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- Disney+
- Jun 25, 2021
- Disney+
- Jun 25, 2021
- Disney+
- Jun 25, 2021
- Disney+
- Jun 25, 2021
Where to Watch
Season Episodes
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Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 7 Critic Reviews
66
57% Positive
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
43% Mixed
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 7 Critic Reviews
66
57% Positive
4 Reviews
4 Reviews
43% Mixed
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
With so many colorful characters it’d be easy for a show like “The Mysterious Benedict Society” to lose the plot completely, and that’s a valid fear with the episodes being so lengthy. However, if Manfredi and Hay can maintain the characterization and continue to tackle The Emergency as more of a feeling than a physical thing, it could become the most entertaining kids show you’ll watch.
The Mysterious Benedict Society is smart without being overly precious, but is just weird enough to keep kids’ attention. It helps that the writing and acting help keep things from flying off into Tweeland.
The show’s early going does an elegant job of keeping us in a swiftly rushing story but keeping us wondering, too, about the story’s history and larger ramifications. There are treats for parents here, including giddy and committed performances by Tony Hale as multiple fixtures within the institution and Kristen Schaal as an administrator who is both rule bound and uncertain of the rules.
The first two episodes of The Mysterious Benedict Society didn’t completely blow me away, but they still set up a fun and occasionally dark story that remains faithful to the source material.
The great sorrow is that Disney does not have the courage – or perhaps desire – to lean in to the potential offered by this now-prescient and fertile setup.
The first pair of installments out of the gate are a promising pilot and a redundantly structured second episode with diminishing returns. There could be potential here, but not enough to build real enthusiasm.
“The Mysterious Benedict Society” is too slack even when it tries to stay busy, as it plays a game you don’t get sucked into, so much as bored with.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 6 User Ratings
6.3
83% Positive
5 Ratings
5 Ratings
0% Mixed
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
17% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 6 User Ratings
6.3
83% Positive
5 Ratings
5 Ratings
0% Mixed
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
17% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
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