Chambers (2019) User Reviews (274)

Uma=perfection, Everything else=needs work

[hnt_dnl · 7/10 · 28 April 2019]

I was really looking forward to this creepy, supernatural series. The promo had my hyped. Very unsurprisingly, Uma Thurman is easily the best thing going for it. Her acting is amazing and she should get award recognition from whoever wants to give it to her. And not having seen her in anything in YEARS, she barely looks older than the last big thing I saw her in the Kill Bill movies from 15 years ago. It's jarring seeing her go from the badass take-no-prisoners Bride to a grounded person who couldn't hurt a fly. Ironically, in both scenarios, she's a grieving mother who lost a daughter with extremely different objectives. In Kill Bill, it's kill those who wronged her. In Chambers, it's internalize and put on a brave face. The meek, humble, nurturing Nancy is a far cry from the tough, angry, vengeful Bride. Only a great actress could play both ends of the spectrum so effortlessly.

Aside from Thurman, the rest of the series is a bit spotty. In particular, I find the main character Sasha to be the weakest link acting-wise. I get the actress Sivan Alyra Rose is a newbie, but still this is a major Netflix offering and she's the centerpiece, so I expect stronger acting than what she is displaying. If there is a Season 2, I hope she gets better. There were too many times during the first season where I found myself losing focus due to her monotone acting. Yet I was really enjoying the performances from the other actors and felt like they were the ones carrying her in scenes. I was also distracted by the fact that this girl is supposed to be only 17 years old, yet the actress looks way older. I was surprised to find out she actually is only 19 in reality, which is even more surprising.

As mentioned, the rest of the cast is actually really good, especially the actors playing Elliott, Penelope, Frank, Yvonne, and last but not least Ben (played by the eternally underrated Tony Goldwyn). In fact, I found the Lefevre family (Ben, Nancy, Elliott) grieving subplot over Becky more interesting than all of the supernatural nonsense, which I thought really got out of hand as the season progressed. I feel as if the writers had the perfect concept of Sasha taking on qualities of Becky due to the heart transplant and getting close to the Lefevres and Becky's circle of friends, but then it snowballed into a messy subplot involving cult sacrifice and the supernatural and forgot all about the human elements that were the strong point.

I still enjoyed the show for most of the acting, strong moments of humanity, oft times witty dialogue, the mystery element and great camera work. Like I said, Thurman was the real star and scene-stealer and the core cast has a lot of promise. I'd be interested in Season 2 just to see more Uma!

Very strange turn of events

[ravenclaw_girlrules · 5/10 · 3 May 2019]

Would've given this show a 9/10 before the cult plot came about. The setting is beautiful and the Native American elements are very unique. The ending seemed very last minute and contrived. Now Sasha has some kind of super powers? I have no idea what I just watched...in this case, a simpler plot line such as a simple murder mystery or just figuring out why becky killed herself (aside from the ridiculous stuff) would have been better.

Eventually worth it.

[Puppies_and_Rainbows · 6/10 · 16 May 2019]

This one dragged hard in the beginning. None of the characters started off very compelling or even that likable or with much depth, and none of them had the type of essence required to carry the slow burn of this story. So why bother? Well, when the story finally picks up, it flies.

Bingeable slow burner

[vincemac-09909 · 2 May 2019]

It's tremendous that Netflix is using its budget to create shows like Chambers. It's a creepy haunted transplant horror, but the new heart comes with strings attached. The entire cast is excellent. This is a gold standard for representation of Indigenous Americans who deserve to be seen on screen.

Wasted potential

[aptos-63057 · 6/10 · 28 April 2019]

Watchable but without fireworks. Very slow, heavy to watch. Only one thing I like about it is camera and Arizona climate. Except that, movie actually is boring, another strange Netflix series. In my opinion they spending too much money for poor production.

The devil is in the details!!

[hapkipat0895 · 10/10 · 28 April 2019]

A 10 isn't a high enough score!!

I can suggest to be sure to pay attention to the beginning few minutes of each episode, as they play a huge role in the story. I can also suggest watch for the littlest of details, because there are tons of them. You won't know what's important until episode 10, which you'll then find yourself watching the series again.

This is superb story telling. The attention to the details threaded throughout weaves a tapestry of the love of family, importance of friends, the horror of supernatural world surrounding us and a mystery to solve before times run out.

Well, yes - well, no

[gema-1 · 6/10 · 27 April 2019]

You have to accept quite a mixture of supernatural and also biblical ideas in order to be able to go along with the movie. If your mind gets triggered every time a ghost-like entity takes some action on screen then you will most likely not be happy here, I can recommend 'tabula rasa' for you, it's also not a shining monument of a TV-series, but it is better than Chambers.

Ok, let's say we go along with all the new-age philosophy of the series. Is it then good?

The first 5 episodes bored me a bit, not because there is nothing happening, but because they re-use a lot of clichés from other horror movies. The series looks like something we have seen again and again.

But this changes by the end of episode 5, where a normal horror movie would have simply put a stop. It then develops more into a thriller. A good one, for a while. But episodes 9 and especially 10 were a total let-down.

The start of episode 10 is badly executed - it is something I have waited for the whole time to see, a stand-off between two characters and it is done in the most uninspired way I could imagine.

The end resolves the main plot and leaves a number of cliffhangers, just to be able to make a second series.

One more thing that bothers me a bit is that the series wants to be for teens, twens and older people as well - which would be ok, but it tries to deliver something for every age group and that just leads to a number of scenes where I feel embarrassed by watching them.

In summare:

• bad: new-age spirtual nonsens
• very bad: beginning of episode 10
• bad: most likely should have been a pure teen-series, but tries to be more
• very good: how it all changed in episode 5
• good: acting
• good: one doesn't know which character is good/bad for a long time

So all in all I give it 6 stars, just to be fair, but it has a strong tendency towards 5.

I don't know, i'm torn

[jenniferlynn-49555 · 3/10 · 10 July 2019]

First half I was really into, despite, the main actress. She is dead in the eyes and very wooden. She is not good as an actress. Also she looks to be in her 30s. Even with that, I was hooked and wanted to know what was going on but the second half, left me disappointed. I was let down that, this is the direction they're going. I loved the Native American influence to this. TJ reminded me of the no regrets character in We're the Millers, so that was frustrating. Tony and Uma were fabulous. There were some unanswered questions but I guess that will be taken care of in season 2. I will watch it to see if it picks back up but if it doesn't, I will not watch it anymore. If they even make a season 2. What was with the friends mom, Tracy? The mice? The old lady? Penelope? It seems like they got overwhelmed by all the different storylines and rushed to tie it all together. Idk, maybe I will watch it again and see if it makes more sense.

Give it a chance.

[littleanthony-56805 · 8/10 · 29 April 2019]

At episode 7 of the show I decided to look up about the actors and director that worked on it. I was interested how such a show was put together. It had been a bit since I have been invested in a show as this. The acting is not great at times mostly with Sasha's boyfriend but all in all I feel that it's pretty good especially for a lot of these actors first roles or major roles. The show has great pacing, great shot composition, interesting visuals and A story that's mystery keeps me watching. I would absolutely give this show a chance. A lot of garbage is on Netflix I honestly don't see how this is getting negative reviews when far worse shows get glowing. This show has a lot going for it and I look to the season 1 conclusion.

On the fence

[linley-collins · 6/10 · 10 May 2019]

Sounded so promising, gave it a go but I ended up losing interest as it went on, the opposite of what usually happens - where you get to the halfway point and can't stop watching.

Uma was the standout performance and also her character was the most intriguing. The rest I felt detached from and didn't really care too much about them.

I kept watching through curiosity and in the hope it would build to a satisfying conclusion. Ultimately I felt rather 'meh' about the end. Could've been so much better. Worth a bash if you've time to kill, but don't expect fireworks.

Time I'll Never Get Back

[kateseventh · 4/10 · 22 May 2021]

The first few episodes were interesting. Then as the storyline became more involved, confusion began. What did it for me and I wish I hadn't wasted my time on this was the ending. As with so many mediocre shows/movies, it's as though the writers were so tired of the lack of direction or any interesting content they could muster up into a strong finish, they gave up and ended it with a drip. Plus I'm shocked that such a strong actress as Thurman agreed to this lackluster. Maybe she needed funds?

Slow paced AND great.

[judalejandro · 10/10 · 29 April 2019]

So, I think it's my first time writing a review on here but maybe it's not. However, I've had enough of seeing this show being trashed by the critics everywhere. I almost didn't start watching it for that reason, and it turned out being great??? What I mostly don't get is that a ton of professional critics are citing the fact that it's slow paced as a reason for why it's bad. But since when does "slow paced" means "bad". If it was the case, The Haunting of Hill House, Castle Rock, and all other slow paced shows wouldn't have been a critical success. Anyways, Chambers has the cinematography, the actors' great performances, the originality and weirdness of the story. Go watch it and tell friends!! (since Netflix have a history of absolutely not promoting their good shows)

Scary!!

[andresbolanos · 6/10 · 26 April 2019]

It eats away at you every second your watching it and even when you're not. Chambers is a perfect example of a well made psychological horror. I believe that this show will be the next haunting of hill house.

Absolute nonsense

[texmoonbeam · 2/10 · 25 May 2019]

Showed so much promise and fell flat on its face, poor acting, poor story, thank god the eps weren't 60 mins long 🙄

Disappointed

[f-aloisi · 6/10 · 26 April 2019]

Bad script (a lot of holes in the first episodes), bad acting form most of the actors.

Uma Thurman in this thing. Really? She had probably nothing else to do.

The person who said that "the people who gave this good reviews are high" must be drunk!

[stevenhorr · 8/10 · 10 May 2019]

I feel like the person who wrote that the people who gave this show good reviews are high should maybe put down the bottle of wine for awhile. This show was by no means perfect. But it was good! It reminded me a little of Rosemary's Baby or Hereditary. The acting was great. The twists were well-crafted. And it is dark without being distasteful. If you like good, slow, psychological horror and suspense, with some supernatural elements, I must recommend Chambers.

Not Terrible but not Great

[WhenAmyMetSalad · 7/10 · 30 April 2019]

Started off interesting but then began going every which way possible. One thing I could not stand in this show was the uncle. He was always making bad decisions based off of his own pride. Why was it necessary for him to self sabotage and ruin his relationship with his niece with his selfish actions?

Not only was the uncle annoying but even Sasha was annoying at times. She had plenty of times to explain her problems with Becky to her boyfriend uncle and best-friend but instead she let herself spiral into this craziness by herself. It's like people never watch movies or read in these shows/movies so in turn always act stupid.

The only redeeming part of this show was the ending in the last 2 minutes. That scene alone was good. Dont know if this show deserves a second season as it seems like everything wrapped up by the end but its not a terrible show just not the brightest or best.

Downward Slide

[iceman-61151 · 2/10 · 29 July 2021]

I don't think I've ever seen a show start so promising only to descend into total incoherence than 'Chambers', with the possible exception of 'Dark'. The premise was sort of interesting and early on there were a lot of unanswered questions that I was curious to see answered. But as details started being revealed, the story just became convoluted and, frankly, not that interesting. By the final two episodes, my wife and I were shocked at how stupid the story was and how comically bad the acting had become. In particular, "Big Frank" is almost as good an actor as Shaquille O'Neil.

In short: the story makes no sense; it's not scary; it's not interesting; the acting is laugh-out-loud bad and the ending will have you wanting to kick a baby. Though the show started out decent enough (maybe a 5.5), by the end it deserves no more than a 2. Pass on this one.

A SLOW BURNER BUT VERY WATCHABLE

[samwill-32054 · 8/10 · 26 April 2019]

Yes this is a slow show, but its an interesting premise and as far as I was concerned, I wanted to see its conclusion. In fact I binge watched first season. Not scary at all but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

A Convoluted Series That Is Captivating

[PCT1970 · 6/10 · 16 May 2019]

Rachel has created an apt, this viewer is going with psychological mystery drama series. That's the issue for this viewer. The series is convoluted and tangled by trying to decide whether it is an occult, horror, thriller, mystical, psychological, mystery or just plain old drama series. Maybe it is intended to envelope all of the above. Nonetheless the series has appreciable direction, writing, cinematography, special effects, settings, soundtrack and acting. All of the actors involved execute considerable performances. I was a little disappointed with the Oscar nominated actress Thurman not standing out, but she can only work with the material she is given. The plot is set in the AZ desert and revolves around a teenage girl, Sasha who in a moment of having sex with her boyfriend TJ suffers a fatal heart attack. Miraculously at the same time a young girl Becky drops a radio in her bathtub and dies from electrocution. After all other recipients on the waiting list deny the opportunity to receive Becky's heart, Sasha jumps to number one. Sasha starts to have visions and takes on characteristics of Becky which are explained away as anxiety. Sasha's visions reveal there is something sinister going on regarding Becky's death and with Becky in general. With the help of her friend Yvonne who is at first skeptical, they set out to unravel the mystery of the visions and Becky's death. Throughout the series we are introduced to Becky's affluent parents Ben and Nancy who seek out Sasha believing Becky is still alive inside Sasha or more like her soul is trapped inside Sasha. They adorn Sasha with the opportunity to receive a better education at an elite school which happens to be located closer to their home and they are members of a mysterious occult-like foundation known as the Annex, although Nancy seems to be more of a tag along member. Sasha lives with her uncle Big Frank who is willing to take desperate measures to afford experimental medication Sasha needs after the heart transplant. He does not embrace his Native American Navajo heritage when his father offers help for Sasha warning Big Frank of lurking danger and darkness in the area. Penelope is a next door neighbor of Becky who was home the night that Becky dies and has a penchant for spying on people with hidden cameras. Penelope wears wigs due to massive scar tissue on the right side of her head to go along with the numerous burn tissue scars that cover her upper torso. Elliott is Becky's brother and a recovering addict who is somewhat neglected by his parents and is considered a suspect by Sasha due to his past transgressions. Marnie is assigned to be Sasha's guide / tutor at her new school and we find has a jealous streak that is supposed to be over her boyfriend Ravi. There are other characters introduced during the series with no real depth and eventually the mystery unfolds. The plot is droll, inventive, thrilling, psychedelic, creepy, cathartic, mysterious and has an ambiguous ending. My favorite episode is 4 when Big Frank is warned by his father about signs of ominous danger and then Sasha sees a vision of a coyote in the hospital. In this viewer's opinion this is not an ingenious series. It does have a few jolting scenes, however it doesn't offer any real horrific, nightmarish, harrowing or sleepless night type moments. With that being said it somehow kept me captivated wanting to follow the revealing of the mystery. If Netflix does drop a season 2, which you never know with Netflix, this viewer would more than likely continue on with the series.

Jesus What an Absolute Mess

[bajackman · 2/10 · 1 August 2021]

Too long Too much just way too much nonsense There's a good premise in there somewhere but it's lost in the absolute garbage

First couple episodes were promising but it lost its way real fast after that It's like they tried to turn a movie into a series just to make more streaming content or cause it paid more or there was an idiot in charge.

Not a traditional horror experience, but a satisfying series overhaul with a nice plot.

[huskhusk · 9/10 · 30 April 2019]

People who go into this looking forward to see a traditionel horror series will be dissapointed. The goal of this series is not to scare people, it is to tell a story. It is more creepy than it is scary but over that it is a good story, which i really enjoyed. Sivan Alyra Rose does an impeccable job in this. I hope that they will release a season 2 and for people to watch this like a drama serie with a creepy twist

This s%#} has gone off the rails

[nicktatta · 6/10 · 14 May 2019]

I'm still curious what happened but I'm increasingly doubtful that I'll find anything out that makes a lick of sense. That said it's entertaining and constantly changing works of nuttiness. I like it and hate it and am gonna finish it

Main actress is horrible

[Zeniri · 2/10 · 16 April 2022]

I think the series could be interesting if the main actress wasn't so dead in the eyes and just generally really bad at acting. She has such a limited range of expressions and emotions, it makes it horrible to enjoy the story.

Patience is Key

[tarektia · 7/10 · 26 May 2019]

This is one of those shows that most people whould describe it as boring for it's slow paced story, but watching it u should be a little patient and about the ending u won't see it coming.