X
- 2023
- TV-MA
- HBO Max
- 2023
- TV-MA
- HBO Max
- 2023
- TV-MA
- HBO Max
- 2023
- TV-MA
- HBO Max
Velma
Season 1 Premiere: Jan 5, 2023
54
Where to Watch
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 19 Critic Reviews
54
37% Positive
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
42% Mixed
8 Reviews
8 Reviews
21% Negative
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 19 Critic Reviews
54
37% Positive
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
42% Mixed
8 Reviews
8 Reviews
21% Negative
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
Velma’s suspense isn’t gripping on its own, but it doesn’t matter. The voice performances make the brief lulls worth it. The actors are clearly having a ball, with the warm chemistry between Kaling, Wu, Richardson, and Howerton shining through even though they don’t appear on screen. The supporting cast is equally charming.
With a “zoinks” here and a “jeepers” there, “Velma” looks out for the grownups and crafts something new and, yes, groovy from the familiar. It also sets a template for retooling other aging properties to entertain everyone from Gen X to Millennials. (Looking right at you, “G.I. Joe,” "Snorks" and “Jem.”) Because what they’ve baked into these Scooby Snacks definitely needs to be shared.
“Velma” is doing a lot — possibly too much — but there are emotional beats and comedic gags that do land amid a saturated creative canvas, including arcs for the future Mysteries, Inc gang that combine existing backstory with eclectic “Velma” flourishes (a big Fred twist leads to some truly outrageous scenes in later episodes).
The animation is bright, poppy, and fun, the cast is game, and some solid gags do emerge from what’s been seen so far. But even if it could get over its tonal issues in a second season, it’s hard to hope that it’ll have a chance to do so.
For every solid crack (“Ranking hot girls is exactly how the Trojan War and Facebook started!”), there’s an observation that feels like a repurposed Twitter draft from some harried screenwriter’s folder.
“Velma” consists of too much “Why not?” and too little “Why?” ... More than that, these characters are just really unpleasant to spend time with, and it starts at the top with Velma, whose selfish and misanthropic tendencies aren’t diluted by her moments of vulnerability. Daphne isn’t much better. ... Absent even a wisp of genuine reverence for the source material. ... The biggest mystery of “Velma” is why it needs to exist.
The show actually is misogynist, and totally devoid of nuance. ... Velma’s mistakes might be forgivable if it was at least funny. But it’s not. And so, we’re left with a show that makes no one laugh and makes everyone mad, and doesn’t even have a great theme song.
Production Company:
- Charlie Grandy Productions
- Kaling International
- 3 Arts Entertainment
- Warner Bros. Animation
- HBO Max
Initial Release Date: Jan 5, 2023
Number of seasons: 2 Seasons
Rating: TV-MA
Awards
ReFrame
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
Casting Society of America, USA
• 1 Nomination