The latest addition to Hulu’s lineup is a gripping mystery thriller that has quickly garnered attention, reflected in a commendable Rotten Tomatoes score. Founded in 2007, Hulu has evolved into a significant player in the streaming landscape since Disney Entertainment acquired it, particularly with its focus on original content production, which commenced in 2011. Among its standout offerings, The Handmaid’s Tale has achieved critical acclaim, earning 15 Primetime Emmy Awards and an impressive average rating of 83% across its five seasons, based on Margaret Atwood’s seminal novel.
Hulu’s programming now showcases a growing array of well-received mystery and thriller series. Notably, A Murder at the End of the World, from their collaboration with FX, features Brit Marling as an amateur detective unraveling a murder mystery in the Arctic and has earned a striking 89% on Rotten Tomatoes. Other successes in this genre include the comedic whodunit Only Murders in the Building with a 96% rating and the psychological tension of The Patient, which holds an 89% score, starring Steve Carell and Domhnall Gleeson.
Paradise Receives Positive Feedback
A Vision by Dan Fogelman
Paradise is making waves on Rotten Tomatoes with a noteworthy score upon its debut. Created by esteemed showrunner Dan Fogelman—known for his work on This Is Us and serving as an executive producer for Only Murders in the Building—the series stars Emmy Award winner and Oscar nominee Sterling K. Brown as Secret Service agent Xavier Collins. Collins faces the high-stakes responsibility of protecting former President Cal Bradford, portrayed by James Marsden. Alongside Brown, the cast also includes talents such as Julianne Nicholson, Sarah Shahi, Nicole Brydon Bloom, Aliyah Mastin, and Percy Daggs IV.
Sterling K. Brown received an Academy Award nomination for his role in American Fiction in 2024 and won an Emmy for narrating Lincoln: Divided We Stand in 2021.
As of now, Rotten Tomatoes has assessed Paradise with an early score of 86% based on critiques from seven different reviewers, leading to an average rating of 7.1 out of 10. Although this score may vary as more reviews come in, it marks a continuation of Fogelman’s successful trajectory, as he hasn’t faced a negative reception from critics since 2012’s The Neighbors (31%).
Potential for Paradise
A Promising Future Awaits
While Hulu’s recent success with mystery and thriller content is noteworthy, Paradise distinguishes itself for several reasons. Critics have generally celebrated the series for its compelling cast, character development, and engaging writing, urging viewers to experience its twists without spoilers. However, some have mentioned a potential overwhelm due to the show’s ambitious storytelling. Despite this, the consensus is that Fogelman’s latest endeavor is a distinctive and captivating watch.
If the favorable reviews translate effectively to audience feedback and robust viewership, Paradise could solidify its success and prompt a Season 2 renewal. This would position Fogelman uniquely as the creative force behind two concurrent mystery series on Hulu, particularly as Only Murders in the Building has completed its fourth season and been renewed for a fifth.
Our Perspective on the Rotten Tomatoes Score
The Path Ahead for Paradise
Although the official premiere of Paradise is just days away, it appears poised to resonate with audiences as well as critics. Historical precedence shows that audience scores can sometimes be slightly lower than critic ratings, yet only one of Dan Fogelman’s series has received a negative audience score to date. Indeed, his shows generally achieve strong user ratings, often exceeding 80%.
Here’s a summary of the user ratings from previous Fogelman series compared to their critic scores:
| Title | Critic Score | Audience Score |
|---|---|---|
| The Neighbors (2012-2014) | 31% | 82% |
| Galavant (2015-2016) | 89% | 93% |
| Grandfathered (2015-2016) | 71% | 59% |
| Pitch (2016) | 93% | 83% |
| This Is Us (2016-2022) | 94% | 81% |
| Only Murders in the Building (2021-) | 96% | 90% |
Additionally, the inaugural season of This Is Us peaked with a user score of 91%, making it one of Fogelman’s most successful outings, rivaled only by the short-lived Galavant. Given Fogelman’s impressive track record, Paradise is well-positioned to achieve an audience score above 80%.This potential, in conjunction with its strong critic rating, could significantly enhance the show’s visibility and appeal to a broader demographic.
Paradise is set to premiere with its first three episodes on Hulu on January 28, followed by weekly installments every Tuesday.
Source: Rotten Tomatoes
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