American Primeval

Captivating show although the story line is not too deep, but yet riveting and explanatory enough as clues are revealed throughout the mini-series. Bloody, action packed, beautiful terrain, and reminiscent of "the revenant" and "hostiles".

Great cast overall with Taylor Kistch who is perfect for his character, not too much time is spent diving into his backstory, but he is made for the mysterious and dangerous vibe.

The gloomy environment is in line with the times, 1800s wasn't exactly the "happiest" of times in America. It is interesting how it paints a different perspective of some of the sacrifices folks from different cultures and views had to make in order to coexist.

To be honest, I don't expect much from original Netflix shows anymore. Netflix was never of HBO or Hulu level for that matter and even Prime is slowly gaining ground on the quality of its' shows. American Primeval comes at a time when Netflix really needs a proper show.

15 years ago, 22-episode seasons were the norm, when we had to wait for a whole calendar year or more to see what happens next. Then, Netflix dropped all episodes at once, which is fine for binge watching but you end quite quickly with nothing to watch, plus it's tiring to watch many many episodes in a few sittings.

And then the limited series trend is back, where we practically talk about an extend film. And this is what American Primeval is. An extended film, which has the perfect pace to develop the characters enough for the spectator to care while not dragging the plot.

With me not being a US citizen, it was a great opportunity to read into this part of American History, about the Mountain Meadows Massacre, a story which I handnt come across in other featured films or TV shows. It also gave me the incentive to look into the Mormon religion as I was only aware of its existence. While this series is not entirely historical accurate concerning the flow of events, it seems that it does depict the general frame of the events that unfolded and the basic parties involved.

It is as violent as it should be to bring the audience the actual conditions and battles people of these times had to face.

Acting by most if not all actors is top notch but I have to say I found Betty Gilpins' character (Sara Rowell) a bit exaggerated. Taylor Kitch delivers but Shea Whigham as Jim Bridger and Kim Coates as Brigham Young are extraordinary.

Principal photography is beautiful, all scenes and direction by Peter Berg is outstanding.

If you want an interesting Limited Series to binge watch over a weekend (or a... Day!) and don't mind the brutal depiction of the Old American West, this is a perfect choice!

This series was awesome. Raw, violent and good character development. It's how the West was developed and involves many parties; Indians included.

I have a newborn at home and was up 1am till now and watched the entire series. Very well done. I assume it's a limited series and don't have additional seasons which is said.

The ensemble cast is ridiculous and awesome. Some big names only are in one episode but make the series what it is.

Costners American Boring Saga was painfully slow and I still am scratching my head trying to figure a plot if there is one.

This series gets you right into a plot of families expanding west and the trials and tribulations they experienced getting West.

Very appropriate name for series - epsisoeds 47 mins long and move fast. I am a huge fan.

At a time when streaming platforms are inundated with content that often feels formulaic, it's rare to encounter a series that grips you with such immediacy and authenticity. This miniseries, which I stumbled upon purely by chance on its premiere day, turned out to be a remarkable discovery-an unassuming masterpiece that exceeded my expectations in every way.

What sets this series apart is its unflinchingly unsentimental approach to storytelling. By eschewing overly contrived emotional cues, it allows moments of genuine emotional depth to emerge organically, packing an understated yet profound impact. It's a raw, fast-paced, and intense experience that remains grounded and purposeful, never slipping into excess or artifice.

Visually, the series is a triumph. The meticulous attention to detail-whether in the period-accurate costumes, evocative set designs, or the dynamic and immersive camerawork-creates an unparalleled sense of presence. You're not merely observing events unfold from a distance; you're drawn into the action, experiencing the urgency and stakes alongside the characters.

While I often find action-heavy narratives reliant on spectacle at the expense of substance, this series defies that trend. Here, the brisk pacing and raw, visceral moments of violence serve as an extension of the story's thematic core, amplifying its authenticity rather than detracting from it.

From the first episode, the series establishes a gripping rhythm that's impossible to resist.

If this miniseries isn't recognized during awards season, it would be nothing short of an oversight. The precision of its costume design, the evocative score, the sharp direction, and the captivating performance by its lead actress deserve every accolade.

In many ways, this is more than just one of the best Netflix offerings in recent memory; it's a reminder of what storytelling can achieve when ambition meets artistry. For an industry that often prioritizes marketability over originality THIS is why I still am a subscriber.

I watched this over the course of a snow bound day and was glad to see a western story that was very different from the "popular" western series of the past years. Netflix released this as a complete limited series, which is such a relief after suffering through a bunch of series done in the old Big 3 network style of an episode a week.

We all know the network that released those recent series, and I do wish they would wake up to the fact that streaming did away with most of the viewers willing to put up with that game. Also, the recent western series are all done by the same guy using the same set of supporting actors, for the most part. That guy's work has worn out its welcome for me.

Anyway, this fine western has no episode filler, no interminable intro, and not too much anachronistic wokeness in the story line. The anachronisms in the weaponry and costumes isn't too much to bear and doesn't become a deal-breaker.

This story breaks the mold of western series, in several ways. It's storytelling that gets right to the point without all the padding that an ongoing TV series always has. We know right away when a character is a villain, without a multi-episode side story.

Western fans could well end up making this a very widely watched miniseries. I doubt that its success would convince the current makers of the old pattern of dragged out series, but that old model is dying off anyway.

I do hope that Netflix updates the IMDB pages for this show to give cast credits to some good actors who aren't listed, such as Irene Bedard and Jeremiah Bitsui. The cast is excellent, IMO.