The One (I) (2021) User Reviews

Like the idea but the focus is on the wrong thing

[anna-anicic · 6/10 · 13 March 2021]

Wish it was a bit less crime/ business drama, which is boring, and instead more sci-fi scenarios of the technology surrounding matching and its consequences. Like we get it, it's a corporate thing, but we don't want to see meetings and their boring business relationships to each other. The real juicy stuff is in how the world would be affected by a matching program and what could go wrong.

Give us less CSI and more Black Mirror.

Pretty enjoyable

[rklemm05 · 8/10 · 13 March 2021]

For the first time in a long time, I don't understand the bad critics. I binge-watched it in a day and never was I bored. The plot and sub-plots are very interesting, it's well-acted, well written, what's not to like?

The One Black Mirror missed

[aleeward · 7/10 · 29 March 2021]

This series was captivating from the start as it explored a question that is often asked. Is there "The One" out there for everyone? The reason I am not rating higher is because there is a huge missed opportunity to explore the concept much deeper.

The science is only touched upon to a small degree which means we are left with an ordinary crime drama. Although it has interesting characters, smart storyline and good acting, there is so much potential that could have made this rival any black mirror episode.

The momentum has been lost so a second season would hopefully reignite the initial intrigue and focus more on the science of attraction.

7/10

[Hellooo1234321 · 13 March 2021]

I almost passed this series because of the bad reviews, but honestly it's worth a watch if you like series connected to literally science and you like fiction and a good plot. It's a good series where it shows how greedy people can be and are willing to surpass morality for it. Good actors and good storyline and it's not boring at all. I'm watching episode 5 at the moment.

Edit: watched all episodes, it was worth a watch and interesting storylines. I hope The One will be renewed for a season 2.

Decent futuristic thriller

[smoratti · 7/10 · 12 March 2021]

Episode 1 was like an extended black mirror episode crossed with a British detective drama. Acting was fine, and will definitely watch to the end. My only reservation is that the story arc at the moment seems predictable - hope it throws some curveballs.

Exceeded my expectations

[fahadlateef · 6/10 · 22 March 2021]

Wasn't expecting much out of it, I ended up binge watching it.

The good the bad, the one

[chris-j-chuba · 7/10 · 14 March 2021]

Good sci-fi uses futuristic technology to challenge social norms by giving us choices we never had before. This is good. The bad. As others pointed out, in order to make the choice as difficult as possible, they stretch the premise to the point of ... oh come on, no. Biological markers to match two people that find each other extraordinarily attractive? yes. But to say they are the only person in the entire world you can feel this type of connection with? no. The one. They could have fixed this by saying, '99.9% of people are in the 4 - 10 range in attractiveness to you but there are a small number of 100's, people that just exceed what you can see in a picture.

If you can get over the premise there are some interesting story lines. I found the protagonist intriguing enough, she's strong, unapologetically determined, and her fall into criminality is believable and gradual. There is a side story of a wife who finds her husband's 'one' in order to make certain he never finds her. Maybe I'm a bad guy but I found the self-fulfilling prophecy amusing.

same premise as Soulmates with murder mystery/police procedural for good measure

[spasticfreakshow · 7/10 · 14 March 2021]

I never read the book, so I went into this with an open mind. The sci-fi element is more just the premise in this, and less, an overlying theme - so if you're a sci-fi geek like me and not a fan of The Killing or Police Procedurals...you might still like this if you enjoy drama. I disagree with other reviewers - the acting was fine. The lead was written to be wooden for much of it, but...I found the drama aspect engaging enough, personally. However, if you loved the premise bc you're a romantic, then watch Soulmates AND read The Law of Love by Laura Esquivel. Was it a bit predictable? I found there to be character development that surprised me, but no major plot twists, so yes, a bit predictable. But I felt they handled the romantic entanglements more realistically than Soulmates. If such a technology were ever invented...that romance doesn't always work out no matter what. Some happy endings, sure, but this is not Hallmark.

Good watch. Felt like a long black mirror episode.

[erez-19 · 8/10 · 1 December 2021]

I thought it was actually good. A very clever way of story telling. It felt like a long black mirror episode. Which is a good thing.

In general. Good.

My horoscope suddenly seems scientifically credible

[cathode-94655 · 7/10 · 15 March 2021]

I thought it was admirable that the cast managed to keep straight faces talking 'science' on The One. No matter how fast you rattle the lines off we hear the nonsense. Science fiction draws a line around concepts you need to accept within the context of the story and that usually feels ok. But this series seemed to be trying to make us believe its ideas were feasible and I found that irritating. Totally ignoring the fact that if it's one shared gene there could be massive age differences between the two ones. Conveniently everyone was equally hot, about the same age and prepared to leave their homelands shirking all current responsibilities leaving a wake of destruction to be with 'the one'. Hilarious.

Spoiler alert, finally someone asked the question I'd been asking myself since episode one and the answer means Season 2 will probs be called A Few and season 3 The Multitude etc In spite of irritations with the storyline, I loved the leads and found this series entertaining.

Nothing like the book

[punkokael · 2/10 · 12 March 2021]

One of the best books I've read in ages and the show is nothing like it. I don't understand why the writers would change such a great story. Do not recommend the show at all. Read the book instead.

It exceeded my expectations

[iGlad · 9/10 · 13 March 2021]

I was very pleasantly surprised by this great show which apparently is based on a book. The main protagonist is how can I say a driven individual. Yes the characters are not all well rounded but they didn't need to be as we learnt about them during the show.

The idea of being 'the one' was kind of crazy and nobody would buy it in real life or would they?

I do hope there a season 2 as the two female adversaries do create a nice bit of onscreen antagonism.

Concept is decent. Actors made it a 7 for me.

[jamesgreynolds-63629 · 7/10 · 18 March 2021]

Concept is decent. Actors made it a 7 for me. Not the most stimulating show I've ever seen but the idea that "the perfect match" comes with consequences makes this a philosophical implication. Sub stories are modern drama and societal issues and relationships. Fun show, decent plot, good looking actors.

OK to have in the background while you're putting the washing away...

[jenniejones-75346 · 5/10 · 12 March 2021]

I'm on episode 3...Great concept. Badly acted. Main character is like a wooden Disney villain. It's OK, but I wouldn't rush out to tell my friends to watch it.

An interesting premise that hosts a crime drama

[nancyldraper · 7/10 · 16 August 2021]

An interesting premise that hosts a crime drama. The acting was a little stiff but once you get to the underlying hook I think you will be fascinated with how it unravels. I was. I give this series a7 (good) out of 10. {Crime Drama}

Not bad. Probably done on a tight budget. Yes the book is always better...but in the instance...considerably better original storylines that were more believable.

[irenelaf · 6/10 · 15 March 2021]

The book was fantastic so this was a disappointment. The plot was often contrived. Too many tropes. There was a crime committed near the end that made me roll my eyes...it's only purpose to eliminate someone in a stupid way.

Great show

[nikosvl-99922 · 7/10 · 17 March 2021]

Hoping for season 2 🤞there are so many questions to be answered.

Solid

[KiraSC · 7/10 · 20 March 2021]

I'm not sure what some people here are smoking but the show is pretty solid. At about episode 4 it really picks up and its pretty hard not to binge the rest. Yes, the acting is mediocre but I'd say Hannah Ware serves the role pretty well.

Gripping

[shameijer · 8/10 · 14 March 2021]

Better than most Netflix series released in a long time. I really don't understand a lot of the negative comments; camera work is steady and decent, as well as acting. Characters are a little too flat, though. If you expect science fiction, you'll be disappointed. Otherwise it's a gripping relational crime/drama series around a very interesting and plausible futuristic theme. Absolutely deserves a 2nd season.

The book was better

[jennievane · 7/10 · 19 April 2021]

I totally LOVED the book. The characters, the character development and all the twists and turns.

I wished the script would have been closer to the book because it would have made it so much more interesting, and I now have only more questions than answers.

I'd recommend the book over the series.

Strange, mixed-up and weak

[ericfoggitt-67416 · 3/10 · 12 March 2021]

The idea is great - this test to find your perfect partner, but the plot gets lost in side-stories and back-flashes, all served up with some wooden acting that would make soap opera fans cringe.

Worth the watch

[vacila · 9/10 · 20 March 2021]

Interesting idea, plot sucks you in more and more with every episode when the story unravels.

The advertisement makes it seem decent..

[ts-0000 · 22 March 2021]

Unfortunately it gets beyond lost,in the side stories & flash backs of involving crimes. I would of enjoyed a bit more if the premise,which was finding the one & how even that can go wrong. So basically it's about a deceptive female & covering up lies,to stay successful in her business venture. The main female comes across,rather wooden & more! Just makes it hard,feeling any connection to her character. Could of been a great series if the storyline,went in a bit different direction. Won't say to not check it out,but felt it dragged & leaves you just wanting to see its ending.

I don't understand the bad reviews

[hallou_93 · 7/10 · 14 March 2021]

If you didn't read the book you will really enjoy it. I don't understand all the bad reviews, happy that I watched it and made my one opinion 😊

High Hopes - Dashed

[bosporan · 3/10 · 15 March 2021]

This show is such a disappointment. The premise is a great concept and my expectations were high. The execution, however, leaves a lot to be desired - plodding pace, extensive exposition, comatose characters with no chemistry. This last point is particularly damning given the show's subject matter.

Perhaps I am being too harsh given my hope for the plotline, but this is a substandard show.