Arcadia (2023– ) User Reviews

Visually stunning, strong plot with unexpected touching moments

[sVkmns · 7/10 · 21 March 2023]

In Belgium the series is received with very mixed reviews, mostly because Belgian people like to complain about things, especially when it concerns something outside the comfort zone, or actually very close. And also when taxpayer's money is involved... But I haven't seen too many argumented opinions. So, I'll try to write an honest review of the series, especially aimed at those who doubt, but are open to try something new.

Although the world in which it takes place lacks some depth, the plot becomes more mysterious and gripping towards the end with a massive cliffhanger as the ultimate reward. Along the way, the series frequently tests your emotions and also inspires you to think. Despite having seen similar dystopian stories before, some social and technological parameters in this near-future world seem frighteningly close, especially at the rate where we humans allow technology to enter our lives for the benefit of convenience and luxury, no matter the potential privacy rights that are given up.

Considering it's made by Dutch and Belgian production companies, the sets, costumes and environments are impressive, and the deliberate choice for an 80s technology design only adds to the visually appealing cinematography. Maybe the choice for old fashioned looking technology is also there to make viewers feel at ease, as the use of technology based on things we use today, might scare people more easily because of its familiarity. At least now, we still have a sort of 'far away from reality'-feeling.

As the series is broadcasted in both the Netherlands and Belgium, some characters may come across as stiff because they avoid specific dialects and some might even look a bit unnatural. However, this does not detract from the icing on the cake: the outstanding performances of the main cast, especially by Lynn Van Royen, who convincingly portrays a special needs character that masterfully tugs at the viewer's heartstrings in expected and unexpected ways. Also praise for the young Dutch actress Ellie de Lange for her emotionally strong and believable performance.

One possible hurdle might be that it takes about three episodes to get into it, so give the series a chance to conquer you and be open to a daring genre that is rarely seen in the Netherlands and especially Belgium, let alone at this level of production. I am already looking forward to the second part.

Not too shabby, at least worth a try

[hrijpstra · 6/10 · 8 May 2023]

Had low expectations going in based of of TV commercials. Remained sceptical throughout first epsiode. Set wise they've basically scraped together every even vaguely brutalist bit of architecture in a 400km radius around Antwerp, which I kinda like to be honest. Kept me wondering, is this supposed to be the future or an alternative timeline of the past? The acting is nothing to write home about, but the story is pretty fun. It's at least refreshing to see and hear a dystopian story in my native Dutch. It's not particularly original, or innovative, but it's consistent and not just cheap thrills. Someone's clearly put in the effort to match the setting, the visuals and the story without going overboard on any of them. It's kept my attention for half the season so far. Still not amazed, but be sure to give it a try, cause it might just grow on you.

Nice sets don't make up for bad acting and direction

[panman3 · 5/10 · 9 April 2023]

Arcadia is an ambitious series with the sets and digital effects effectively creating a dystopian atmosphere. The locations in brutalist style look amazing and are stealing the show. Digital additions like extra floors and walls work like a charm.

Unfortunately that's where the good ends, and the bad and the ugly start.

There seems to have been no money left for proper casting, acting coaches and most importantly enough takes. The acting is bad with most actors performing as if they are reading the lines for the first time from a cardboard somewhere behind the camera. Any self-respecting director would simply request a new take, but real talent can't be faked obviously, neither on director nor actor side.

The toe curlingly bad story is also making the entire show more of a torture than a joy. Been there, done that. Nothing new, nothing original. 'Good artists copy, great artists steal', but the makers did neither properly.

If you don't like the first episode, don't bother to keep watching, waiting for this plane to lift off. It's not happening.

This is great!

[tom992 · 10/10 · 4 April 2023]

I'm a huge fan of dystopian films and series, so I was very surprised at the announcement of this series in my own country. So I started this yesterday and I'm almost at the end. And boy this does not disappoint, I think some people are shortminded and just don't get it, if it's not your genre than simply don't watch it. Yes it's 'slow' paced but it's certainly not boring at all! It's a dystopian series and also a drama series, it has a vibe that really sucks you into the story from the very first episode. When an episode ends you just want to watch more. I also think it's very well acted by Belgian and dutch actors. It really reminds me of the handmaid's tale and Black mirror. So if you like disntopian sci fi pls enjoy!

Failed to impress

[rearden1 · 4/10 · 26 March 2023]

This TV serles made headlines for its big budget, and proves you need more than money to make an interesting show. The story revolves around people's credit score. Not a very original idea, but could still be interesting if executed well. We see the lives of a family where the father gets sentenced for messing with his daughters credit score. He has to go and leave his family behind. Now we follow the lives of his wife and daughters. Not much happens next. The show is slow, very slow. The acting is poor and the dialogues are very dull. None of the characters are interesting or move you emotionally. The show depicts a dystopian future, but mostly because that future looks so boring and uninteresting.

in scify art direction is everything

[TheKing2 · 8/10 · 26 March 2023]

And this series has everything right. From architecture, safety nudging (deuren sluiten) marketing, even children's books (Lientje is een tientje) the tapistry of detail never stops. EVERYTHING is just right. This level of detail is what netflix and Hollywood completely lost and is only possible in indie or European production. There are no USoA viewers who can appreciate this as they judge video productions by their own narrow standards.

Acting is totally onpar and above. I'm dutch but never realised so much talent in Belgium (Vlamingen that is). A great world is created sometimses Tarkovskian, sometimes GATTACA or Blade Runner. I anticipate a British production of The Wall.

Nice try, didnt work out

[julliet-46506 · 4/10 · 24 March 2023]

The story line could have turned into a nice sci-fi but unfortunatelly besides that everything else went wrong. The acting is poor and reminds you of kids doing an act for a school-play. The environment is 'too well' thought off therefore unbelieveable. It's hard to feel any emotion because nothing seems believeable. I gave it a four because of the efforts taken but the result is more like a two. It really could have been a nice serie to watch with a bit more reality content and some humour. Now its a waiste of time and money. And also a waiste for the very few good actors like Monique. Sorry Johnnythepony, learn and get better.

Well done, thrilling and must see.

[info-980-527623 · 9/10 · 12 April 2023]

Must see because it raises many questions how to act or not to act in a dictatorial regime being chosing between family or obedience to the regime. Maybe a lot of you will say " seen that already" but I already saw a lot of films on this issue though this is different and shows well the personal struggle you make in different circumstances. The setting is dark and grey adding the right sphere for this series with a good music score. Very good acting and you feel involved to each character. I'm looking forward to seeing the next season because there was also a good cliffhanger at the end of the first season.

Dystopian for sure

[hxyhrss · 2/10 · 23 March 2023]

This show was announced to be the most expensive Belgian show ever made (with a little help from our friends). Yet the acting is so appalling, so bad. The story is quiet alright, the actors are not unknown starting actors, so what the hell went wrong? Watching this show (in your native language - Dutch) is like watching a very poorly dubbed Spanish movie. There is no life in these characters, no emotions, no nothing.

But if you can muster the bad acting and horrible lines, please watch. Realise that that world is hopefully not our future, although we are silently moving into that direction.

And did we really need the Dutch ;-)

Awesome series

[nitacox · 9/10 · 21 May 2023]

One of the best Flemish/Dutch series ever!!!! I am not really a fan of Belgian series but this is mind blowing. Very interesting characters, good story, beautiful decor, good actors,... The series keeps you busy thinking about it, with lots of surprises inside the storyline. You can talk and talk and talk about it for hours, how things go, what theory is behind everything. Never a bored moment. The ending episode is amazing, just keeps you with your mouth open, surprised,...and waiting and counting down to the next season. Arcadia is a must watch serie. I hope there will be a season two as soon as possible.

You need more than money

[jeroen-106 · 2/10 · 2 April 2023]

• Cold show. I don't feel a heart and soul.

• Really poor acting. It feels like they don't even believe themselves. It feels completely unconvincing, local theatre. A lot of exposition in dialogue. Sometimes robotic, sometimes childish.

• It doesn't offer anything more than Black Mirror, concepts this show heavily borrows from. Nothing creatively is done with the ingredients they had.

This demonstrates budget isn't everything. I've seen indie movies with a sub $20K budget that captivated me because the writing, direction and acting was excellent and they knew how to avoid spending a lot. The lack of budget WAS the strength because they had to rely on the very foundational concepts of cinema. Here I see lots of money wasted, and a product that won't really sell overseas. Such a shame.

Unfortunately the real talent to produce fantasy or sci-fi is not in Europe.

Well produced, slow paced. The first season has a cliffhanger ending, so another season is probably on its way

[andredejongh · 8/10 · 24 March 2023]

This is a well produced series... it is slow paced. It probably would have worked much better in an 8 million euro 3 hour film in stead of the 8 million euro 8 part series which it is now.... The sets are beautiful and believable. Lynn van Rooyen as Luz is excellent, I bet we will hear from her more in international productions.... the overall cast is quite good. As this first season ends on a cliffhanger, it means that for the viewer the ending is a bit disappointing.... loose strings are not getting tied for us, apparently we need to wait for more information about the who, the what and the why of Arcadia and the main forces pulling the strings in that society.... the storyline overall is quite okay although at points it becomes really too slow. As said, a 3 hour film probably would have given the whole production a bit more umpf.... Arcadia is still worth your while though, although a bit unsatisfying at times. It is very different from the British production Years and Years, which also is about a dystopian society, but within our current time. Years and Years though, is much more rooted in real people, real relationships and it has a real dynamic way of telling a real story with real ideas, real people.... here the ideas are a little bit more philosophical and the characters are more one- (and a half) dimensional.... Though, again: well produced, gorgeous sets and good actors... For season 2 they need to ask Russel T. Davies (the man who wrote Years and Years) for some feedback.

Very good

[esther_angela · 10/10 · 25 April 2023]

Do not believe all the nay-sayers, it is a really good series with very good acting, stunning scenery and a nice well paced story. The Dutch and Belgian language really mix well, it is a joy to watch. There are probably lots of people hating it because there are gay people in it but it only makes the series more believable than most standard series, it is about real people and the actors are very well chosen. The only thing missing is maybe some more background story but maybe this will come later on in the story. I am watching out for a new season that hopefully will soon be there. Do try it!

A complete waste of time . . (and money!)

[deboraey · 1/10 · 23 April 2023]

I am a real SF-fan, living in Belgium, and in my (humble) opinion this series totally sucks! . . .

I believe that science fiction should always try to push our imagination beyond reality. But creating really good SF is no piece of cake, because SCI-FI stories only work if we're kind of "plugged in" for the ride. Anything that may ruin the illusion as a whole, ultimately undermines, diminishes, and in the end totally destroys our fascination for the story.

Now, in this case, why does'n ARCADIA deliver?

First of all the acting (with one or two exceptions!) is really, really poor. Maybe this is due to the story itself, because I sometimes think the actors had problems believing in their character and in the story as a whole.

Secondly the created dystopian environment is totally and unbelievably fake! Think of it: getting a "bad" score for eating sugar (does your "chip" records it or what??), or getting no "real" milk when you have a low score . . . ? Also - probably due to lack of really huge financing - the laughable mix of "retro" elements (motorcars, guns, etc . . ) with more "modern" technologies and architecture. But these combinations are completely unconvincing and sometimes even laughable. On the whole it seems like it is SCI-FI made in the year 1970. And also the locations don't look realistic enough to spark one's imagination. Because all that it is hard to feel any emotion whatsoever because nothing really seems "real" and thus "believable".

And third: the essence of the story is a total cliché, used dozens of times, and usually done in a much better way: a dystopian society in a near-future world, where humans allow technology to enter their lives for the benefit of convenience and luxury, with of course all the excesses of nepotism arising among the people.

Also let's not forget that pretentiousness is also a seductive pitfall when it comes to SCI-FI! And with ARCADIA this is undoubtedly the case.

Bad science fiction - like this really is, let's face it! - can fail in what it means to tell an epic tale, bloating itself with unneeded characters, haphazard world-building, and incoherent plots. Without consistent internal logic, the audience is frustrated by questions it shouldn't need to ask.

This is too bad because terrible science fiction movies fail to be entertaining, forget how to make us wonder, and worst of all, make us question our love for the genre.

Strong performance and well executed interpretation of dystopian society

[ewrh-82493 · 9/10 · 24 September 2023]

They did a really great job. The plot is well thought through and rewarding with some twits and rewards scattered throughout. Better than most nowadays.

Even though nothing is perfect and some critical feedback may be deserved, I really enjoyed the series. The pacing is very satisfying, although some viewers might find the amount of action scenes, shootings or explosions lacking. Depending on "viewer's culture" the police NOT shooting every suspect on sight, might seem unrealistic or as off-putting plottholes?

I usually don't like watching with subtitles, here i didn't mind.

Hope they will be able to finish the story, so my friends, please watch the show end enjoy.

Was this targeted at an young age group?

[write_me_here · 4/10 · 26 March 2023]

I only saw the first episode up to the interogation part and then my partner and i decided we had tried long enough.

It felt like we where watching Q&Q or de Zevensprong, shows targeted at 13 to 15 year olds.

And although the story seemed interesting enough the acting was below par. And with the major actors that where involved that was really suprising to see. None of them seemed to deliver a convincing line.

And although the buildings looked nice and the idea of mixing modern elements with old elements to create an undefined era the world felt 'empty'.

As a viewer i could feel the world stopped beyond what was in view of the camera. It didn't feel as if i was watching a fragment of a whole universe bit rather what it in reality was, just a set in the middle of nowhere.

Next to that, when your whole family is taken away from a wedding ceremony would you be as relaxed as the actors were?

And if their calm posture came forth of their knowledge of what 'the shield' would have done to them it would have been better to explain that to the viewer beforehand.

Show some scenes to explain what the shoeld is and how they would have reacted when you refused to do what they say.

Now the viewer has to work with his own frame of reference and see the reactions of the actors as highly unbelievable.

The four stars are mainly for the fact that the actors dared to undertake this adventure but not for the way they undertook it.

Too much suspension of disbelief required even though this is already real

[looem · 5/10 · 18 December 2023]

The foundations for these kind of series is to create another society. Such a society is created with a) an environment and b) a culture. And that is exactly where it went double wrong.

A) The architectural choices are interesting. Too often production designers rely on high tech, blue glowing goodies. But they fail to create a real world. Beside a market in a low class neighbourhood, there are no stores nor is there any sign of a delivery system (should people not have to shop but government disperses item). There are just some functional buildings and some housing as you also get in a computer game where you have to build a society and then go to war. Nor are there citizens going about there business. How can you believe a builing is a hospital if no extras are going in or out? Streets are empty and deserted ( and not intentionally). It doesn't feel like a real city at all.

B) As mentioned earlier, the second aspect of creating a society is creating a culture. I am not referring to the points system but the way of behaving, talking,... Besides things specifically written in, it is as if noone seems to be affected by this way of live. They all behave too contemporary. The belgian/netherlands mix doesnt work either.

It is common to do coproductions. Not only can you apply to two subsidy jars, you also have a bigger target audience. Belgian and Netherlands culture is quite different. And both parties can be very irritated by just the sound of the different accents. I find that the mixture they created does not work. If there would be a future where there is more mingling, habits and language would have rubbed off on one another as well.

This problem could have been fixed by director and actors working closely together to create such a society, but apparently everybody just practiced their lines and did minimal prep.

In short the series was made by people who love scifi but do not realise what it should be build upon: a credible fantasy.

The pacing is, especially in the beginning, a challenge, but i did find myself wanting to find out how it would evolve.

The most fascinating thing is that this is presented as the future where in a certain country this is already in practice.