Our take
Despite reportedly having a hundred-million budget, Those About to Die looks laughably cheap. From the CGI backdrops that take us to 10 different locations in the first 20 minutes to the inconsistent costumes, poor lighting, and cheesy narration, almost everything about the show is off-putting. Even the brief presence of Sir Anthony Hopkins can’t save it. But perhaps the worst crime the show commits is that it fails to deliver the blood, sweat, and tears the teasers and trailers promised. Is the Ancient Rome of brutal violence and hedonism? Why does it feel so staged and sanitized? If you can sit through the first episode, the action sequences do eventually get better, but for the most part, the show buckles under the weight of the many things it tries (but fails) to be.
The story
Within the spectacular, complex and corrupt world of gladiatorial sports in Ancient Rome, follow an ensemble of diverse characters across the many layers of Roman society where sports, politics and business intersect and collide.
Elsewhere
"Lion fights, chariot races, and backroom politics – “Those About to Die” checks a lot of boxes, and does so with more artistic gravity than similarly shallow projects."
— Brian Tallerico
"Emmerich and Rodat rarely linger long enough on the story’s weaker parts to test our patience, and there’s just enough that works to keep us binging. Like a gladiator in the pit, the show earns a thumbs up to fight another day."
— Alison Herman
Set in Ancient Rome, the series follows power-hungry officials and corrupt gamemakers as they try to satiate the masses through bloody gladiatorial competitions.
I know streaming shows have a penchant for being underlit, but this one takes it to a different and darker level.
Yeah, no, I'm just waiting for "The Gladiator" sequel.
The details
Streaming arrival
Who picked it
Renee Cuisia is the lead curator at A Good Movie to Watch. In her spare time, she likes to watch K-dramas and analyze them to death. She's also seen You've Got Mail one too many times but is still convinced it's one of the greatest films out there.
