Riverdale (2017–2023) User Reviews

WHAT IS WITH THE SINGING?!

[MichalMizrachi · 6/10 · 16 December 2021]

Season 1 was great, the actors, the script, the storyline.

Season 2- same.

Everything went downhill from there, the series got really weird with the storyline and very complicated and messy.

Season 5!! Omg the singing, I think I've skipped every single song scene. This is too much, especially episode 18. TOO MUCH SINGING it is driving me nuts. Like every 3 minutes there's a new song coming up. This is NOT A MUSICAL.

Watch only the first two seasons, and leave it alone afterwards.

How is it still surviving?

[pawanpunjabithewriter · 6/10 · 2 July 2021]

Season one was terrific. I honestly rated 8/10. Season two got better and bigger with greater character arcs, suspense and crime-drama. Betty is wonderful. Jughead and FP make a great team. As per me, Season two gets an 8.5.

With ratings escalating, if I were the creater, I wouldn't introduce such a horrific $hit in the season 3. I hated it to the greatest extent. There were, by no means, believable. It was a mixture of supernatural and psychological not-really-a thriller. Nothing in season 3 made sense. Most of the pleasant surprises bestowed on us in the first 2 seasons were all gone.

Please don't watch this show after season 2. It gets sillier and unworthy.

G & G? Seriously? What is that? How can you bring such a horrendous stuff after two miraculous seasons. You could have taken time or thought of something better.

S1: 8/10 S2: 8.5/10 S3: 1/10.

It's enjoyable fluff.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 7/10 · 12 December 2018]

I'm stunned by just how many episodes they've managed to churn out, talk about over egging the pudding. The characters transform inexplicably from week to week, and everything is so absurd, that 99% of it is impossible to comprehend. Yet there is something rather addictive about it, sure it's full of beautiful people, but there are some really interesting characters too, Cheryl in particular, great fun. They have recycled scenes from Carrie, Halloween, and just about every movie you can think of, but who cares, this is low brow, trashy, hugely enjoyable escapism. I would never repeat watch it, but I'll always sit down to a new series. 7/10

Don't take it too seriously

[trimblecali · 4 June 2019]

This show is a teen soap opera. It's meant to be a bit ridiculous. Some episodes/storylines are better than others, for sure. But it's over the top-ness is part of the genre. It's entertaining.

Two seasons of excellence followed by rapid deterioration

[bosporan · 6/10 · 9 May 2022]

The first two seasons are excellent, bringing to life a beloved franchise with intriguing storylines and a decent ensemble cast. The star of the show is undoubtedly Madelaine Petsch as the eccentric Cheryl Blossom, a charismatic, larger-than-life, some-time antagonist who is beguiling, beautiful and brainy.

From season three onwards, it becomes difficult to watch, the plot becomes deranged with characters operating with eccentric abandon well outside their individual motivation or best interests. It stretches credulity to breaking point which is a great disappointment following such a strong start.

Don't Look For Comics In Riverdale

[atlasmb · 8/10 · 30 January 2017]

The Archie Comics that originated in the 1940s were rated "G" for Goofy. Maybe not as goofy as "Scooby Doo", but it was a wholesome (you might say "square") universe. A version of "Archie" was even in bubble gum wrappers for a couple of years.

The universe of "Riverdale" is darker, promising that if you look closer, you can see the "shadows underneath". Sounds like "Twin Peaks".

The show features the characters we expect, but they are multi-dimensional, with problems and desires and secrets. Archie sees himself as flawed, but he wants to make music his life and vocation. Betty (his best friend) sees herself as inadequate, but she wants Archie to be more than a friend. Veronica (who just moved to Riverdale), sees herself as plagued by family history and publicity, but she wants to become a better person.

The show is very well cast. Each actor inhabits his character.

In the first episode, various secrets are alluded to, promising even more complications and conflicts than were revealed in the first installment.

Many standard themes of teen dramas are also part of this show, which may make it feel like home for some viewers. Others may grow weary of the usual tropes: the mean head cheerleader, the gay best friend, the closeted gay jock, the handsome athletic main character, the first day at the new school for the outsider. "Glee" explored many of them. And some of them date back to the forties, when Andy Hardy (the original inspiration for Archie comics) entertained us all with his teenage dramas. The show embraces them and even makes fun of them.

The first episode moves quickly, but not so quickly that viewers cannot follow. The foundation is in place for later episodes that can deliver a deliciously dark story that will entertain and allow its actors to blossom in their roles.

Not bad

[preppy-3 · 7/10 · 27 January 2017]

A dark live action adaptation of the Archie comic books. All the characters from the comic are here--Archie, Reggie, Jughead, Betty, Veronica, Cheryl Blossom, Kevin Kellar...but there are differences. Archie is pumped up and muscular in this one a far cry from the comic. Ms. Grundy is an old ugly teacher in the comic--here she's young and hot. Kellar has blond hair and blue eyes in the comic--here he was dark hair and eyes. Also it seems Moose here is gay or at least bisexual. There's also no humor in this one. It's DARK dealing with mostly murder and sex. It moves fairly quick, the cast is young, attractive and can act. Honestly I was never bored. Worth seeing.

I used to like this show

[feliciaa-08320 · 3/10 · 14 March 2019]

I really liked the first season, the second we're okay but the third I don't even recognize the series I once used to like.

They have 1000 story lines at the same time, new things pop up all the time that makes no sense and some story lines are so unnecessarily because they just mess up the show more and in the end it didn't matter.

Also, (this isn't a "big" problem) but sometimes I think the creators forgets that the main cast is supposed to be 16 and not 20+.

I don't know why I keep watching it, probably because I've waisted so much time on this show and now it just make me laugh because it's so weird.

the first 4 seasons are worth watching

[ealessia · 8/10 · 12 July 2023]

I enjoyed the first 4 seasons. They were really interesting. It was a great teen crime-thriller. After season 4 things just got stupid. I mean I understand you needed new intrigues but that was way too much. The storyline got lost. The caracters were just playing around. The script was bad, really bad (the last seasons). I m sorry for the talent of some of the actors and the good performances that are wasted on a bad script. In season 7, for example they are thrown in the past. If you think about it the whole series becomes SF. If you don t have anything better to do and you re bored you can watch the other seasons.

Addictive

[radiahrivu · 6/10 · 7 February 2017]

I am a die hard fan of the comic series and I know the characters in and out from the comic books. So initially I was disappointed to see the characters being slightly played from a different perspective but the show grows into you. If you love Archies, you cannot at any cost avoid this show. Its different but has certain essential elements from the Archies and I urge viewers to watch it with an open mind. I must admit that the casting has been phenomenal. The acting is great though I expected better from the character Jughead.The storyline is promising. Its obligatory to watch the show because as an advent fan of Archies you would definitely want to see the characters in real life.

First season good, second questionable, third season a 1/10

[tzuuuUUUU · 1/10 · 29 January 2019]

While first season was cheesy it still had an interesting story to follow, it was a great watch all in all for what it was 7.5/10. In the second season they started to run out of ideas and it was just "okay", I would rate it 5.5/10. The third season though.. oh my god. It might be one of the worst things ever made in human history. The writing is SO BAD, like its written by a 10 year old kid, everyone's acting is awful, like ten times worse than the first and second season. Nothing makes sense, no weight to anything.. everything is just awful. I would seriously give season 3 a 1 out of 10 and I am not kidding. A goddamn 1/10. Horrible.

This isn't the 1950s Archie...

[kanati-2 · 9/10 · 11 May 2017]

But in case you haven't been paying attention lately. The comic books aren't your 1950s Archie either any more. Archie, Jughead and the rest of the gang have been updated and dropped into the "real" world both in the comics and now on television.

I was never much of an Archie fan, leaning more towards the superhero and horror genres when I was younger, but I was aware of Archie on the periphery of my comic book reading habits. Occasionally I'd read a book or two but they never struck me as something I wanted to read regularly. So when this series was announced I went in with a little bias and actually didn't want to like it. I had too many shows competing for my time as it was. But I decided to give it a shot. I wanted to see what this updated, teen drama Archie had to offer.

Immediately, with the murder mystery I started getting a Rob Thomas Veronica Mars vibe from it and that is not a bad thing. Riverdale was suddenly layered and mysterious, yet still filled with characters you knew from Archie and Betty, to Pops and the Pussycats. These were people you could identify with with actual personalities beyond the pulp four color comic book world you remember them from. And they were eyeball deep in a mystery that had real consequences. And we got to learn about not just the "gang", but also their parents and some periphery characters that were rarely touched on in the comics. And best of all, the goofy sidekick Jughead is a much more interesting character and the narrator of the series showing him to be an intelligent person far beyond the hamburger munching cartoon of a character he is in the books.

I have just finished the season finale and look forward to the next season. It far exceeded my expectations.

My eyes got hurt!

[vako-957-639330 · 6/10 · 29 January 2021]

Okay lets start with storyline. First season was okay. But second and third was a total junk! It was worst fairytale I've ever heard. Even my grandma was tellin me better. And one more thing, am I only one here who's bothered of close up shots? It's like director's hiding something and every shot is blurry and too close..

100 m/h going downhill

[Ahmadkkotb · 3/10 · 9 February 2019]

What started as a strong teen drama with thrilling mysteries and good twists and hit season two with a good plot, by season three totally lost it's charm, it no longer has any logic or reason begind it, simply a bunch of teens walking around acting like they're adults and adults letting a bunch of kids run the town in the most ridiculous ways to the point it's no longer in connection with reality

5th season is suprisingly good

[maxinepuffington · 6/10 · 25 February 2021]

If you can forget about how dumb and unrealistic this story is, then it's quite enjoyable.

Season 7 is carefree CAMP, MAWMA!

[zappa_haughton · 8/10 · 30 July 2023]

Truly a bunch of uptight, bitter demons still watching Riverdale (although they claim it to be the worst thing in the world). Although this show has a really rocky and meme-able past, I think they KILLED IT with this last season. A cute and entertaining love letter to the people who have stuck around throughout. It's a TV SHOW you don't need to take it so seriously just be entertained, I mean my God.

Although for continuity purposes I will now be forgetting that seasons 1-6 never happened and season 7 is the only cannon I will accept.

Everyone's characters are so much better, the story is just stupid and fun, the musicals seem much better placed and carried out (YES, even the "Archie the Musical" episode).

Archie's character is so relatable and palatable unlike every season before this, a lot of side characters got a better chance to shine this, they're doing a great job of expressing parallels between the current political climate and the ones from when the show was set.

Idk this show was fun as heck to watch. As the show went on I was like "this is not a show that will ever be revisited for nostalgia", but I DEFINITELY 100% will be rewatching season 7 in the future.

Never thought that this show will become such a waste of time

[dhruvitamboli · 7/10 · 13 March 2021]

I remember the first time i saw this show i was oh what a great show i mean i loved the 1st and 2nd season but i don't what happened after that i mean 3rd season is ok but there is nothing as lame as 4th and 5th season i mean like what is WRONG with writers really why in the gods name u are mixing two shows as in katy keen in this veronica in that i mean its meaningless and real i saw latest episode it's just getting worse and worst now there is no story in this show u guys are just dragging it i wish u would have stop show at 3rd season only really i don't recommend other to watch 4th and 5th season if they love first 3 season because these last 2 season will makes u hate the show.

First season was good, the rest is not worth your time.

[almabjellerup-53059 · 1/10 · 1 April 2019]

Started out great interesting and intriguing. But not it's just simply the worst. One of the worst shows I've seen. Too bad, really liked the first season.

Sex, lies and comic book characters brought to life in home/sweet/home Riverdale

[Ed-Shullivan · 8/10 · 27 January 2017]

Impressive character concept from both the Archie and Josie and the Pussycats comic books mixes the picturesque small town of Riverdale with all the original cartoon characters from these two favorite Americana nostalgia period. This series has so many interesting characters residing in small town Riverdale that attend high school at Riverdale High and as any group of hormone charged teenagers competing on the football field, arts and music and with math and science, the birds and bees and romance in the air these teenagers simply want to be liked.

If you are a purist who enjoyed the Archie comic books, Josie and the Pussycats comic books, or the circa 1968-1970 Saturday morning cartoon shows of the same name, then this series Riverdale is not for you.

This is certainly a PG rated series and not for the pre-teen cartoon loving audience. Betty Cooper played by Lili Reinhart is picture perfect as the innocent blonde virgin vying for her childhood sweetheart Archie Andrews attention and he is also who she wants for her first love. Archie the redhead is played by K.J. Apa and he is not the innocent young teenager that Betty Cooper thinks he is since they grew up together in picturesque Riverdale.

Then we have the newly appointed vixen who just arrived in town from New York city, Veronica Lodge played superbly by Camila Mendes. Veronica is living with mother Hermione Lodge played by Marisol Nichols and they were forced to move out of the big apple New York because Hermione's ex- husband has been publicly proclaimed the biggest fraudster in the state of New York. Now Veronica who has always grown up filthy rich in New York comes down from the high clouds in New York city and she realizes now that she must tone down her extravagant spending habits and social climbing to live within hers and her mothers more realistic means in Riverdale. Veronica Lodge has found her first true friend in the shy but beautiful Betty Cooper. Veronica is willing to try and expose Betty to the ways and means to trap a man, and also how to get on to the Riverdale High cheerleading squad.

Of course Riverdale has all the other characters we grew up loving such as music teacher Ms. Grundy, although in this series Ms. Grundy played by Sarah Habel is very hot and horny. There is also Jughead Jones, Big Moose Mason, Dilton Doiley and Josie and her Pussycats. On top of this young and fresh cast, the producers were smart enough to bring in some more established heart throbs from previous successful drama series such as Luke Perry who plays Archie Andrews father Fred, who is divorced and single and trying hard to run his own construction business. Betty Cooper's parents Alica and Hal Cooper are played by seasoned actors Madchen Amick and Lochlyn Munro.

There are some interesting story lines such as the rich red head Blossom twins who go out on the water in a row boat but only Penelope Blossom returns as apparently her brother fell out of the boat only to be taken away by the swift current. In this series which takes place in 2017 you have characters Big Moose Mason (Cody Kearsley) and Kevin Keller (Casey Cott) enjoying each others company as any two gay lovers would in today's more realistic society. I found the varying story lines and abundance of characters from the original animated books and Saturday morning cartoons quite enjoyable. Kudos to the writers, directors and producers who took the risk in blending characters and a small town atmosphere like Riverdale from a simpler period in life to the more complex world we live in today.

I give the series pilot an 8 out of 10 rating with much potential.

I loved riverdale

[ctsgtxu · 7/10 · 18 October 2020]

I think it's a really nice show to get you out of reality the characters are so cute and interesting I love it and I am addicted this is my personal opinion if you want a teen series to get you out of reality with love crime murder and mysteries and drama you found your show my person opinion pls don't attack me!

????????????

[keonir · 1/10 · 25 May 2022]

Literally what the hell is this show & how had it been renewed for so many seasons with how absurd the writing is. The writers must've been taking the "good stuff" in their room and just wrote whatever nonsense came out of their heads during their bender.

What Comes Next?

[ZCDomingos · 10/10 · 28 January 2017]

I never read the Archie Comics, so this is a new thing for me. I actually loved the promos, much because the mystery and dark vibe, so I was dying to watch this TV show. I see this show with so much potential, so many roads it can pursue always side by side with dark mysteries.

I loved the first episode, I think it was a good pilot, it showed the essential dynamic and environment of this series. I'm already in love with Veronica, Betty and Archie, even thought he needs to be less clueless, more real, but that comes with character development, so that's okay and I love that characteristic in any TV show. I'm so excited to see how this murder plot will develop among the Riverdale citizens and discover their true-self, and with a sister like Cheryl, I wouldn't be surprised if she was involved with her brother's murder. I love Queen Bees, but mostly watch their fall.

For now, I'm really intrigued with what comes next, who will be arrested, what secrets will be exposed, who's guilty, and innocent, if there is any in that town.

this show is honestly the funniest thing i've ever seen

[jcrawley-00891 · 7/10 · 30 September 2021]

Who even watches this show seriously anymore? For me it's my weekly source of entertainment. It's a comedy i absolutely love it. At this point the actors are sick of their lives and u can see the deadness in their eyes but it's so funny and ridiculous. The story line is non existent and every episode includes singing at least once and it's crap but funny so who cares. 10/10 would recommend. And prayers for polly cooper may she rest in piece <3.

Do people still watch this

[flynnwcarson · 1/10 · 13 April 2019]

I actually used to like the show the first season was good the second season was questionable but the third is a complete mess

What?

[FilmBuff0409 · 8 June 2019]

I don't even know where to start with this show. It is absolutely ridiculous and just overblown to the point where it's not even watchable. This is popular with the younger generation probably because it's full of decent looking middle aged actors trying to play the characters of high school kids. And it's quite simple to understand, no complexity or real mystery worth thinking too hard about here. Hard to believe so many people watch this, but I can see why it has such a low score on IMDb. If you have any brain cells or common sense you won't watch this.