The townspeople who live above "The Loop," a machine built to unlock and explore the mysteries of the universe, experience things previously consigned to the realm of science fiction.The townspeople who live above "The Loop," a machine built to unlock and explore the mysteries of the universe, experience things previously consigned to the realm of science fiction.The townspeople who live above "The Loop," a machine built to unlock and explore the mysteries of the universe, experience things previously consigned to the realm of science fiction.
- Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys
- 10 nominations total
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Summary
Reviewers say 'Tales from the Loop' is a contemplative sci-fi series that delves into human emotions and relationships with a mysterious technological backdrop. Praised for its atmospheric depth, set design, and sound, each episode offers a unique story. The show's melancholy tone and poetic style blend sci-fi with human drama, though some find the pacing slow and narrative unclear. Acting and cinematography are generally lauded, yet certain episodes are criticized for lacking substance.
Featured reviews
This, I'm sure, is the stuff of dreams to the "serious" sci-fi buff. The kind of thing they've been waiting their whole lives for. But be warned. The art house approach, the ponderous wringing of every drop of darkness from the tales, the dolorous minimalist soundtrack courtesy of Philip Glass, and the doom laden plots all contribute to weighty, even burdensome viewing at times. This is not the sort of thing you put on at the end of a riotous evening. Nor to be binge watched - it will spill your marbles and spark depressive spirals. And don't gift it to your significant other for a birthday or the like if you don't want weeks of angst as they try to work out what exactly you're trying to say. It's intelligent, meaningful and dark - maybe a little too so - well worth watching but make sure you're in the right mood, at the right time, and preferably in easy reach of your support structure!
Not many times in my life I've felt compelled to binge watch a series but this got me. . .
A combination of beautiful cinematography, great character study and clever story lines make for a truly wonderful and complete series. The fact that it's about the human interactions and relationships and not all about the weird and wonderful tech laying about just adds to it for me. So many series are in your face with the CGI and effects they forget about telling us anything.
The subtleness only ads to the whole feel of this superb show. Take time to slow down a bit and enjoy something that makes you think.
I really enjoyed this series. It's slow paced, yes, but it's tremendous solid too. And in an artistic way also very gripping and thrilling. And I loved the actors.
I salute the makers because they could have went the obvious road and give the audience the usual SciFi stuff they'd conditioned to expect from a show like this. But instead they choose to take us on a journey of some kind of meditation about what really matters in life. And this journey is not only beautiful shot, but offers some great ideas and unexpected turns too. Sometimes as a kind of side note and not as she focus of the show - but that is the whole point: don't get distracted by the things you might think life is worth living for, let the stars in the sky be the stars, don't miss in your life what is yet full of awe. And the show never preaches. It's always showing instead of pointing with the finger or shouting at us. You have to think about it to get it. But it isn't a far fetched deep secret either. Just go on the journey and let it sink in.
I guess if they had done it a bit more on the nose, the chance for a second season were better. But I'm glad they didn't - a show like this is nothing you get get to see often. But I sure hope they do another one anyway.
I salute the makers because they could have went the obvious road and give the audience the usual SciFi stuff they'd conditioned to expect from a show like this. But instead they choose to take us on a journey of some kind of meditation about what really matters in life. And this journey is not only beautiful shot, but offers some great ideas and unexpected turns too. Sometimes as a kind of side note and not as she focus of the show - but that is the whole point: don't get distracted by the things you might think life is worth living for, let the stars in the sky be the stars, don't miss in your life what is yet full of awe. And the show never preaches. It's always showing instead of pointing with the finger or shouting at us. You have to think about it to get it. But it isn't a far fetched deep secret either. Just go on the journey and let it sink in.
I guess if they had done it a bit more on the nose, the chance for a second season were better. But I'm glad they didn't - a show like this is nothing you get get to see often. But I sure hope they do another one anyway.
I'm sorry some of the reviewers can't appreciate any Sci-fi that doesn't include laser battles and far out explosions and such. this title goes back to the roots of Science Fiction. It uses another means and different modes to explore the Human Condition. Go back to the Golden Age of Sci-Fi with authors like Arthur C. Clarke and you will see. Sci-Fi simply provides the backdrop for the actual storytelling. The stories are good, albeit slower than we are used to in 2020, but good none the less- much like the original Science Fiction. It's nice to see for a change where the story comes first and everything else is second as opposed to the current crop of Sci-Fi where the action and effects are first and the story is third or fourth.
There is an extraordinary gentleness to this series that has no antecedent. There is no attempt to shock or horrify or amaze. Only engage. Quality is not even but some of the episodes are absolutely hypnotic, you cannot look away.
Did you know
- TriviaMost of the fictional technology and architecture seen in the series is based directly on the artwork from Simon Stålenhag's book. However the scripts called for a few new devices that were not seen in the book. Writer and producer Nathaniel Halpern wanted all of the new technology to match the visual aesthetic of the book, so he asked Stålenhag to consult on all of the production design. Stålenhag even designed some of the props, like George's prosthetic arm, himself.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Double Toasted: THE ELECTRIC STATE - Netflix Movie Review (2025)
- How many seasons does Tales from the Loop have?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Runtime
- 50m
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.78 : 1
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