Chance (2016–2017) User Reviews

Terminating Chance the dumbest decision in film history

[DrWilhielmWonk · 9/10 · 28 February 2019]

It's now two years since this series was inexplicably canned by Hulu in something that will go down in film history as one of the worst decisions ever made. (And this is taking Ed Wood's whole repertoire into account.) The cinematography of Chance is fantastic, the screenplay intelligent and mesmerizing, the acting superb by both Hugh Laurie and and the rest of the cast, the suspense is gripping as it's built up gradually when Dr. Eldon Chance finds himself in pulled into an strange and dark underworld thick of secrets and lies. Highly recommended! Three thumbs up!!

But, four thumbs down for the buffoons at Hulu that killed it.

brilliant and creepy at the very same time -- Laurie shines

[A_Different_Drummer · 9/10 · 31 October 2016]

Perhaps the highest compliment I can pay to the production team behind CHANCE is that this would have been an interesting show on its own, even before the casting of Laurie.

But there's the rub. They did cast Laurie and thereby elevated this to brilliant.

It is about a "consulting neuro-psychiatrist" which is a fancy way of saying a doctor that takes one creepy case after another.

Add in music that would not be out of place in a horror film and you have all the fixings for good entertainment.

And then there is Laurie himself. What a pro! You would guess he would want to reprise House, one of the most memorable roles in the history of TV. And you would be wrong.

Laurie has crafted his character to be almost the "anti-House." Tentative, awkward, uncertain, shy and fearful. The kind of shrink that could himself use a shrink.

Great show. Recommended.

((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))

Chance is a psychological thriller that is both intriguing and intelligent.

[anfalarshad · 9/10 · 20 October 2016]

Hugh Laurie ("House") is a doctor again, but this time he's a neuropsychiatrist in San Francisco in the thriller based on Kem Nunn's acclaimed novel.

The 10-episode series has a crime noir feel to it.Chance, who is going through a rough divorce, finds a new patient alluring and becomes hell-bent on helping her. Add to that his new acquaintance with Ethan Suplee's baddie, who is as adept with his fists as he is at mettalurgy, and the good doctor quickly finds his life spiraling out of control.

Laurie is very un-House-like here, playing Chance as timid, unsure and unstable, which led me to believe some of what Chance is experiencing may not be real. His performance is quite a contrast to the cocky, obstinate House or to the menacing arms dealer he played in this summer's hit, "The Night Manager." The change here shows off his versatility as an actor.

"Chance" is paced extremely well, building with tension from the outset. It'll hook you, then surprise you. Grade: A

Really Killer Surprise !!!

[fuzulu · 10/10 · 10 August 2017]

This show is a little gem and a huge surprise, I cannot understand how it got such a low rating of 7.7 currently. I started watching this and after just one episode I knew Id watch the whole thing and I did so back to back in the next few days. The show is so gripping and so mysterious and spooky, you feel at any moment anything could happen and it really keeps you on your toes, its a fantastic thriller. The story is great the actors are very good, the guy who plays the cop is really good but this bring me to the main point, the lead actress Gretchen Mol does a really good job and Hugh Laurie is absolutely amazing, he has really killed it but for me the main guy who steals the show here is Ethan Suplee as D, this character is absolutely stunning, the delivery the confidence, this guy has taken this role to another level and I really really hope he wins an award for this, he's the show for me along with Hugh.

So all in all this is a fantastic show, if U like crime thrillers or psychological thrillers or any kind of thrillers in general, you gonna love it, watch it, two thumps up!

Hulu blew it when they cancelled Chance!

[amesm · 10/10 · 23 November 2018]

If Hulu had given this show the marketing it deserved, it would still be on. Great storyline. Excellent characters and actors. I feel cheated out of a great show. Shame on you Hulu!

Terrific Noir with an Electrifying Performance from Ethan Suplee

[cherold · 9/10 · 1 June 2017]

This compelling series-noir follows Hugh Laurie as a neuropsychiatrist who plays white knight for a femme fatale in distress, assisted by a helpful tough guy.

Chance feels a lot like classic Noirs like Double Indemnity, and I spent much of the series worried that there would be a too-obvious 180-degree turn. But the series offers more zig-zag turns than turnarounds. Things aren't quite what they seem, but this isn't a house of mirrors either. And for the most part the story holds together well, although one can criticize the unlikely convenience of D, who seems almost Deus Ex Machina.

Hugh Laurie tends to be the most riveting presence on screen, as in House or the Night Manager, but here the rest of the cast is too good to give Laurie and opening to take over. Gretchen Mol is terrific as the fragile damsel, and Ethan Suplee is riveting as D. I was shocked to see in the three pages of user reviews on this series he is rarely mentioned and most of the focus is on Laurie; it's as though people are so used to him being the best thing in a series that they can't tell when he's being outshone. Even though he himself is excellent as the obsessed intellectual going down the rabbit hole.

Chance takes more focus than most TV series. I didn't binge watch it simply because it requires more of me than something like iZombie. But if you're in the mood to pay attention, this is a great series to pay attention to.

This series is blowing my mind

[logolaunge · 10/10 · 25 November 2016]

The series began so good, but this is in every episode that happens that gets better and better, is something incredible. With each episode I get on the edge of my chair. Especially the last 15 min, it's crazy and I love it. Is series is created in such a clever way that nothing is predictable. The end of this season is a total mystery. I can not wait to see what's going on in Season Two. I am fascinated. I'm fascinated with all the production and the casting could not have been better . Hugh Laurie is an incredible actor (who is perfect in the role of Eldon Chance) because he transmits emotions without being over acted.

Quite good with one big flaw

[jasonhirthler-51722 · 7/10 · 11 October 2020]

Enticing plot, high tension, gorgeous femme fatale, believable bullies, and good dialogue that's half psychological profiling and half special forces technique. The flaw is that Hugh Laurie's character is an annoying idiot: high-strung, impulsively stupid, a blundering bourgeoisie who gets himself in deep water. If you can stomach this anti-House, you'll enjoy this series.

Best thing I've seen in many years!

[naision333 · 10/10 · 7 August 2017]

This is the most intriguing thing I've seen on television in many years! The atmosphere is definitely Noir and the story held my interest with twists and turns I admit I didn't see coming at the outset. Of course the acting had to be top notch to hold this together, and this ensemble cast headed by Hugh Laurie doesn't disappoint. Having grown up in San Francisco where it is set, I can tell you that all the filming locations were real places. I'm a 67 y/o guy who's seen a lot of television and I'm not easily impressed. This is the first time I've been moved to write a review on anything. Do yourself a favor and take a look at 'Chance'. If you like suspense, but don't want to know what's coming, this is for you!

Take a chance on it

[matthijsalexander · 7/10 · 18 November 2016]

The premise of the show seems a good one and the lead actor, I think, has monopoly on a-Doctor-that-is-off roles.

The pilot is intriguing and certainly captivating. The acting across the board high level. The pilot is one that leaves you curious.

Though I don't think this has the potential House had, I think it will be well received and potentially a long running show as they could go anywhere with this.

A 7.5 for now, after seeing 2 episodes. There are too many series out there that fail, too many series that from the get-go are classified as junk. This one, I suspect, won't be.

Take a chance on it, I'd say.

it isn't House it's more like Breaking Bad in psychiatry

[jimbomuso · 8/10 · 6 December 2016]

Hugh Laurie is as usual superb, He plays doctor Eldon Chance a consulting Neuropsychiatrist testifying in court on the fitness/capability of some of the god awful cases that come across his desk. As a result of dealing with some of these cases it appears to be taking a toll on him. the first episode is a slow teaser of an introduction to himself, his friends and his ex-wife and daughter. His character is brilliant, human, vulnerable and ultimately flawed.. I made the comparison to breaking bad as the series 'seems' to be his descent into much darker territory. As all things with the mind nothing is quite what it seems... solid acting from all involved, but I have to stress this is NOT a procedural House M.D affair as some people may get that impression from other reviews/comparisons. If your looking for some cerebral, intriguing and mystifying entertainment then this is it... 3 episodes in and I was hooked! Ethan Suplee(Randy from My Name Is Earl) deserves a special mention for playing against type in such a menacingly dark and intelligent way.

Enjoyable crime drama with some good twists

[ten-thousand-marbles · 7/10 · 1 November 2021]

I found this show to be well done and watchable. The cast, especially Hugh and Ethan deliver solid performances. The storylines are compelling and kept me engaged. Add to all this that I'm a sucker for a vigilante story and we have a win. The biggest disappointment is that Hulu pulled the plug after just two seasons. It definitely had some life left in it.

Great Idea. But the longer it goes .....

[levybob · 5/10 · 5 January 2021]

'Chance' has a great plot concept. A respected shrink - Hugh Laurie - falls for a female patient with multiple personalities - Grechen Mol - and falls so hard that he inserts himself between her and her abusive husband (who happens to be a cop). Added to this is that the shrink hires a crazed army veteran and all-around-killer to (a) protect him from the abusive cop and (b) help him free the abused wife from her situation. Now add that the shrink clearly has emotional problems himself. And has a teenage daughter whose problems mirror those of her shrink father.

Not bad. Right?

Except, it is. Oh not at first. But as the ten episodes progress we find that the plot seems to loosen, become flabby. There are red-herrings / blind alleys. There are events that take place off-screen that, were they seen by the viewer, might have added to the suspense. There is a hint that the story-line might have changed during production and so rather than seeing events, the viewer is simply told that they occurred.

The multiple personality angle does not work; perhaps it was Ms. Mol's inability to pull it off, but her character's personalities were far too similar to one another. Characters do 'the stupid'; make the wrong choices. Not once, not twice, but again and again. And as result instead of caring about the character(s), we shake our heads in frustration. Even worse, disbelief.

And finally, the ending. Bad, bad, bad. Yes there are revelations. Yes. But they make no more sense than the terrible plot-devices that led to the conclusion.

I watched the first Season knowing of it's poor ratings (by many). I thought it might be so cheesy that it'd be worth a laugh; worth the watching.

It wasn't.

It isn't.

Totally binge worthy

[endia-17132 · 8/10 · 25 April 2018]

I literally watched 20 episodes in 2 days. I love the acting and intelligent scripting. The character development is stellar and I could go on! Is it fiction? Yes. Is it slightly unbelievable? Yes but maybe no. Isnt that what entertainment is? I am so completely disappointed I won't be getting to binge out and check out on a 3rd season! Big mistake, huge! There's plenty of other crap Hulu could scrap, if you would like to know, have your people call me direct as I have no people.

Fantastic!

[comicgeekchick · 10/10 · 19 January 2019]

This was an incredible show. I'm sad there are only two seasons. It is so compelling, my husband and I have been binge watching it. The concept is very well executed. The cast is incredible! Ethan Suplee and Hugh Laurie give absolutely mesmerizing performances. The camera work is spot on. The shots and lighting are gorgeous. Every shot is well crafted, and the way that light is used to help enhance the story being told is just stunning.

Hugh Laurie never fails to exceed expectations

[ianhodson-02802 · 10/10 · 26 October 2016]

As with many readers, I have grown up with Hugh Laurie's acting career and can barely fault any of his projects, This is no exception.

The writing of this series is impeccable and Hugh has once again risen to the occasion. When one considers the variety of acting he has undertaken over his illustrious career, one can only marvel at his expertise in the acting profession.

This programme has sown the seed that it will grow into a massive hit and HL deserves every accolade in leading it to a well deserved success.

Enjoy!

Excellent

[Veritas99 · 10/10 · 20 October 2017]

I was concerned that it won't be renewed, but now, watching season 2, I am pleasantly surprised. Knowing the background of the characters from season 1, and the plot, I got used to see 360 degrees turns, and season 2 is not disappointing, so far. Chance, D (kudos for Ethan Suplee) and Carl are again a good team, and the plot seems to be interesting - some may say predictable, but, as I thought in season 1 and it wasn't so, I am sure they will have more surprises for us.

Excellent...but

[aprilrain-44005 · 7/10 · 30 June 2017]

Hugh Laurie is very engaging as Doctor Chance. As with House, he is the driving force of this tense and creepy thriller and just when you think you know which way it's heading, it isn't, keeping the suspense high. My only problem is with the soundtrack. An almost constant atmospheric background noise makes it very hard to watch without use of subtitles and really spoilt my enjoyment of this otherwise excellent series.

Excellent show!

[katleenhouse · 10/10 · 8 December 2016]

I won't give away any details of the plot. Anyway, so far I have watched every episode from the first to the current one (the 9th). What can I say? Just this much: I thoroughly enjoyed the show so far! Even though I have read the novel before watching the show (means I know what is going to happen in the final episode)I absolutely loved it! The actors were well picked by the casting department! The whole thing is very intense. And if there's one thing they've mastered it's the art of ending episodes on cliffhangers! All in all, the show certainly doesn't fit mainstream television. But it will appeal to everyone who loves a well-scripted drama/film noir series! I can't wait for the next Season! Glad to know it's already green-lighted! I already wonder what paths that one will lead us down to...

Was Going Good Until The Last 2 or 3 Episodes of Season Two

[AudioFileZ · 7/10 · 13 January 2018]

I wonder if Hugh Laurie is wanting to move on to something else. This season two finale is really bad. Bad like lets just forget about creativity in writing and acting and let everything fall totally apart. If this is a brilliant low-point when Chance is resurrected in season three I'll be the first to say you "you got me going". I'm feeling Laurie never got the audience numbers he was looking for and, perhaps, was already looking toward other projects. We shall see, but the early complexity and smarts of Eldon Chance were beat down too hard and then expatriated south of the border. I think that's like saying #-it.

Damn I miss this sophisticated show!

[UniqueParticle · 10/10 · 1 August 2019]

Rewatching this and loving it especially being a fan of House M.D. Chance makes me love Ethan Suplee more than I did, he reminds me of a tougher version of a childhood friend I had. There's a bunch of well written dialogue and great soundtrack! Hugh Laurie is magnificent, I absolutely love his personality and medical roles! I would definitely recommend this electrifying show - It's a bummer it didn't have more seasons.

does not match the novel

[jonnyss · 7/10 · 28 January 2017]

SPOILERS OK, i know it's a cliché to love a novel and be disappointed in the screen version, but imo what were they thinking? "chance" is a gorgeous, kind, existential novel about an alienated, passive doc who comes back to life by rescuing a woman in trouble. along the way, he is helped by loyal friends old and new. the ending is sweet, including a lovely moment where he defies the lawyers by practicing medicine with integrity. the TV version is a creepy show about a guy with erotomania who gets taken in by a beautiful but violent woman while all his friends mock him angrily.

a bunch of us who had read the book watched the hulu series. at the end we were, "what? oh, no! why did they change it? please, no!" with a few saying, "don't invite me over for the 2nd season!" 2nd time this has happened to kem nunn. his first masterpiece, "tapping the source," was turned into the drastically different "point break." by contrast, robert stone, nunn's mentor, saw his novel, "the dog soldiers," turned faithfully into the great film "who'll stop the rain." apart from the destruction of a great novel, the TV series is decent.

Weak plot

[missurunha · 3/10 · 15 November 2016]

I had read some good comments about this series, so I decided to give it a chance. I've only watched two episodes, but the history makes no sense until now.

Chance is psychiatrist, that gets involved with one of his patients, for absolutely no reasonable motivation. He finds out her husband is somehow a dangerous man, and would possibly kill her, so he tries to save this woman. Does she want to be saved? Probably not, if she did, she would probably just leave the husband. Did he know her previously? No. Does he have reasons to care about her? No. So, at the second episode, the husband, again for no reason, threatens Chance's life. Does chance give up and go back to his life? No, cause of course it's better to risk his own life for a completely stranger.

As if that was not enough, he finds a batman-like friend, that again, for no reasonable motivation fights criminals.

The pace is really slow, and the episodes are filled with meaningless dialogues that add nothing to the story.

The story seems to make no sense at all. They just created a random situation, and wrote this series from there.

Hugh Laurie is an outstanding actor

[mymalshami · 10/10 · 21 October 2016]

Whatever Hugh Laurie presents always turns to be an outstanding product, I saw til now only one episode of Chance and i cant wait to watch the second one. I highly recommend the viewers not to miss this awesome TV Series. in this series Dr. Chance is absolutely different character than Dr. House he is so loving, caring and sincere. up to the moment i couldn't take him seriously Lol. feeling that he will through a jock here or there and to be all sarcastic as we are used to him in Dr. House. still Hugh Laurie is amazing actor, i don't know how can he switch his personality this way. he also acted amazingly in his last TV series The Night Manager as arms dealer. Really great job Hugh Laurie keep it up!

Engrossing and Intelligent

[modironak · 8/10 · 22 October 2016]

Just finished 2 episodes of "Chance" and it has already left me craving for more. Normally within two episodes you realize where the show is going and what is in store for you but here the writers haven't revealed the crux of the story which has made me intrigued.

You do not have to ask about acting of Hugh Laurie, he is actor of highest quality you can get for the show. Direction, Cinematography and Screenplay are just as perfect as the acting.

I am so confused in a positive manner that I do not know what will be happening in next episode. You just feel like competing the series in one sitting itself and wait for next episodes is killing me !!!