Ray Donovan (2013–2020) User Reviews (382)

The Ray Donovan Drinking Game...

[TakeUpReel · 9/10 · 14 July 2020]

Take a shot if a character says:

• What?
• Sure
• It doesn't matter
• Get in the car

If you really want to raise the stakes, take a half shot every time a character says:

• F. you
• Go F. yourself

You may want to have medical professionals standing by for the last two.

This show started off great. It got boring during the middle seasons, but season 6 was very good. I have mixed emotions about season 7. They provided a lot of interesting back story for a few characters, but they left a lot of loose threads at the end.

The whole series showed way too much of Ray's daughter. She got somewhat interesting in Season 6, but then I, once again, lost interest in her during season 7.

I'm glad Ray's son wasn't shown much during the last few seasons. He was an annoying character from the beginning.

Overall, it's a good show if you can stick with the boring bits.

Ray never eats.

[jhill-33 · 8/10 · 10 April 2019]

I have watched every episode and find it funny since season 1 Ray basically spends his day with a coffee at home then to the gym for a whisky,then to the office for a whisky,then to various potential clients for a whisky.Then comes home at night and has a whisky and nurses various wounds he got throughout his day and then wakes up and repeats again the next day. So in summation tough guys can get stabbed,beat up,and shot and they can just go home and take off the bloody clothes and have drinks and be recovered by morning all on an empty stomach.Too funny.

Looks like another hit Original from Showtime

[lulzpharcyde · 9/10 · 1 July 2013]

I had to review this show after seeing the current reviews posted. At the moment there are 4 written reviews and all but one are HIGHLY critical and undeserved in my opinion.

The casting is brilliant. Acting is right on. Writing is great. Direction is fantastic. Cinematography is top notch. Am I watching a different show?

I could go on with praises of all the elements of Ray Donovan, but it would just be repetitive and monotonous, and I would run out of synonyms.

I truly think Showtime has it's next hit to fill in the gap left by Dexter next season.

I don't want to go into arcs, plot, etc. and spoil anything. I just wanted to make sure there was another positive review posted, so even more people give Ray Donovan a chance. Believe me, if you have liked Showtime's other amazing Originals, you'll love it as much as I do.

Excellent!!

[Supermanfan-13 · 10/10 · 14 July 2022]

Ray Donovan is a flat out awesome tv show! It really is an incredible show, especially the earlier seasons! The last two seasons aren't quite as good but still worth watching. Liev Schreiber is perfect as Ray Donovan and leads an amazing all around cast that are all at the top of their game here. I absolutely recommend this show to anyone who loves a good drama with plenty of action!

Flat Out Awesome Show!

[Rob1331 · 10/10 · 29 September 2022]

Ray Donovan is about a fixer (Liev Schreiber) for Hollywood elites like celebrities, athletes, business moguls, etc. It's dark, gritty and just an overall fun show. The acting is so good here, the entire cast really makes you invested in their characters and care what happens to them. I've loved Ray Donovan from the very first episode of season 1 until the end. But like most here have already said, the last few seasons and the movie are not as good but still not bad. The only bad part of the show are his kids, especially Bridget. They just come off as spoiled and entitled and don't appreciate anything their dad does for them. Not too much to say other than this show was fantastic, if you don't believe me just read through the reviews. Most people who've seen it love it!

Sláinte

[dnau-42126 · 10/10 · 26 July 2019]

So I was bored last week and needed a show to watch. I decided to skim through Showtime and decided on giving Ray Donovan a try. Well here I am four days later and I'm on episode 10 of season 6. Wowzer does this show blow me away. I love the grittiness, the laughs, the emotional value and the edge of your seat action that I get from this show. I read alot of the reviews on here and kept hearing about how season 5 was a disappointment. Well I couldn't agree less. Every season has been amazing. I'm actually dreading that I'm coming up to the end. Happy to read that they have already started production of season 7. This show is a win in my book. Highly recommend. And it doesn't hurt that I am a Boston girl, born and raised. Love shows that make me feel at home.

Best family drama since The Sopranos?

[cybercipher · 9/10 · 7 July 2013]

I watched the first episode of Ray Donovan without knowing much about the plot or characters. Liev Schrieber is fantastic in the lead role and is reminiscent of Tony Soprano in that he is a dark, violent lead male under constant stress who is protective and nurturing of those he loves, while at the same time projecting an aura of violence and danger to those who would cross him. One scene, where Ray menaces a man who double-crosses him is particularly chilling. The supporting characters are also very solid. Paula Malcomson, (Ray's wife Abby) under-utilized in Deadwood is here allowed to flex her acting muscles in several scenes with Schreiber. Also in the show is the great Jon Voigt, who plays Ray's father. The conflict between them is set up right away in this first episode and one senses an Oedipal confrontation coming somewhere down the line. Most series start out weak and get better as the show grows and develops. This show, however, started out with a bang. If it gets BETTER it will very soon be the best show on television.

THIS IS BULLS**T

[Jennifer138 · 10/10 · 8 February 2020]

I have been a captivated by the Donovans since it began and to be honest I am at loss for words at the erratic cancelation!!!! I have appreciated everything about this show and it at least deserved a proper ending!

Incredible

[carriecy109 · 10/10 · 16 July 2013]

In watching Ray Donovan, the characters have such a believable existence that you can't help but wonder about the things the rich and famous we read about daily really do. I will not be able to read about a scandal without wondering if a "cleaner" was involved. This show is a true testament to those creators and writers who have brought about something so new and fresh that all other current series seem to pale in comparison. At times, the laugh out loud tastelessness of things being said just leaves me wanting more. Even if feeling slightly guilty for laughing. I am hoping this show stays raw and powerful and witty and that we will get many more seasons of the same.

How to ruin a perfectly good show

[odeschry-895-805548 · 6/10 · 18 November 2019]

Seasons 1-2 are pretty fun dark thrillers. The formula gets a bit more of day time drama like BS in season 3-4 but remains pretty entertaining. By Season 5 it lost all of the original fun - only way to watch it is to fast forward all the melodramatic flashbacks - you can watch the season in 2-3 hours doing so and you will not loose a single thing of value from this season. Season 6 tries to track back to original ideas but I found Season 5 to be so insulting to the basic intelligence of viewers that I simply couldn't get in to it anymore.

This trend the studios have to kill the formula that made a show popular with cheap drama is really getting to be obnoxious.

Brilliant! Just brilliant

[mrskv78 · 10/10 · 12 July 2013]

I heard about this show from friends who were discussing new shows. They were raving about it and how good it is. Also going on about Liev Schreiber and how good he is in it. Decided to check it out myself and I was not disappointed. Good solid story lines. Great cast. Its about time that a show of this quality is shown. Just hope whoever does the marketing this show does a better job as I have never even seen a commercial or ad for this show. I hope it doesn't get cancelled because no one knows of its existence. So many good shows get cancelled that way and then we get stuck with another trashy reality TV show. I also like that there isn't just one story line. There are many story lines going on. Jon Voight is also a great actor and I was happy to see him in a good TV show.

WTF Season 5

[oneiljack-54817 · 7/10 · 1 November 2018]

Seasons 1-4 were great loved the show till i got to season 5. WTF is this BS who ever wrote it this way ruined the series. i could not stand to watch most of season 5. all the flash back bs just killed it. worst idea ever. if i was watching it on live tv i would have given up on the show all together, but i was watching online so i just skipped threw most of every episode. they repeatedly flashed back to the same stuff over and over and over and over and over again. it would have gotten a 10 star rating just for season 1-4 but then i watch season 5 and couldnt do that. i would recomend just skipping season 5 all together. hopefully season 6 is better.

A great new gritty drama

[fathersonholygore · 15 July 2013]

I think Liev Schreiber is great as it is, but he plays an interesting role in Ray Donovan, and backed by an equally interesting cast. It took me until the second episode for the show to really catch me; when it did, it did big time. We often get a little glimpse of father/son relationships in certain shows, but Ray Donovan gets real gritty with that area. In fact, the whole family aspect gets a very unique spin here compared to others.

So far, I'm loving this show. It's a refreshing piece of work. The acting is wonderful. Jon Voight gets to show off his acting chops (for any naysayers, they can naysay forever- Voight can act!), and of course the dynamic between him and Schreiber plays well. Eddie Marsan and Dash Mihok are enjoyable to see in the smaller roles of Ray's brothers; one with Parkinsons, the other an addict (of anything he can get his hands on). The story of the Donovan family has a lot of depth to it, and I'm excited to see where it goes as the season goes on. Ray's job, the location, Hollywood, the rich and famous; these things just add some exciting texture to it. It's so far, in my opinion, a brilliant new show. As I said before, I love Lieve Schreiber, and I hope this show will do at least reasonably well! I absolutely love it. 10 out of 10 so far.

Post edit 07/14/14: I've just finished watching the Season 2 premiere, and wow- it did not disappoint. Ray Donovan just gets better and better as a show. There is already some exciting stuff about to come up and the first episode only just came on! The very last part of the first episode this season was so bad ass; even if Ray was a tough son-of-whaat, he now I am in serious awe of his toughness. Everybody should be watching this! Great cast, great writing, great characters.

What happened??

[jpcjcpd · 2/10 · 29 October 2018]

Was an 8/9. Now? Not so much......

Season 1 to season 3 were great. Then, midway through season four the show went off the rails.

I couldn't even make it through the entire season five before I stopped watching. All the flashbacks and weepy moments that have nothing to do with the story were incredibly off putting.

It's a shame. Please fire whoever ruined this once great show.

"Ray Donovan" is a winner

[851222 · 10/10 · 12 July 2013]

Greetings from Lithuania.

"Ray Donovan" is definitely the best drama of this year. The show is so rich in characters, and subplots that it's a joy to watch every scene. This is the most interesting family drama since "Sopranos". Yes, it's that good. It touches themes that you won't see in regular shows, and it approaches them in gritty yet very realistic and human way. I think "Ray Donovan" will definitely win some big awards, and will gain a cult status pretty soon.

Overall, if you are tired from all standard shows, and want to watch something true to life, "Ray Donovan" is not to be missed.

Deserves more Emmy awards!

[CarmaChan · 10/10 · 27 January 2015]

The previews and billboards of this Showtime series did nothing to intrigue or attract me as a viewer. I watched the pilot merely because there was nothing else to watch and I was slightly curious, and because I really like Liev as an actor, and Jon Voight is always great. I got hooked because of the underlying forces at work that shape the personalities of Ray and his brothers. It was a total shocker and gripping, believable surprise.

I really wanted this show to win more awards. It is the only show I'm aware of that has tackled one of the most difficult social issues of our time. It is so well written one must wonder if the writers are close to people who are wrestling with these issues.

This is a must-see series and it really deserves more recognition, not only for the excellent writing, but the casting and acting and directing. Ray Donovan is Showtime's best new drama!

What's not to like?

[godkingmedia · 9/10 · 12 August 2013]

Incredibly unique show, the writing is phenomenal and the acting is a great compliment to it...The show has a style and vibe that I really can't compare to anything and it's dark humor is top notch...Almost every scene is entertaining because the characters are so great and I really enjoy how portions of the background story are unveiled week by week...If there's one negative I can imagine someone saying about the show is that it's a bit of a slow starter...I don't even think this show has hit third gear yet and I'm already hooked...Just hope they don't smother all the greatness out of it like they did to Dexter..but that's another review

SAD IT HAD TO END...

[MadamWarden · 9/10 · 7 June 2022]

My brother convinced me to subscribe to Paramount to watch this series, which I obviously did and binge watched over the past few weeks. That is a looot of watching. I can honestly say that my interest never flagged.

The delightful cameos by the many guest stars helped but the performances of Schreiber and Voight were superlative. Reaffirmed their talent as A-list performers.

Voight is an inspiration!! His effervescent energy at 80+ years is truly unbelievable. Wow!!!

Series 5 was a disaster. Glad to be rid of Abby, but what an interminably boring way to be rid of her. An entire series. Much fast forwarding required. Honestly her and the daughter Brigitte were the only downside to the series. Annoying to the core. Other female characters were great, and Sandy in the final few series was sensational. One of the best characters ever. In any series!

I highly recommend this series. Captivatingly brilliant!!

Excellent

[the_dude_abides_ · 9/10 · 16 March 2022]

I just want to say that Abby Donovan is the most annoying character on the face of the earth. Also, Mickey Donovan is hilarious and Jon Voight is a legend. Watch this show, it's fantastic.

Judging it now after 4 episodes

[Phil_bowers1975 · 10/10 · 31 July 2013]

I'm not sure how so many people could write a review after 1 episode of this drama. i must admit it was a very good episode but judging it after one episode is like looking at a race horse before you've seen it run.

now after 4 episodes, i think i'm able to call this series very very good. it hasn't spilt all the story up to quickly, and you are still seeing layers to characters, especially John Voights.

yes there a few clichés, and you could even describe this series as a little "sopranos like" (man in complete control of professional life as a semi gangster, when his personal life is out of his control) but it is original enough to keep me interested.

All the actors are top notch, the plot lines are gripping and i cannot wait for more Ray Donovan to be made and shown.

Above average but NOT Season 5

[qui_j · 7/10 · 13 January 2021]

The show really started off well, interesting premise, good story lines through seasons 1-4. Then Season 5 happened and sucked the life out of the show. It's as if everyone decided to go on some sort of hiatus and the show just bottoms out at that point. What were they thinking? It's no wonder that the series was abruptly cancelled after Season 7. I guess the network was afraid of another Season 5. Never could understand the point of killing off the Abby character!

Great writing, great acting, immersive, engaging

[PaxD75 · 8/10 · 1 February 2021]

This is a solid drama - with the lead character helping upper crusty (mostly) Hollywood types safeguard their positions in society. In addition to the basic premise, the lives (and issues) of the Donovan family are explored.

Ray Donovan drives a good portion of this drama - but as a strong silent type - it is the lives of his family, associates and clients that keep the viewers fully engaged. Jon Voight delivers a remarkable performance as the troublesome father - and I think it is his role that helps elevate this series past a 6-7 rating. He really spices things up.

The lives of his brothers (Bunchy, Terry and Daryll) - while not compelling in themselves; add a real-life substance to the series - helping make this a serious drama.

I think the series suffers when we delve into Ray's immediate family - his wife (Abby) and his children (Bridget and Conor). You might have a different take on their roles but I personally found them uninteresting and often irritating.

Abby doesn't seem to have a real role - she's not quite a mother, not a knowing/wise wife - but instead comes across as a needy teenager. Her scenes are passable and still somewhat watchable because of Paula Malcomson's impressive acting ability.

Conor, the son, completely forgettable. His life doesn't engage nor does it irritate - it's simply meh - filler material.

Bridget, on the other hand, plays the typical (Hollywood) epically annoying teenage girl. You will want to fast forward anytime she appears at 100x speed but... you'll miss out on characters like Marvin and Cookie. So you have to put up with her (it won't be easy). Since the rest of the series is so strong, Bridget is unable to single-handedly destroy the series (which Hollywood-written teenage girls often do).

I am reviewing this after watching 3 seasons. I'm tempted to rate this a 6 because I dislike the epically irritating Bridget character so much. But there is so much more going on, so many other great characters, so many outstanding performances (from strong emotions to nuances) that this series is easily an 8 - despite the annoying teenager.

May update review later (since I plan on watching all 7 years). It's been bingeable good!

Title is misleading. It should be called THE DONOVANS.

[Dr_Sagan · 10 October 2014]

This is a series supposedly about a professional "fixer" for Rich and famous in L.A. Well. If that was true though then it is more than reasonable to expect that you will see some...well..."fixing"! I mean if this was supposed to be about a lawyer you obviously should expect to see some trials and a courtroom, and if the protagonist was a doctor you expect to see at least the corridors of a hospital and some people in white blouses talking about patients!

Well, the premise as advertised is totally misleading.

The show it's about a highly dysfunctional family where the patriarch {Mickey Donovan) is a career criminal who spend 2 decades in jail for murder. His 3-4 children (now around the age of 40) where two of them, including the titular character, were raped repeatedly by a priest. A couple of grandchildren with serious behavioral problems and their ...neurotic mother (his daughter in law).

The show it should called THE DONOVANS. Much more clear and suitable title.

The cast is very good. And the acting. But it's essential a family melodrama with over the top situations and you should treat it as such.

The FBI is also present, but more as a caricature of itself so don't expect a police drama either. Humor or clever situations are completely absent, so don't expect it to be entertaining. Unless you think an illusion of a ...talking horse that gives you tips at the race tracks funny, so its fine by me.

I should probably bash the show and give it 1 out of 10, but I watch all the episodes in its 2 seasons (with steadily diminished interest) and out of "courtesy" alone I'm giving it a 4/10.

Good for the first 4 seasons.

[theanomaloushost · 7/10 · 5 June 2020]

Stop watching after season 4. The show takes a big drop in quality from which it never recovers after that. Plus it's a solid season to end the series on. Not much regarding loose threads, various character arcs resolved in a good way, bittersweet like most seasons, and the series remains engaging.

Season 5 is disappointing, time to call it quits

[cfourie6 · 4/10 · 20 December 2017]

This season could be the most annoying of all the seasons. Where the previous storylines were solid and convincing, this S5 appears to be lost in terms of any real plot other than countless flashbacks and even a flashback in a dream sequence which tells you that the writers have run out of ideas and substance. The death of Abby stretches on forever and while her performance as an actor is remarkable, its just too drawn out and overplayed to keep viewers interested. Ray seems to have gone from monosyllabic to dull mute, not sure its the endless drams of whisky he pours down in every episode or just the stupor he seems to be in after the death of his wifeor maybe just poor acting? The entire family seems to have come down with a severe case of rank stupidity which makes it difficult and very annoying to watch and certainly does not evoke too much sympathy for the characters other than Mickey who as always is played so brilliantly by Jon Voight. Perhaps we don't need a season 6 after this lot.