Swimming with Sharks (2022– ) User Reviews

This is not one of those stories

[bosporan · 5/10 · 16 April 2022]

Fabulous transition performance from Kiernan Shipka, who sheds her girl-next-door image, as the deranged Lou seeking to find her place in Hollywood. Other than that though, this show is a mashup of clichés with an overly elaborate and ultimately unbelievable spine.

Had potential, but overplayed its hand.

Watch the 1994 original instead

[jodymelnick · 6/10 · 15 April 2022]

This series has almost nothing in common with the 1994 cult classic of the same name. It's a weak combo of a lot of films/series you have already seen. The good news it's somewhat short. It may have been a more effective 2 hour movie.

Started good, ended bad

[g-melito · 5/10 · 31 May 2022]

The show started good. There was a great potential which wasn't used by the end of the show. Acting was great, technically brilliant but unfortunately written poorly starting from episode 4.

It Wanted To Be Sally Draper Goes To Hollywood, But Only Got to The Valley

[DeanNYC · 6/10 · 7 May 2022]

Swimming With Sharks is a case where the puzzle pieces don't fit but we're just forcing them in place, mostly based on tropes.

We have the out of town intern, Lou, played by Kiernan Shipka. She's joining the team of Fountain Pictures, run by studio chief, Joyce Holt (Diane Kruger) who still must answer to the sickly owner of the company, Redmond (Donald Sutherland). And Lou has her menacing overseers, the guys running the intern pool Alex and Travis (Ross Butler and Thomas Dekker).

The meteoric rise of Lou, from her first placement right outside of Ms. Holt's office, to becoming Holt's essential right hand is similar in tone to Don Draper's history from Ms. Shipka's previous series "Mad Men." Only Lou is more unsavory than even the 1960s Ad Exec in ways that maybe even Don himself might raise an eyebrow over.

The problem is in all of the elements to do with these characters, what we would expect them to do and what we believe about them, based on what they have done. In many of these cases, characters do or state things that don't seem to fit who they are or what we believe they would likely do in that circumstance and that always spoils the narrative.

Most importantly, with the character of Lou, I expected her to have a plan for every possible contingent, based on how she had dreamed, since childhood, of being where she was and how she has arranged everything to get herself to the upper reaches of Hollywood.

There are some definite good moments for each actor throughout, but they get skewered by all of the unbelievable ones. Everybody here deserved better.

The Little Girl From "The Bad Seed"* Grows Up

[leftbanker-1 · 7/10 · 25 April 2022]

This series deserves my rating of 7 simply because it is very dark (and by "dark" I mean noir and not poorly lit), something Hollywood rarely wants to touch with a ten-foot pole. Film makers aren't afraid of violence, not even a little, but it's mostly of the cartoonish variety like John Wick of superhero doggerel in which there are no consequences for the actions. They will show brains painting walls that would put Jackson Pollock to shame, but dark and noir scare the crap out of most film makers. That's too edgy, too emotional, so better just stick to over-the-top Road Runner cartoon violence so as not to upset anyone.

I would rate this even higher if they hadn't thrown a monkey wrench into the pacing in the middle episodes with a few inexplicable music videos which completely deflated the tension they had built in the beginning.

*The Bad Seed 1956 knew a lot about being dark. Totally creeped me out when I watched it when I was ten or eleven.

The Jury is still out

[digitalbrian · 7/10 · 15 April 2022]

I see huge potential in this show and the fact that it is on Roku channel is insane, I would have expected this on a streaming service like Apple+ or even HBOMAX.

So far I find the pace to be a little slow and the writing a bit chubby but that being said the paformances are great especially from Shipka.

Give it a chance, I know I will.

Wasted potential

[sguinnane2 · 4/10 · 15 April 2022]

Does the world really want or need an erotic thriller starring Kiernan Shipka? I didn't necessarily need a faithful carbon copy of the original movie but this strays a bit far into Single White Female territory. Super cringe Usual Suspects paraphrase I think in the second episode-if a studio employee can't properly quote The Usual Suspects I'm pretty sure that's a fireable offense. Big red flag when a drama is in a half hour format.

Love, love, love it

[kirbie2182 · 10/10 · 21 April 2022]

Blown away. I get it, it's hammy, but it works for me. Not all shows have to be House of cards or whatever, like it's okay to throw in some ridiculousness. I really like it. The episodes were so short, like and I binged it so fast that I just don't even know what to say other than don't listen to the negative reviews honestly. I need more of this show and now I'm pissed reading some of the negative reviews. I too like everyone else I'm shocked that it wasn't picked up by something like Netflix or whatever but damn.

Trashy entertainment

[jrayer · 6/10 · 16 April 2022]

This may look like prestige TV, but rest assured that it is not. It is entertaining, though. The plot twists are out of a soap opera and characters are as clichéd as they come. Donald Sutherland playing his best Harvey Weinstein is a scene stealer.

Misses the lessons of the 1994 original

[robshane-53321 · 4/10 · 17 August 2022]

The re-written version of the 2022 Swimming with Sharks misses the tough-to-come-to-grips-with lessons portrayed in the 1994 original movie. The 2022 series is fine for a consumptive time-passer... The 1994 original will stick with you for life.

Super intense

[fell-94222 · 10/10 · 28 May 2022]

In my opinion, Kiernan Shipka is one of the new and only actresses with star potential. She's so present and intense, it couldn't be better. The story is fine and well told.

Not The Same Theme As Original Movie

[Acid_Reflex · 6/10 · 16 April 2022]

This is nothing like the original movie starring Kevin Spacey which was about a Hollywood monster turning an innocent dreamer into another Hollywood monster. This is the exact opposite. It's more like THE TEMP or SINGLE WHITE FEMALE (i.e. Intern from hell).

Not sure why you would do that to this theme, but if you know that it's not totally terrible, though it is choppy and cryptic with not much character development.

Less cheese please

[mstaffordca · 5/10 · 18 April 2022]

So cheesy! Just wow. Waste of talent. All cliches and extra cheese. Barely made it thru first episode count wait for it to be over. What happened to quality entertainment? I've started watching primarily UK series, they have substance, quality and depth!

Incomplete and flawed

[johnschubert-93854 · 6/10 · 29 April 2022]

I gives this series 6 Stars based solely on the what Kieran Shipka and Diane Kruger offered. The series was 6 episodes and seemed like it was limited due to financial considerations. The premise and the potential story had merits. Unfortunately, the characters (Joyce and Lou) were not developed sufficiently which left unanswered questions about what shaped their personalities and determined their actions. And, there were substantial holes in the story, particularly in Episode 6. With appropriate development of both the characters and the storyline another 4 episodes would have been warranted. And, it easily could have been expanded to a Season 2. Unfortunately, Shipka and Kruger's brilliant portrayals we're wasted.

Lots of potential here

[luicruz · 6/10 · 17 April 2022]

I like the writing quite a bit and the performances so far have been excellent. I do feel that the editing or production could have been a little better, but so far it's not bad. It's a very short show so I would recommend watching it.

Good but would have benefited from a slower pace

[CeeCeeCooper · 6/10 · 29 April 2022]

I enjoyed this show. It was great escapism: flashy and addicting. However, it felt like a movie edited into 6 episodes with repeated images to expand its runtime rather than a full series. I feel like we got about 2 seasons worth of storyline in 6 episodes. The pace needed to slow down. Even 2 more episodes would have benefited the series.

When Travis began to investigate Lou, it came out of nowhere. There wasn't enough at that point to warrant such suspicion. I'd have liked to see more of his realization and mistrust.

WHY did Lou kill Alex? I still don't understand. How was he a threat to her? Was she simply trying to get closer to Joyce by eliminating her other assistants?

So she was still an intern approving rewrites on a big-budget film? HOW did that trust come about?

More of her backstory was needed (also, why did those flashbacks feel like they were set in the 40s? So weird.) Why was Lou in a mental institution?

I think this could have been great if we had more episodes to flesh out the story and themes, but it just feels like a movie that deleted a bunch of scenes for runtime.

The 5 Stars is for Production Value - Shipka Transition Project

[Eric-865-214008 · 5/10 · 16 April 2022]

This show has a few levels to discuss but in the end its nothing more than an adult version of Don Draper with Shipka as the poor soul trying to find herself.

This is a modern tale of have and have nots. The juxtaposition and cinematic style brings out something stunning to watch but in the end you are left with nothing.

Shipka does her best to be an adult and do adult things. It's funny how Hollywood talks about all the disgusting things they make you do to get a part, then they actually make actors do them on the screen as if that is virtuous. Pathetic.

Lionsgate must be as pathetic as the characters to actually rip off Mad Men as if the Shipka transition needed it. What a lack of thought. Stop taking X and write something original and watchable.

If it wasn't for the cinematography, production design, and wardrobe this story would be a soap opera. In the end its nothing but a shallow melodrama that wishes for their audience to slit their own throats.

You hire a woman to do a man's job and then turn male characters into the victims you so despise in yourself. It's such an obvious joke on yourself and a virtuous us vs them illustration, I wanted to take a nap or something more constructive like clean the dirt from under my nails. Yes, this is that awful.

The imagery is great. The director did a fantastic job to cover for the shallowness that was this script. This is nothing more than a psychopath having full access into Hollywood, I'm thinking I should just do it that way instead of being sane.

Sorry, no thanks.

I hope this helps Shipka's career because that's all it was for in this case. The behavior and hate filled stereotypes of old white men in power was truly embarrassing. Sutherland and Kruger took the money and ran as quickly as they could as this tripe was definitely beneath them.

Otherwise, it was pretty good.

Great to binge trash we all need

[abwetman-1-817328 · 8/10 · 23 October 2022]

This exactly the mindless reworking of ALL about Eve we need. The trashiness is so wonderful Shipka playing the Anne Baxter role but with more of a psychopathic edge And With Sutherland giving his Harvey Weinstein impression and. Diane Kruger A Sherry Lansing vibe.

The gay assistance playing the bitichy vibe to the max.by. Thomas. Dekker

iI is like a train wreck you cant look away from.

Because it is about the Hollywood film industry all the cast are ridiculously beautiful

Of course some nudity and mild drug taking and a few good cameos

It guarantees Shipka will be many more projects just like EVE.

Surprisingly good series

[helgis-63120 · 7/10 · 10 June 2022]

I've expected the worst after enjoying the original, but it's actually very well made and I want to congratulate among others Dana Brunetti, because his influence as executive producer is quite obvious... Acting is very good , but Diane Kruger stands out for me channeling Spacey's style to perfection. And when you see some of his mannerisms on a female... It's actually hilarious and quite charming. The original has been changed drastically and yet it's somehow more original than the cult 1994 film.

Library of cliches

[Almost_Soldout · 3/10 · 15 April 2022]

Another mediocre woke show. Poorly written and acted badly. Couldn't finish the first episode. There is the way better content on the market but some people might like it tho.

Girl Power!

[bretttonin-77439 · 10/10 · 19 April 2022]

Super interesting to see how this series portrays the struggles women face in the workplace. From misogynies, pregnancy's, and harassment. Written by a Hollywood actor herself, Kathleen Robertson brings her own personal experiences in Hollywood to the forefront of this series.

SKIP! TERRIBLE UNBELIEVABLE STORY, EVERYONE IS STUPID AND FOOLED BY A YOUNG NEW HIRE! PATHETIC!

[ACA13 · 1/10 · 2 November 2022]

SKIP! TERRIBLE UNBELIEVABLE STORY, EVERYONE IS STUPID AND FOOLED BY A YOUNG NEW HIRE! PATHETIC!

We are to believe that in a blink of an eye, a young (not too attractive) intern is capable of manipulating everyone and the ice-queen boss.

The only one who isn't a fool is the old patriarch.

Pace wayyyy too fast not in a dynamic way but just unbelievable way.

Cliches and stereotypes gallore.

I can't believe this was made in 2022!

*** SPOILERS FROM NOW ON *** Manipulating everyone to the point where she donates her eggs to get her boss pregnant, have sex with her boss, her boss's husband and more...while killing an employer to take his place, poison a dog to eliminate another employer...all this in a blink of an eye.

The old patriarch wasn't fooled but that got him killed.

SKIP!

WOW!

[goddesslikewoman · 9/10 · 16 April 2022]

It was by sheer chance that I came across this show, and I was immediately hooked. I actually had to do a double take when I saw this was on Roku, and not Netflix or other big name streamer.

The acting was superb, the script enthralling, and as I have not seen the 1994 movie of the same name, that I only now realized had the same story line, for me this was a very original premise.

Strongly recommend it, and hope and pray that they have a second, and third season to binge watch soon.

Ms. and ms. Disappointments

[Almost_Soldout · 3/10 · 19 April 2022]

What kind of Sabrina's dimensions is it?

Seriously, why everything is so bad here? Was there a plot or it's just a improvisation?

Btw did they even have any stylists at the stage? Why everyone is so random and outdated?

Good Show Needs more time

[jasonjackson-50606 · 8/10 · 19 April 2022]

If this had been an HBO Max exclusive it would've been much better. Also the character of Matilda should've had more screen time, and Miles should've ended up with her. Hopefully if another season is made, they will rectify this.