The Rook (2019) User Reviews

It's Fine as Long as You Haven't Read the Book

[emu81684 · 7/10 · 19 November 2019]

The show is based on a book by the same name, which is all kinds of supernatural crazy. It's awesome if you're interested.

The show, on the other hand, seems to want to stay relatively grounded in reality, and as a result, I guess they had to rework A LOT of the source material. As a result, it's nothing like the novel, so if that's why you want to watch the show, just be prepared. They're the same in name and characters only. Hell, some of the characters don't even have the same powers they do in the novel.

As a show, though, it's not bad. I couldn't make myself like the lead, however. She just wasn't intriguing or interesting enough for me to care about whether or not she gets her memories back. Genuinely didn't care. I watched it more for the background characters, but obviously they were mostly pushed aside for the lead.

It's an okay show if you're looking for something to watch in a block. I couldn't imagine having to sit back and wait a week for each episode. It definitely wasn't interesting enough for me to do that.

Still, why not? I liked it ell enough, so maybe you will, too.

Completely different than the book

[multiedit · 7/10 · 5 August 2019]

I am on Episode 6 now. The book is much, MUCH better, however, the show has a life of its own. Don't try to see the book in this show, just watch it. The show is not bad, but it's an average one. The book (both if them, The Rook and Stiletto) are really original. The author ("That Aussi Guy") has a wild imagination, it's a pity that the show is not based on the book in any coherent way.

Looks good so far...

[uncmick · 8/10 · 30 June 2019]

After first episode, it looks like a very interesting supernatural spy thriller. Well done with decent acting, great visuals and sound. I hope the series will maintain this level of excellence. I did not read the book it is based on, so have no prior expectations.

I'll finish it, but please read the book.

[jetstream22 · 30 June 2019]

I've just realized how difficult it would be to bring the book as a whole to the small screen. You can make an endangered show for the fans or craft a semblance of the material for public interest. I think they've done a good job of the latter. I just miss the culled characters and storylines. Can see the direction they're on and, hopefully, the constant exposition and 5 minutes spent wandering the apartment were the foundation for the increasing exciting pace of a great story.

Well produced, a bit slow

[jyatesnewyork · 7/10 · 30 June 2019]

It remains to be seen if The Rook is going to be able to enthrall viewers over eight episodes. This reviewer found the backdrops cool enough (there's a sort of "she cave/James Bond hidden room" for example, for the amnesiac protagonist), but the pacing is slow, slow, slow. Give it a go, however, if you like the psychological thriller Absentia, or the first Jason Bourne film. It starts abruptly, trying to startle the viewer into becoming interested, but I was more bothered by the fact that she spent the night on a bed of ice cubes, than anything else. I stuck with it, though, and I will continue to watch it until I have decided exactly what her cool superpowers are, and whether they are worth my time. Grade: B-

Meh...

[sicestvulgus · 6/10 · 2 July 2019]

I haven't read the book,but I didn't really like what I saw.I gave it a 6 for its filming-London is beautiful-and the superb Joely,aside from these two...it had nothing else. A supernatural spy thriller is always an ambitious idea and it has rarely been done well.It was technical and boring,the writing was tedious and the plot was somewhat predictable and didn't evoke any kind of interest.Overall i found it flat and uninspiring.I really really don't like the lead girl,didn't like her when I first saw her in Shameless,didn't like her now.Character development was nonexistent.After finishing the episode I didn't care whether I would watch the next one or not.Keep in mind that STARZ is a network that traditionally renews shows for a second season,only to cancel them a little before its finale...has done so with BOSS, MAGIC CITY and COUNTERPART.Sooooo,I really don't know if I'm gonna invest.

The setting

[janklosowski · 10/10 · 7 August 2019]

It's not easy to create a supernatural setting that feels fresh. The Rook is the most successful approach since Sense 8. Most importantly, Gestalt is the most original and hypnotizing character idea since I cannot even remember (I guess you can argue "ever"). I am disappointed that they are not the main character, and this is my main complaint: I find Myfanwy one of the least interesting characters in the story. I still really enjoy the show, but it's tailored for a specific audience that enjoy alternative supernatural stories. If you enjoyed Mysfits, The Umbrella Academy, or Sense 8 - I cannot recommend it enough. The story unfolds slowly, but it is way more subtle than I expected from something based on the book classified by many as YA. Gestalt alone make me want to know what happened next.

The Lawnmower Man revisited

[thom-gillespie · 7/10 · 16 July 2019]

Stephen King's The Lawnmower Man was purchased for the title and the story was deep sixed. The Rook is similar to anyone how has read the book, which is magnificent. The book is totally Myfanwy's story and the TV show seems like they wanted the book title but not the book, which would have required the team from Stranger Things to do it justice and scare the pants off anyone watching which it would have. This is sort like watching MI-5 with some super powers thrown in. I can't say I dislike the show but knowing the book does get in the way. I will watch the TV show simply because it is not even close to the book other than the title so I just view it as a Procedural, but anyone watching the show good luck figuring out the 'Blonds' and no they are not the Children of the damned all grown up.

Watchable but the week by week drip does not help. This needs to be seen in one long weekend.

Interesting, I am all in.

[maxvaron · 9/10 · 1 July 2019]

This has elements of other shows, like Blindspot, the X-Men. I am particularly fond of mysteries that take a while to unfold. I'm hooked on this show. You do have to put in some effort with the story line. Now let's wait for a few more episodes.

Some style, but not much to hold you

[cherold · 6/10 · 3 August 2019]

This series reminds me a bit of Blindspot, a TV series I saw a couple of episodes of when it started. Amnesiac girl trying to figure out her life. They don't have a lot in common, really, and The Rook's dialogue is decent, unlike Blindspot, but I just had a feeling after the pilot that this was going to leave me disappointed.

There's a frosty stylishness to the way it's filmed, but hand in hand with that is a distance that makes it difficult to care about the protagonist or much of anything else. There's a mystery there that I didn't feel much invested in, perhaps just because I have gone through so many TV series with so many mysteries that I need more than I was given.

I wouldn't say it was bad. I wouldn't say don't watch it. I'd just say it didn't grab me.

pretty disappointing so far

[Fujiko-san · 2/10 · 9 July 2019]

I loved the book but this adaptation seems to take out everything that was creative and unique and dumb it down to just another stupid cop show. I am not liking the new plot lines and new characters, which seem unnecessary, just like all the other changes from the novel. Acting is ok, but the hokey soundtrack and sub par camera work ruin any good that might be there.

Also, where is the dark humor? This production has taken something great and churned out the usual pap. Bravo.

Love it

[antoinetteosman · 10/10 · 19 September 2019]

It's a little slow to start, but then all of a sudden sucks you in like a vortex. Great cast and script. Really enjoyed this show. Fingers crossed for another season.

Ok, but very contrived dramaturgy

[Steppenwulf · 6/10 · 18 August 2022]

This a well-produced, decent series. Acting is mostly solid, plot thickens in a rewarding way. The big negative thing I have to say is that there are occasional scenes where you just can't see why the main character wouldn't act differently and " enter". For instance while on the verge of being forcibly driven away in her own car, alone in the back seat, seeing an important contact, why wouldn't she just open the door, given that the car isn't moving at that point. Makes no bloody sense and really brings the mark down when you're watching a plot driven thriller.

Where's the Rook?

[kichius-895-631037 · 2/10 · 5 August 2019]

I keep waiting for the Rook to start.

This has NOTHING to do with the books.

I just hope that Daniel O'Malley got a boat load of money because he deserves it.

This series is like a low-rent La Femme Nakita. A butchered story and bad production values.

Not sure where this is going

[boydpeters · 6/10 · 23 July 2019]

Struggling to find any interest. Lead protagonist is devoid of any character. Is she going to walk around with hunched shoulders for the entire series?

Its Trying too hard to be sophisticated. Personally I just found it tedious and boring.

Made it 1.75 episodes in before giving up

Interesting SciFi series a la British

[cjonesas · 7/10 · 3 January 2020]

The Rook is an interesting series with some fresh ideas, beautifully filmed, but a bit slow for its concept and not showing enough characters' powers in action. The main female character's play is mostly bad and cringe-worthy with awful psychological state of mind.

Most of all, the series lacks fluidity and logic from time to time, very often showing sub-plots and 'random' pictures and acts, leaving it to viewers to link them all together in relation to the whole story.

If they aim for a second season, they need to lube all parts of the story and script up, show more in-depth action and tangible use of characters' powers. The characters interactions together need to be more polished and realistic. In its current state, they are more like pieces of a puzzle, shuffled together and piled up.

All in all, a fresh series, still raw, having the potential to receive a nice polish and shine to brighten up like a diamond.

Should have a much higher rating.

[Kareneo · 10/10 · 1 August 2019]

Rather a shame, but yet another good Sci Fi offering rated low by dullards. These sites really should have an IQ test that enables one to give a rating.

(I am only one-and-a-half episodes in, and will amend my review if it does peter out as some reviews suggest ...)

Back again - yup! Turned out it was brilliant!

Slightly above average

[dalxray · 6/10 · 28 September 2020]

Barely above average but managed to keep me watching the entire season. Did not read the books, which other reviewers have described as great and were consequently disappointed with the show. For plot synopsis, check out the other reviews, I won't re-hash. I was really intrigued by the character Gestalt ( 2 identical and 2 fraternal twins which are psychically linked, when one learns something they all do), which I believe was first imagined by british SF author John Wyndham in The Midwich Cuckoos - later filmed as Village of the Damned (highly recommended, the original not the 90s remake crapfest). My main problem with this show was the lead actress Emma Greenwell - didn't feel like she had the acting chops to pull off this role and was usually bored with her performance ( although this may have been a problem with direction, I admit I have not seen her in anything else). James D'Arcy gives a good performance but his role was under-developed, as was Adrian Lester's. Joely Richardson was great as usual, and Olivia Munn beautiful as ever but frankly her acting in this was terrible.

Great So Far

[rasmussencorrie · 10/10 · 30 June 2019]

Just watched the Premier... has Good acting, good plot, interesting from the jump. Definitely worth watching. Hopefully all the rest of the episodes are just as good.

Emma Greenwell ,Olivia Munn,Joely Richardson all did a fine job . Worth my time

[robfollower · 7/10 · 29 August 2019]

I see many people downgrading this show that read book. Maybe there are adding things to it like they do to every show that's from the book to make it last. It sorta reminds me of Counterpart, with the secret organizations, mystery, and European set. With the fact humans have extreme variant abilities makes it a good premium cable show. Acting's good, directing's good, and the music and sound is good. Just hope it last a few seasons. 7.5

I hate it when TV adaptations make you doubt if you actually read the book or just imagined you read the book while tripping on LSD.

[joe-2792 · 1/10 · 9 July 2019]

The good news is that after watching two episodes it does not appear to be as bad of an adaptation as Legend of the Seeker or The Shannara Chronicles. The bad news is that I am lumping this show in with Legend of the Seeker and The Shannara Chronicles. The other bad news is that Olivia Munn is not the worst thing about this show.

You were warned.

Updated 07/20/19: I have watched the first 3 episodes and re-read the book and can now confirm that, unlike the writers, I have indeed read the book and did not imagine it while taking hallucinogens.

Updated 11/19/2021: Why did I think this was better than Legend of the Seeker or The Shannara Chronicles. Maybe I was drunk. Cause The Rook is the worst adaptation of a book I have ever seen. Lowering my review from 2 stars to 1 star.

I can't believe how much I'm enjoying it

[babi-81870 · 10/10 · 17 July 2019]

I took the bus home and decided to watch something new, I don't know how I ended up with the first episode of The Rook on my screen but man, didn't I enjoy it. Kind of different from the book but very much similar at the same time (and I'm loving the romance as well!). I'm exited about how it will all play out. Good job guys!

Developing nicely

[iamjamalwhite · 7/10 · 9 July 2019]

I'm not usually into European stuff, the pacing is off for me as an American but this is good so far. They keep it moving nicely with some surprises here and there. It could be great. We are only a few episodes in but it's fun so far!

Just another cop show

[jules9582 · 3/10 · 8 July 2019]

If you enjoyed the book, prepare to be terribly disappointed in the TV adaption. Everything that made the book brilliant, strong character development, touches of wry humour, the extraordinary supernatural, are glaringly absent so far. Instead of a story of discovery and adventure, it really is just another cop show. I was so bored I decided to vacuum my floors instead.

Not For Me

[morristwo · 9 July 2019]

Just watched the second part of this and I just can't get into it. Of course it has the normal boring tourist shots of concrete buildings in London . The quality 4K pictures are wonderful But the story!! Not for me thanks. Taken it off series link.