Guy Ritchie, renowned for his unique cinematic portrayal of crime, has ventured once more into the television arena with MobLand. Following the success of The Gentlemen on Netflix, Ritchie’s latest crime drama premiered recently on Paramount+, drawing immediate attention and mixed reviews. Though the first episode just aired, critics had the opportunity to view two installments beforehand, resulting in MobLand achieving a 71% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes. While this suggests a fair reception, it’s not particularly noteworthy. Encouragingly, out of 14 reviews, 10 were positive. Yet, as more critiques roll in, this score may shift. With less than 50 ratings currently influencing viewer scores, their reception remains inconclusive.
MobLand intricately details the power-struggle between two organized crime patriarchies, the Harrigans and the Stevensons, battling to preserve both their empires and lives. Created by Ronan Bennett, having recently basked in the acclaim for The Day of the Jackal, the series received elevated expectations. Guy Ritchie has directed several episodes, leveraging a talent-laden cast including Tom Hardy, Pierce Brosnan, and Helen Mirren, each bringing layers of gravitas and intrigue to the tense narrative.
Critics, however, are divided. Nick Schager from The Daily Beast delivered a lukewarm assessment, suggesting, “MobLand reeks of regurgitation, throwing up so many underworld clichés that it proves difficult to stomach.” In contrast, John Anderson from the Wall Street Journal was impressed, highlighting, “The script… is as precise and nuanced as one would expect from the writer of last year’s remarkable Day of the Jackal, and the overall production is extremely handsome, stylish.” Aramide Tinubu from Variety also offered praise, stating that “Brosnan and Mirren are thrilling to watch, as always.”
Echoing mixed sentiments, CBR’s Brittany Frederick mentioned that MobLand has “more style than substance,” adding, “brilliant on paper — and not so much in execution.” This divergence in critical opinion underlines the series’ dynamic potency and pending potential, emphasizing both the allure and challenges of Ritchie’s latest work.
The underwhelming opening score joins the ranks of previous Ritchie projects, such as The Gentlemen TV series, which similarly entered the market with a 76% score from a modest 25 reviews, yet still achieved considerable success, paving the way for a forthcoming second season. Ritchie, an ever-evolving storyteller, continues to develop another series as a reinvention of Sherlock Holmes. Young Sherlock, set to debut on Prime Video, will explore the adolescence of the iconic detective, with Hero Fiennes Tiffin and Joseph Fiennes among the cast.
Guy Ritchie’s MobLand airs new episodes every Sunday on Paramount+, inviting audiences back to the intricate criminal landscapes of his creation. Whether MobLand secures enduring admiration remains uncertain, but the compelling promise of each Sunday brings potential for a fetching crescendo. Nonetheless, as the reviews unfold and the narratives deepen, audiences remain engaged, hovering between anticipation and critique, eager to grasp Ritchie’s latest television offering.
