Genius
Reception

Genius (2017)

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External reception

8.2
4 platform(s) · 6 ratings 21,652 votes
8.2/10 21,239 votes Synced 2026-08-20
Audience 5.9/10 101 votes Synced 2026-07-22
Critics 6.2/10 Synced 2026-07-22
Audience 6.2/10 Synced 2026-07-22
Critics 7.1/10 Synced 2026-07-22
7.5/10 312 votes Synced 2026-09-03

External reviews

Aramide Tinubu · Variety 100.00/100.00

“MLK/X” offers a refreshing, enthralling perspective that echoes the mastery of Raoul Peck’s James Baldwin-centered documentary “I Am Not Your Negro.” ... In the careful hands of these actors, Malcolm X and Dr. King become tangible.

synced 2026-07-22
Judy Berman · Time 80.00/100.00

Aretha is an uneven yet largely thoughtful, gripping and visually stunning portrait of a generational talent. Its sensitive, though not hagiographic, narrative illuminates a superstar with a widely beloved body of work but a poorly understood biography and inner life.

synced 2026-07-22
Brian Lowry · CNN 80.00/100.00

Deriving its episodic subtitles from Franklin songs, "Genius: Aretha" is a testament to that hard work. And like the best musical biographies, it enhances an appreciation of Franklin's life and career, with an ease and grace that makes it look easy.

synced 2026-07-22
Verne Gay · Newsday 88.00/100.00

Beautiful production, first-rate performances, notably the one that counts most — Erivo's.

synced 2026-07-22
Fletcher Peters · Paste Magazine 78.00/100.00

Understanding Franklin’s familial relationships are key to her music and her life, but the layers upon layers of context can make some segments drag. This is a dilemma most biopics face, however, and Aretha makes up for it with a bevy of whip-smart performers and breathtaking melodic sequences.

synced 2026-07-22
Lorraine Ali · Los Angeles Times 80.00/100.00

For nongeniuses, this joyful-to-watch series will answer every question you never had about space and time relativity.

synced 2026-07-22
Ed Bark · Uncle Barky 83.00/100.00

The series repeatedly bounces around, but coherently so. And in the early going at least, Flynn’s performance is the more interesting and affecting while also consuming considerably more screen time.

synced 2026-07-22
Bruce Miller · Sioux City Journal 80.00/100.00

Aptly named, Genius is kinetic.

synced 2026-07-22
Neil Genzlinger · The New York Times 80.00/100.00

Judging from the first two episodes, this is a skillfully acted, richly detailed historical show that would not be out of place on PBS or a high-end pay-cable outlet.

synced 2026-07-22
Mark Dawidziak · Cleveland Plain Dealer 80.00/100.00

Worth watching? Oh yeah, particularly for the genius of Rush and Flynn. Despite the inconsistent nature of the dialogue, the series obviously has much to recommend it. It's superior, if not superlative.

synced 2026-07-22

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