Plur1bus (2025)

Vince Gilligan, known for The X-Files, Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, once again shows his signature style in Pluribus, the nine-part dystopian sci-fi drama with a twist from Apple TV+. Anyone familiar with Gilligan's previous work will immediately recognize his thematic fascination with moral ambiguity and uneasy protagonists.

At the center of the film is Carol Sturka, convincingly played by Rhea Seehorn. Sturka is possibly the unhappiest person in the world—and simultaneously one of the most complex characters in Gilligan's oeuvre. Sturka is angry, aggressive, and utterly socially awkward. She embodies the American who would rather see everything fall apart than truly connect with the people around her.

Pluribus unfolds at a calm, sometimes even slow and repetitive pace. The series is original and subtle, revealing its secrets little by little. After each episode, a slightly unsettling feeling remains: what have I been watching? The series manages to transform that feeling into curiosity. At the same time, Pluribus isn't perfect.

In an age of endless noise, Pluribus is a rare breath of fresh air. The series demands attention, patience, and reflection—an exercise in contemplation. Not only for Carol Sturka, but also for the viewer.

Translated from Dutch · View original

I don't understand the hype surrounding this series at all; it wouldn't be out of place on the bombshell BBC First. I thought it was a truly awful series, and I wasn't thrilled with Seeehorn's performance at all.
The first episode was decent, but after that the trouble started, I got really annoyed by this nonsense.
What a waste of time, one of the weakest series of the year for me...

Translated from Dutch · View original