Dark Matter

Dark Matter (2024) is a dismal misfire that fails on nearly every front. From the outset, it becomes painfully clear that “nothing matters” in this convoluted mess of amateur sci-fi soap opera and tedious family drama. The series boasts poor editing, with jarring cuts and pacing issues that make its already thin narrative feel even more disjointed. The characters are lifeless, reduced to cardboard archetypes who make inexplicably stupid decisions at every turn. The supposed high-concept premise quickly devolves into unintentional comedy, weighed down by endless, repetitive family details that sap any potential for intrigue or suspense. Rather than offering compelling stakes, the show drags viewers through a nonsensical plot that fails to make its point—if it even had one. Any attempts at drama come off as ridiculous, leaving viewers more frustrated than entertained. With no sense of direction or payoff, Dark Matter collapses into a black hole of mediocrity. It’s a waste of time, energy, and life—an experience devoid of entertainment or enlightenment. What could have been an engaging exploration of cosmic and existential themes instead becomes a tragic reminder of how not to make television. Avoid this series at all costs.

Why does every series with a premise based on alternate reality, look a whole lot like every other series with the same premise? The fact is tales of alternate reality have been done to death, so much so, that the whole premise now looks a lot like a cliche. Dark Matter has an instant issue, with this reviewer, for this very reason. There have been series that have pulled it off beautifully, like German series Dark. It worked because there was enough complexity and depth in the alternate reality story, not to mention it played wonderfully with paradoxes. By contrast, Dark Matter feels simplistic and predictable. It was obvious within a few frames who the masked attacker is and what comes after doesn't really improve greatly on this observation. Indeed, its largely unsubtle in its handling, which does little to draw you in or have you asking questions as Dark did. Acting is reasonable, its a solid cast and whilst production values are high, this one just doesn't resonate with me after two, rather pedestrian, episodes. In summary, the simplistic and predictable, lets call it "safe" handling doesn't put this series in the same class, as imaginative risk takers, like Dark. If you have't seen this kind of series before you may still enjoy Dark Matter, I have no doubt. That said, for the more seasoned and jaded science fiction viewers amongst us, its not an alternative reality, its just more of the same.