Pantheon (2022–2023) User Reviews

Best Sci-Fi of 2022

[keikoyoshikawa · 9/10 · 20 September 2022]

Watching "Pantheon" is like reading "Neuromancer" for the first time - I found myself totally engrossed in the world and story, and eager to find out what happens to both the main and supporting characters. Few movies, series, or books can do that for me (looking at you, "LoTR RoP").

While the animation could be better, I'm willing to overlook it because the story is simply that good. Compared to, for example, Ghost in the Shell: SAC 2nd GIG, whose later episodes had really good graphics but lacked in storytelling and character development, Pantheon is so much more thought-provoking and philosophical.

I never read the short stories by Ken Liu on which this series is based, but given that the author has a producer credit, I am confident that the entire series will be excellent. Without giving spoilers, for me what stood out is that the technology described in Pantheon is very much plausible - given some more years of research. But as Isaac Asimov said, "The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom."

That, I think, encapsulates nicely the series. If you enjoy cyberpunk or apocalyptic stories, then I'm sure that you'll enjoy Pantheon.

It's dead

[APolygons2-25753 · 9/10 · 22 January 2023]

Wow, this is arguably the best sci-fi of 2020s. With the potential to go down in history and be something truly special. With clunky yet still clean visuals, great music, and top notch writing.

Easily one of my favorite western animations, and one that I truly looked forward to and was waiting to one day call it a masterpiece.

But they had to go ahead and kill it.

And I don't just mean "not make more"

they actually killed the series. They are not only NOT releasing the already finished. I repeat, ALREADY FINISHED, season 2, they also removed season 1 from their streaming platform to not have to pay the creators going forward.

That is absolutely horrible and an insult to everyone involved. Hope this show gets bought by a company that deserves it.

Easily one of the best Series of 2022

[drael64 · 9/10 · 8 September 2022]

This show deals with heady sci-fi concepts in a way that is fully grounded in relatable human drama. The soundtracking, art style, voicing and pacing are all completely on point. It also incorporates a lot of digital imagery and connects with the online world a fair bit.

With that ground start, we can expect it to go deeper down the rabbit hole as it goes. Honestly excited for every new episode.

I won't spoil what the central premise is, you just have to watch to find out. BTW, isn't this new 600 character requirement a joy to deal with lol? Anyway, 9/10 really quality stuff, and I don't normally go for animation.

A hidden gem

[soeprijo19 · 9/10 · 18 September 2022]

This series is absolutely thrilling in every episode. For those who think that live action is always better than anime/cartoon, think again. I don't think that this series could be done good enough on live action, especially some of the UI thing.

Our protagonist Maddie, a common high school girl and Caspian, a college boy who's a software prodigy, are not superheroes. They have flaws but they're not not stupid either. They tried to find out (as we as the audience too) what's really going on with their lives, especially Caspian after the 4th episode. It's going to get really interesting following Caspian's storyline. So get your pop corn and enjoy the show, every Thursday night!

Amazing 9/10.

So good on so many levels, highly recommend

[prestonistrevour · 10/10 · 8 September 2022]

This show is smart, emotional and entertaining. There are a few interconnected side stories going on that make me excited to figure out the big picture.

I noticed there are so many details and small moments that reflect our real modern life. Genuine uses of technology in daily life byt things that I have never seen shown before in film or television. These small touches made the story feel grounded in reality even though it is science fiction in the end. Highly recommend the show so far (2 episodes). Also cool to see the dedication to William Hurt. I did not know that he had worked on the show before his death. RIP.

This show took me by surprise

[josefmouri · 10/10 · 3 September 2022]

I found myself being hooked in just minutes into the show and I can't remember the last time that happened and I can't seem to get enough after just two episodes.

The plot, the style, the writing, the characters, the overall atmosphere, the twists and the intrigue is just top-notch, finally a show with proper writing with proper dialogue, no politics or forced social policies for the sake of pleasing mainstream media, investment sources and rating agencies, just brilliant storytelling.

I won't include any details about the show, I really see no point in that, all I will say is this, give it a shot, you will not regret and I can't wait for more episodes.

One of the best shows that isn't getting enough attention

[ShadesofOblivion356 · 9/10 · 16 September 2022]

The show has great animation with an equally great storyline filled with suspense and intriguing mysteries. Pantheon is a show that deals with artificial intelligence, conspiracies, and what it means to be human, and it does all through interconnected storylines with Maddie, a girl dealing with the loss of her father, who worked in computer technology and Caspian, a hacker who spends most of his time on the internet looking up mysteries to distract from his dysfunctional family life. That's all that can be said because it's one of those shows that needs to be seen for oneself to see how amazing it is. My only wish is that AMC advertised the show more so general audiences would know about it.

OMFG!

[scorpiota-84245 · 10/10 · 20 December 2023]

I just finished this show like 5 mins ago (both seasons). And OMFG what a show! Please for the love of everything watch this damn show! This was an epic tale about technology and friendship, but at the end of everything it is a tale about true love and the bonds that hold everyone together.

(This 600 word thing is a little annoying). What can I saw without giving away some of the plot and story.

Season 1 is pretty good. After watching that, I'd rate this show a 9/10, but after season 2 (again OMFG) this show easily gets a 100, 000/10 stars from me.

It was just beautiful!

I'll see y'all in about 100, 000 years.

Challenging Sci-fi cartoon

[Nonuntitled · 8/10 · 2 September 2022]

Pantheon, Created by Craig Silverstein. With Paul Dano, William Hurt, Taylor Schilling, Lara Pulver, if given enough time and patience, the vast web of the overlapping ideas in "Pantheon" might solidify into a deeply satisfying sci-fi story. The intersection of technology and humanity has been a theme of fiction, film, and even television for generations now. A well animated show with a very good storyline. One of the only shows that I've enjoyed on AMC+. Some of them episodes struggle a bit with the occasionally over-written slice of dialogue about what it means to be a human being.'Pantheon' Brings Sci-Fi Nightmare to Vivid Life.

Binged the entire season in two days.

[LordCommandar · 7/10 · 23 October 2022]

So I downloaded s1 and started watching ep1, ep2, ep3 and when I look at my clock, it was already 12:51 am and because I work from home and don't punch a clock (thank you Jesus) I decided to watch ep 4 and then go to bed. The next day I finish watching eps 5-8 and I realized I'd binged the entire season in two days. An excellent blend of sci-fi mixed with animation expounding on the realms of the digital world and humanity. I did find Caspian aka the cloned Stephen Nostrom a little melodramatic but I definitely got his character. Ep 8 ended kinda cliff hanger-ish so I'm hoping that s2 will give the audience something to look forward to. So far so good......fingers crossed.

So far so good

[ticalisoul · 10/10 · 2 September 2022]

Crisp animation. Intriguing storyline, sorta like a mix of Transcendence and a Black Mirror episode. The coder logic so far is also on point, the writers definitely did their research. Excited to see how this series takes off, from the teaser it definitely seems to go to some wild places in later episodes. The first 2 episodes are still deeply rooted in reality, and I have faith in the source material from Ken Liu and his ability to create intelligent science fiction.

The cast of voice actors are also very talented, so happy to see William Hurt attached to it as well (RIP). His role as Professor Hobby in A. I was very memorable and coincidentally was one of the first movies to ignite my love for the sci-fi genre.

great subject, great story, great actors bun the animation is cheap ... and flat

[achim-vfr · 7/10 · 24 October 2022]

Someone said: "While the animation could be better, I'm willing to overlook it because the story is simply that good...." . No, I am not willing. Who did the animation? The Cow and Chicken team from Cartoon Network?

The shadows are wrong, the depth of field is wrong, perspective is wrong, the movement is not natural, emotions of the charaters is missing, colors are bland, fire is wrong, smoke is wrong, cars are like 2D carton boards

it's actually ironic that you represented the captured AI minds as a flat body that bended like paper. Actually the whole animation is flat. So the avatars now are twice as flat !

wasted potential

[angelorwez · 2/10 · 19 March 2024]

This show joins a long list of shows with immense potential...but fails in the execution...

but still its very painful and sad to see...such great story be desecrated disrespected mishandled...it's just annoying and frustrating...

the hardest part about creating a tv show...is finding the initial idea...the actual story...what story will you tell...so when you find stories like these...rich stories...it's really sad to see them go to waste...

the hard part is already done for you...just actualize it...find good writers who can pen down a decent script...it's not that hard surely!

The most annoying thing about this show...is how it just goes round in circles...it's never going anywhere...it takes three steps forward in plot...and the next 20 scenes is just it taking another 5 steps backward...

it's also guilty of trying to shoe in cliffhanger every episode...this trope is soooo annoying!!...we're soo past this as a civilisation jesus!!...the audience is tired of this!...just tell the story let it flow naturally...don't set anything up...you tend to write yourself into a corner that way...

wasted potential...

Brilliant 4 Episodes

[tlove21 · 10/10 · 20 September 2022]

It is brilliant, impactful, and very well done. It was a great surprise for me, and I can't wait to watch more. So far the 4 episodes are top notch, and dialog is not wasted. It is all well written, and the cast is so well done. The pacing is also well done, and it has some mystery to discover. I can't wait to see what comes next, and I recommend this for anyone who enjoys a bit of science and mystery. I gave it a 10 for the mere fact it is better written than a majority of the TV shows on all streaming platforms. It simply goes to show that if you don't force creativity it will come naturally and that is what makes this anime so easy to digest. No agendas, no forced identity pushing, just simple story telling.

This show is on another level entirely

[angladafrank · 10/10 · 24 January 2024]

Watch the first episode and I was like "there is something there, I want to keep going" but clearly I wasn't expecting how great this show is.

Not only it is totslly relevant to the time we live in and the rise of AI but it is also a damn great story that hits it on the nail and won't leave you unscaved.

Prepare for a rollercoaster full of action, emotions and mind bending moments a la Interstellar. I truly believe this is a must watch and probably one of the very best show I ever watched (certainly the best animation series).

This show will stay with you long after you watched it and you even might want to return to it to pick-up on new things. On top of that the voice talent is on point from start to finish and the animation great.

Can't recommend this strongly enough, whatr are you doing still reading this? Go and watch Pantheon instead!

Digital Divinity: 'Pantheon' Explores the New Realm of Virtual Immortality

[DionysusReborn · 10/10 · 27 November 2023]

"Pantheon" emerges as a groundbreaking addition to the realm of adult animated science fiction, offering a nuanced and profound exploration of digital immortality through its central concept of "Uploaded Intelligence." The series is a tapestry of rich narratives, thoughtfully entwining the lives of its characters amidst a backdrop of technological advancement and ethical conundrums.

At its heart, Maddie Kim's journey, marked by her resilience and technological prowess, resonates deeply, reflecting the emotional complexities of dealing with loss and the allure of digital resurrection. Alongside her, Caspian Keyes' mysterious origins and the poignant tale of David Kim add layers of moral ambiguity and psychological depth. These characters navigate a world teetering on the edge of a digital revolution, their stories highlighting the profound impacts of technology on human relationships and society.

The series stands out for its unique blend of suspenseful storytelling, emotional depth, and philosophical inquiry. It challenges viewers to contemplate the ramifications of extending life beyond the physical realm, delving into themes of identity, consciousness, and the ethical boundaries of technological innovation. The animation style, rich in detail and expression, complements the narrative's complexity, bringing to life the show's futuristic vision and its underlying emotional currents.

In conclusion, "Pantheon" is not just a visually stunning piece of animation; it is a thought-provoking odyssey into the potential futures of human connection and identity in an increasingly digital world. Its intricate storytelling, combined with a profound thematic exploration, makes it a landmark series in the adult animated genre.

The Bestest Sci-fi Fantasy series

[monuthube · 10/10 · 19 November 2022]

I think this is one of the best-animated series I ever watched. The story is so grounded and also relatable that you can easily compare it with the real world. Literally, there is a character inspired from the real world (you will understand once you watch it) which is definitely a surprise for the Indian audience.

I mean the concept of the series is amazing but also the twist in the storyline is unpredictable and on top of that the animation style. I liked the animation style they picked for this type of story, kind of reminds me of Ben 10: Alien force. Which is best for adult-fantasy-fiction stories. And...Oh maaann, all the music used in this series adds another level of depth. My favorites are "Man or Monster" by Sam Tinnesz ft. Zayde Wolf, "Don't Dream It's Over" by The Rescue and GRMLN's "27 Kids".

Some scenes are crazy to imagine, like how you will visualize the internet world. To make it believable, they used a fantasy theme, I loved that. Definitely, makers took advantage/freedom of using 2D animation. Also the reference to the cult classic anime movie "Ghost in the shell"... was cool.

The best part of this series is the story. It tells about death, mortality, UI (way more powerful than AI), and cloning, it's just crazy. The story is based on short stories written by Ken Liu. After watching this series and the "Good Hunting" episode from Netflix's "Love Death Robot", I can say that he is a really great master of writing sci-fi with fantasy theme stories (my favorite genre). Also, I'm reading his novel "The Grace of Kings", right now I'm on 1/4 of this story and enjoying this as my bedtime reading.

I wish to see the story of this series expand by keeping the inspiration from real-world geopolitics. Also, I think the Pantheon series has its perfect ending... nothing to expect more but still, I can say that the climax was unbelievably great which makes it a bit emotional (touchy).

If you like watching stories based on AI, the internet, cyber (security/attack), and fantasy genre, then this is definitely a must-watch series for you... I believe you don't wanna miss this!

Where you can watch this? This is AMC+ original series but is also available on Prime Videos.

Looking good for now

[hotnindza · 10/10 · 14 September 2022]

Intriguing and emotional story, and they didn't get "too deep" into the mystery. To explain - many shows go too deep from the very beginning and then either become ridiculous and overdone, or cancelled (think "Lost"). SO far this show has the right balance of reality and fantasy, so it has capacity for a meaningful ending.

The animation is good, the atmosphere is spot on, and the soundtrack is great.

Although it is animated, it is not a kids show (many themes and scenes are not very suitable for younger audience).

If it is kept in one or two seasons, it will become classic.

I recommend it to sci fi audience.

Update - after the struggle with season 2 release, we finally are able to see the ending of the show. As I wished, it was finished after season 2, and magnificently!

My sincerest recommendation, this is not something anyone should miss!

Fantastic sci fi that would have deserved at least 2 more seasons!

[johnsv-04246 · 10/10 · 27 October 2023]

This was a spectacular show that surpassed my expectations, especially in the season finale episode. It went from 9/10 to a 100/10!

The ideas presented in here, are the products of decades of philosophical debates about the quality of the human existence.

I have experienced similar ideas only in the books of Philip K. Dick.

Anyone who loves quality science fiction regardless of the medium, MUST watch this show.

The animation was good, the voice talents were excellent, but the script, the ideas are those, that really make you think and theorize and hope and damn your existence for not living 100000 years later.

Well, I can always hope...

Good until the last episode

[Snootz · 7/10 · 28 February 2024]

I saw this as a 16-episode (45 minutes each) series. It starts off slow, almost boring, then becomes very interesting very fast. It carries the plot and story all the way through, having numerous twists and turns as the story unfolds. This is one of those series that actually needs to be 16 episodes long to tell the entire story. Everything in the series held up well, was well-written and excellently produced.

But then we get down to the very final, 16th episode... and the storyline becomes very complex and convoluted. It's not impossible to follow what's going on, but it just seems way out of sync with the rest of the series. Things start moving very quickly (literally), too much happens all at once, and normal characters very suddenly become very not-normal characters.

The result is a show that many will proclaim to be brilliant cerebral science fiction, but for me simply tried to cram far too much into the last episode and thereby somewhat derailed the series. I found the final episode contrived and disappointing, bombarding the viewer with too much too fast and expecting the viewer to simply ride the roller coaster. I believe the final part of the ride was too full of itself. They needed to slow the roller coaster down quite a bit and deliver a less-uber-existential conclusion.

One of the greatest sci-fi's I've ever seen.

[ninjaseh · 10/10 · 17 January 2024]

The series is now completed and the ending left me with such a level of thought provoking existential dread that I needed to marinate my feelings about consciousness, religion and the meaning of life for about a whole week afterwards.

STORY: 10/10. The reasonably simple concept of uploaded intelligence is explored in such a well thought out way, commenting on the social, political and metaphysical consequences of such technology while also pacing plot points that drives a sense of urgency and impact throughout the first season that continues into the second season, culminating in a crazy, beautiful yet bittersweet finale. The pacing does get a bit rushed in the last two episodes, likely due to time constraints and lack of a third season, but overall I wouldn't change the ending at all.

CHARACTERS: 9/10. Each character is wonderfully crafted, written and voice-acted.

ANIMATION: 8/10. The art style is perhaps not for everyone but the story, writing and dialogue are more central to the show's delivery. The few action scenes are well animated and creative in the way they depict and realise a virtual world.

Awesome story. Very poor animation.

[zorrek · 6/10 · 4 December 2022]

1st and FOREMOST! Movies and TV are a VISUAL medium. That fact that Pantheon has an amazing SciFi story is measurably let down by horrid animation. Let me correct that. The Movie is not "let down" by the animation it is "SHOT DOWN" by it. Ratatatatatatatatat, Swoom, dive, imapact with the ground at great velocity and massive explosion !!!!!!!.

Most primary schoolers could paint more detailed backgrounds. Unnatural vehicle movements ... it goes on. The upside like I said is it has a great story and excellent voice acting including the great and now late William Hurt. There are a couple of story line jumps but overall it flows quite well and I may have mentioned before an awesome story!

It's a terrible shame they didn't spend some money on proper animation!

A Tedious Viewing Experience

[fournisseur-amazon · 1/10 · 3 November 2023]

I recently watched "Pantheon," and I must admit that it was a rather boring and uneventful journey. While I understand that different shows cater to various tastes and preferences, "Pantheon" left me feeling completely underwhelmed.

The storyline of "Pantheon" felt sluggish and lacked any significant plot twists or engaging elements that would keep me interested. It seemed like the writers were struggling to come up with fresh ideas, and as a result, the narrative became stagnant and predictable.

One of the major issues was the characters in "Pantheon." They were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it difficult to connect with or care about their fates. The lackluster performances from the cast of "Pantheon" further exacerbated the problem, leaving the viewer without any emotionally resonant moments.

The pacing of "Pantheon" was another issue. Many episodes felt unnecessarily drawn out, with prolonged scenes that added little to the overall story. The slow pace of "Pantheon" made it challenging to maintain interest, and I often found myself checking the time in hopes that the story would eventually pick up.

Additionally, the visuals and production quality of "Pantheon" were lackluster, failing to compensate for the weak plot and character development. "Pantheon" lacked innovation in terms of cinematography and effects, adding to the overall sense of monotony.

In summary, "Pantheon" was a tedious viewing experience that failed to captivate or entertain. While some may appreciate a slower and more deliberate storytelling style, this series did not offer the depth or intrigue required to sustain interest. I would recommend potential viewers to explore other options with more engaging content.

Life Changing

[cnlxo- · 10/10 · 10 February 2024]

I may be dramatic, but the ending was something I'd never expected.

This series had me so invested that I even dreamt about it. I honestly never have been this invested in an animated series, but it was the concept of it that made it so interesting. It had both of my favorite genres in it: romance and science fiction.

The last two episodes had me in shambles tho, because I was so confused and mad on why they made a time skip, but the ending was so satisfying, cause my only hope throughout this whole series, was for Maddie and Caspian to end up together, and we got exactly that (I guess??).

I still have to process the ending and search some things up, cause I'm still mildly confused about a few things.

A majestic masterpiece

[calahao · 10/10 · 15 October 2023]

So against all odds the second season of Pantheon has been released. Considering it was already made I guess it was a matter of when it would be released, but that doesn't diminuish how dirty Amazon did this wonderful show.

The whole series is what I can describe as "light cyberpunk", since it mostly takes place within close to our own era (aside from the very last three episodes). It strikes a balance of grimdark with a positive view of the future, making it not only a very realistic and honest show but also incredibly unpredictable. Again, the last three episodes will just blow your mind.

Give this show a go. It deserves it.