also be stupid not to talk about the best original opening theme I have ever heard in any TV show. Nicholas Britell has made a masterful score which does not sound excessive at all. Much like in Mr Robot, the score amplifies the mood.

If you're watching Succession, don't be thrown off by the first 2 episodes of the show (I actually like them). Give it time, because by the 6th episode you'll probably fall off your bed. And come season 2 (which I consider one of the greatest executions of anything in television history because it's flawless), you'll drop your jaw every 25-30 minutes of screentime, which is basically every halftime moment of an episode.

Succession deserves every honor coming its way. HBO has landed another absolute winner in its roster, one that will likely age extremely well with a season or two and be compared to the other Golden Age dramas of this generation. Yes, by that, I mean shows like Mad Men, Breaking Bad, The Leftovers, and maybe, just maybe, The Wire and The Sopranos. Good call on ditching Westworld for marketing this, HBO. This is arguably going to be my favorite deconstruction of capitalism right now.

I can't wait for season 3 at all. I'm just going to rewatch season 2 till then. All the white kids fight for a kiss from daddy, and that might not sell the show a lot. But the fight spins into so many nuances it's hard to look away and just dismiss them as that.
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9/10
Very unique show about life of those at the very top of the food chain
85122222 January 2024
Greetings from Lithuania.

After watching the entire series of "Succession", i can say that i enjoyed the series overall. This is not an "action" series in any sense - its a drama from start till finish. And its being unique on its subject and life it showed - basically of those at the very top of our food chain so to speak. I liked the overall idea of it, and ending was basically a perfect. "Succession" is one of those lucky shows that got the perfect ending.

Overall, acting, writing and script were driving force of "Succession". Some of the episodes especially in first two season weren't that good because show started to repeat itself - for some time they were going round in circles. Yet every time it started to feel repetitive something unexpected happened and it was on again.

At the end of the day, "Succession" showed me life of those i haven't seen before, and it did it on the highest note possible. The ending was flawless.
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9/10
Fantastic show, mediocre ending
Neardark196917 December 2023
I Loved this show, there not a likable character in it, but you'll still find yourself rooting for them. Cousin Greg is hilarious and it's a fantastic insight into a world you expect does exist for a certain privelaged few, where an old school Patriarch has built an empire and now has to bequeath it to his selfish, narcissistic, and none to bright lazy heirs, none of which is worthy and so let the backstabbing begin!

The only negative point was the ending (no spoilers) but after investing in the characters and seeing their motivations I didn't find the final episode true to them.

Not a Game of Thrones ending disaster but a medium end to an otherwise great series.
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9/10
Family Practice In Obfuscation of Morals
I'm intrigued by this patriarchy, a blending of familial story lines that segue from one dysfunctional atrocity to the next. Like witnessing a torturous train wreck that reveals one train car to hold more carnage than the one previously revealed; we're carried along to decide for ourselves which of these halfwits is even remotely capable of stepping out from under their fathers expansive wing span. I'm completely taken aback by previous reviews that dispel the notion that this is compelling viewing, and find myself drawn into the plots and devices. I've long considered myself a fan of Adam McKay's story telling, and I'm afraid I must disagree with those who've pronounced this as 'unwatchable'. From one sibling to the next, theirs is a cautionary tale of raising your children to be loathsome human beings, that attributable wealth can breed contentious offspring that will feast on the flesh of others while laughing at the horror left in their wake. That a spine isn't inherited, and weakness isn't easily overcome. In this world, we witness the sowing of what they willfully reap- with repercussions meted out on a slow burn that may or may not bring casualties. I'm intrigued and can say without pause that this is a triumphant return to the greatness that once was HBO, and hopefully more to come, after the lackluster choices we've been witness to in the last decade or so from the likes of Girls, Vinyl, Rome, etc and more in keeping with some of the best television has to offer in Sopranos, 6FU, etc. Count me in on this one. For now at least.
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9/10
Successful Succession!
thaddeuscharles1 December 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Modern day masterpiece that magnificently captures the power and personal perspectives in family dynamics, social relationships, morals, ethics, politics, and finances. We are all selfish, thusly the main question always is, What's in it for me?

Lost a point due to convenient timing and character placement. Prime example: Mattson leaking he's shiving Shiv the night before the board vote and Greg's google translation. Also, minor issue is the repetitive rise and fall of the siblings. It actually became expected, but due to my emotional attachment great acting, directing, dialogue and camera work it hurt regardless.

I highly recommend watching!
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10/10
Don't miss this show
robs-1163417 February 2024
I don't even know how to describe how much I loved this show. I loved it so much I've watched it all the way through several times and will again. It's definitely one of the best shows I've ever seen. This show takes you into the world of very top 1%. There aren't many likable characters on the show, it's actually the opposite, all the characters are very unlikeable but they're fun to watch. I understand that not everyone liked it though. You have to really appreciate good acting and writing to love this show. HBO has made some of the best shows of all time and Succession is definitely one of those.
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10/10
One of the best TV shows I have seen
shikharsrivastava-342534 December 2023
When I had finished watching Breaking Bad it was hard to imagine i would come across something better.

After watching all seasons for me this one is better. The First Season is slightly slow but once it really picks on starting from the Second Season this show is unstopable.

It's Epic in terms of acting and casting. Perfection in terms of character development and writing.

I cant remember the last time i enjoyed the show so much and which I can watch again and again that deals simply with interaction and dialogues between different characters.

HBO delivers again. This one will remain in the memories for a long time.
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7/10
Meh
thebrain5818 August 2023
I did mostly enjoy this show, although I can't honestly say I ever thought it was really anything special.

For the most part the acting, direction, technical aspects, etc were all good enough but again never struck me as anything special. Nothing particularly groundbreaking or new. Plus I was consistently annoyed by the music, especially the big dramatic build-up type scenes.

One hundred percent certain I will never re-watch this show but might recommend it for viewing to someone if they understand the premise going in and are still interested.

Ultimately when the final episode ended and the credits rolled my overall feeling was - so what, who cares.
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1/10
It was not succeeding
Samurio-Copa10 May 2024
Where to start with this 12 step program of minor problems pretensions rather. It is to one's distinct that they may be in the result of the actions of higher forces.. but the insufferable of the actions they make is not to be accept lightly. Particularly what was most disturbing was in the direction the siblings took... not for the other one who was always in thought. But the brutality may as well be incest for the actions to be considered selfless. However it is not a morality that I share interest for it to be the eye to the soul. Many souls did not take them to such sobriety, so why bother? It is not up to us to decide what is on TV but it is on you to choose what is in definition to the masses. I refuse to see to the writer's wishes. Too many mediocre people . I will say it I do not agree to this style but you tread carefully for the best part of this situation in the world and was going through the same thing but it was pretty much the only thing that happened in the past. High rating not earned.
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10/10
10 million $ out of 10
halcyonedit26 December 2023
The best thing about Succession is its amazing ensemble cast. Each character is so well written and acted, you end up both rooting for the Roys and wishing they failed at the same time. In the world of thus cutthroat family, where power is a currency and every decision can make or break them, they stop at nothing in their relentless pursuit of dominance. The show really makes you question where your own moral compass lies and how far you would go to protect your own interests. What's also amazing about Succession is how it mixes intense drama with biting humor. The witty dialogues and clever writing always catch you by surprise, jumping between shocking moments and dark humor.

The first season might have been a bit slow, but once the story takes off the tension just keeps building and building with each episode. I'm really glad they decided to wrap the show up at its peak instead of dragging out the story for the sake of ratings.
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10/10
One of the best shows ever made
alepinvestimenti10 January 2024
Literally my favourite drama show. I am into business so I absolutely adored all the family business dinamics. The dialogues are out of this world, I can see it's the same writer as Peep Show (my favourite comedy of all time).

This is a must must watch, plot, characters are incredible. A mention to the soundtrack, the music, absolute masterclass. Maybe the best intro song in a show I've ever heard. Soooo solemn, engaging.

It sets the mood so perfectly, you're instantly hooked. It's like a magnet pulling you into the whole vibe of the show. Total masterclass!

If you've not watched it yet, do yourself a favour and go for it.
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10/10
Absolutely masterful TV entertainment
kiwi123456721 February 2024
I enjoyed every minute of this show, although it took me 1-2 episodes to get into it. But that's the case for me with most shows, as every character is new etc. But after episode 2 I was hooked. It simply was a pleasure to witness such beautiful writing being paired with magnificent acting performances. Especially since acting in this case means playing very unlikeable characters.

Also I feel like the soundtrack is underrated: I just love that this one theme is being picked up and interpreted differently again and again. Had goosebumps so many times.

Overall outstanding show, would definitely rewatch again some time in the future!
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10/10
EXTRA-ORDIN-ARY!! Masterclass of performative talent, direction, scriptwriting and... MUSIC!
maria-ricci-19838 October 2019
Everything in this show is fantastic. Second season is even better than the first, if this could be possible.

From the mesmerizing title score by Nicholas Brittell (Chopin of the 21st century) to the tremendous, really tremendous performance by Brian Cox (he deserves every award for his composition of Roy Logan). But then every character... I had never watched Jeremy Strong before, and I have to say his Kendall is, as another reviewer said here, tragically fascinating both with empathy and pity. Kudos! And Nicholas Braun as grandnephew Craig-Greg is a most welcome box of surprises (is he a naive fast-learner making his way through the game, or a machiavellic master chess player?) The casting people have made an impeccable, perfect choice for every character in the show.

Very complex characters, intriguing plot even with the cards on the table, outstanding pace. Don't miss this show redolent of quality, skill, intelligence and theatrical tension. Some of the episodes have been remarkable jaw-droppers!
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10/10
A Masterful Family Drama
nicokautto23 March 2024
Wow! Just wow! This is the best series that I have watched since game of thrones even though we all know how that ended. This was a masterful family drama throughout the whole show and even though at first it felt slow. When the family drama begins it definitely shines bright.

Succesion as a series is also a comedy which is really funny, but it never makes it so the viewer can't take it seriously. Since the series is written masterfully and the actors do an outstanding job giving justice to the amazing script. Truly great performances throughout. With alot of standout performances. No bad performances to be found.

The ending though divisive is a great ending for the characters I have learned to care for. Great television and the pinnacle of prestige tv.
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10/10
Prepare to be Gripped and Nervous!
thuwaibahazman23 February 2024
"Succession" isn't just a show. It's a mind-bending journey through the lavish world of the Roy family. With its slick writing and electrifying performances, each episode serves up a delicious blend of drama and intrigue. From the cunning patriarch Logan to the rebellious Kendall, the characters ooze charisma and complexity, keeping you hooked with every twist and turn. Buckle up for a wild ride filled with power plays, scandals, and unexpected betrayals.

I haven't been this nervous watching a TV show in ages! It's a rollercoaster of drama and suspense that kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. If you're looking for a series to get your heart racing, THIS IS IT!
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6/10
One season show
SirNotVerySmart21 November 2023
Honestly i already seen same reviews as mine.

People just don't get it why is there more than one season?

We see all characters in first season we see who they are.

And narrative for 2/3/4 season is just "Hey we gonna do same stuff over and over again but in the end of season we do BIG BETREYAL so in new season we will start doing same thing we were doing at the start of previous season" Plot wise all seasons are the same. No character growth nothing new to the table.

Even main "firms" are the same. They fight for the same stuff over and over again with "BIG PLOT TWIST" at the end of season to justify starting over.

Season 1 is good.

But if you watcted season 1 = you basically watched all 4 of them.
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3/10
Groundhog Day
shanayneigh7 June 2023
Warning: Spoilers
It looks good and is very well made, but my God is it repetitive. The central conflict is established immediately, and doesn't change throughout the series.

Every scene is a variation of the ones that came before it. Seriously, you could lift entire dialogues from season 4 and insert them as is into season 1, and vice versa, without it having any real effect. Even after Logan dies. Because it is always about the same thing. "I want to be boss!" "No *I* want to be boss!" "Dad said I should take over!" "No dad said *I* should take over!" "Dad, aren't I the best suited to take over?"

After a while this show felt almost like a postmodern experiment, because just about every episode is the same. Sure, some extraneous things change - they go to Italy, they go to Norway etc. - but it's always about the same thing.

There's really no character development to speak of, they all end up where they started. Sure, Culkin has a crying scene and mopes around in the last couple of episodes, but it's a stretch to call that character development.

The acting is good for the most part, but they lean too heavily on Culkin and the mentally challenged country bumpkin cousin as comic reliefs. The problem is that neither character is as funny as the writers and producers want us to believe. I don't know whether to blame the writers - who have obviously binged Veep - or Culkin's delivery, but his supposedly snappy one-liners soar as lead balloons. I'm certainly not offended by them, but they simply don't work.

The problem with this is that the constant - and failed - attempts at comedy effectively undercuts the drama.

How this show lasted more than one season is beyond me.
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