Dispatches from Elsewhere (2020) User Reviews (206)

Not average television

[mr-video-1 · 8/10 · 1 May 2020]

If you look at the breakdown of voting for this show, you will see sharp divisions between people who thought it was wonderful versus terrible. Lots of folks gave it a perfect "10" and lots gave it the worst possible "1". That's exactly the kind of show or movie I seek out. It shows the filmmaker is taking huge chances to make something truly unexpected and different. I love to see filmmakers NOT playing it safe.

Did this experiment work? I can't say it's the best thing I ever saw. But I was definitely entertained, and I looked forward to each episode. It would help, by the way, to go seek out the documentary about the real "Jejune Institute". I found it on Amazon Prime.

Dispatches From Elsewhere Review

[robfollower · 8/10 · 3 March 2020]

Now that I have had the opportunity to see the first few episodes, I must say I am properly hooked. The feel of the show is something novel. Dispatches From Elsewhere is also extremely confusing and wildly unpredictable. The main plot often feels impossible to pin down. It's difficult to even describe the series to someone who hasn't watched it in a way that even remotely encompasses what it's about. But the ultimate effect of all this? A sort of narrative alchemy that leaves me wanting more, even as I admit that I'm not entirely sure what it is that I've been watching.

The story of four people brought together by something that's larger than themselves. Granted, we don't know what, precisely, that thing is just yet.

All around, Dispatches from Elsewhere is brilliantly cast. Jason Segel is perfect for the character of Peter, who has been plugging through the doldrums of life and "work stuff." Eve Lindley's Simone gives us an entry point more laden with anxiety. There's Fred Wynn (Andre Benjamin), an awkward genius with an eye for clues and patterns, but no understanding of people or social interactions. There's Janice (Sally Field), a cheery retiree struggling to process her own problems .

It's a whole lot of fun to enter into this world. I'm excited to explore it more and to see where this quirky narrative is going. Innovative storytelling and intriguing, fully-rounded characters make it a must-watch.

After watching the first episode, I'm intrigued. I'd like to see where this is going.

[ed-503-465183 · 8/10 · 25 February 2020]

So as of yet, I don't know what to think of this one. As to what star rating I'd give this, my place holder is a 7. I hope it turns into something interesting and different, but I don't know right now. Watching this, for me, is like making a wrong turn down a road I've never been and seeing some interesting things that are a bit off and make absolutely no sense.

Do I turn back, or do I keep going? That's sort of how I feel after watching the first episode. I think I'll keep going a bit further and see where this leads.

If the story delivers, or doesn't, I'll re-edit this review. But I'll watch the next episode and see where that leads. If you like off-beat fantasy type stuff you might like this one. It's certainly off-beat. It kind of reminds me of movies like The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, Brazil, and maybe even a little bit like a modern take of Alice in Wonderland thrown in. At this point. I can't decide if that's a good thing or a bad thing just yet. The writing is ok, and the story is at least intriguing, the characters are somewhat cookie-cutter at this point, but hey Sally Fields is in it playing Sally Fields again, so there's that.

Brilliant

[arittenberry · 10/10 · 29 June 2020]

This show is captivating, brilliant, groundbreaking, beautiful, and speaks to my soul. If you've ever struggled with who you are, who other people are and how you fit into this world together, if you are touched by art and beauty, and if you like spooky and surprises, you cannot miss this mind altering masterpiece. Mahalo Jason Segel and crew for being brave and bringing this to the world.

Just like the experience in San Francisco!

[julieprice · 6/10 · 2 March 2020]

Everything about this felt like it felt to "play the game" in San Francisco". We went to the "jejune Institute" ~10 years ago for "Nonchalance" and played 2 rounds of the game and never quite figured out what was going on, but it was amazing and fun and quirky, just like the show. Very well thought out and imaginative. I'm hoping the show continues and we can finally reach an understanding of what on Earth we were doing and where it was leading...

Facinating but chaotic....

[adxymox · 8/10 · 8 March 2020]

After watching the first episode I found it intriguing yet chaotic. I kept wondering where it was going but at the same time wanting to find out. I can however now see why David Lynch loved Philadelphia so much as the city comes off as quirky as this presentation. The jury is still out for me as maybe I should smoke something before I watch the next episode?

Really different, fascinating show

[Mfbarry-90-773507 · 7/10 · 24 February 2020]

Jason Segal is one of the most fascinating "creatives" in the entertainment industry. He is constantly re-inventing himself and his career, from "Freeks & Geeks" to "How I met your mother," from "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" to re-inventing The Muppets. This is his latest, a limited series based on a mysterious ARG that popped up in San Francisco a few years back (and then, just as mysteriously disappeared.) It's anything but safe. It's funny, clever, disturbing and very addictive. It's anything but boring, concerning 4 people who find themselves caught up in a strange company by the name of The Jejune Institute. A company which may or may not be real and may or may not contain the answers we all seek. Starting created, directed and written by Segal. Co-starring Sally Field, Richard E. Grant and Andre Benjamin (3000). Really interesting, highly recommended.

The Story Doesn't End

[christophscott · 8/10 · 25 September 2020]

It's what they lead the show with. But most of the audience is so used to having a story end satisfactory they don't know how to react to this. Maybe I wanted the story to end like that from an aesthetic point of view, because it just was so extraordinary. But conceptually, the outstretched aftermath episode and totally detached Segal-special, delivered the show's message. It made me conscious about storytelling, idealization and human desires. Was it worth diminishing the original story to do so? I don't know.

Difficult to review

[nancyldraper · 7/10 · 22 July 2021]

I need to confess that I've put off writing a review of this limited series because I'm really conflicted about how it is crafted. It begins with a decidedly sinister narrator (or is that just the real life vibe of Richard E Grant?) telling us that they are going to break all the rules of storytelling in a limited series. The first character is written and performed to be emotionally flat and yet we are told to identify with him. Once I got to the relationships, I began to enjoy it (Eve Lindsey's and Sally Field's characters and performances are fantastic) but the last episode turns everything on it's head when it breaks the fourth wall (again) and turns into the creator's existential catharsis, which really unravelled the whole experience for me. (FYI, the series was inspired by a 2013 documentary called THE INSTITUTE about a group of people who fashioned this alternate reality game in San Francisco.which was also a trippy experience) I give the six episodes in the middle of this series an 8 (great) out of 10, but the others a variety of 5 (meh), 6 (fair) and 4 (poor). {Fantasy Drama Mystery} >See why this was a difficult review to write<

Such promise, destroyed by the final episode

[prpw · 5/10 · 11 July 2020]

It started off slow, got to a really interesting place and then meandered....

Off a cliff.

It's based on an interactive game that was played in SF a few years back. See the documentary THE INSTITUTE for more details.

The premise interested Segal enough that he wanted to make a series about it. Kudos for AMC to breaking out of the Zombie and vampire hell they've created for themselves but still.

If only someone had been brave enough to tell him to throw out the last episode, never to be seen again, this would've rated as high as an eight.

Instead it changes into something else entirely.

Don't believe the ratings, this is the best tvshow I've seen besides dark lately

[cgoncalves-05898 · 10/10 · 27 February 2020]

It has a twin peaks vibe, It's the most original show as of late. It's different. I don't understand the ratings really, characters are relatable, it's a very human show, it has a melancholic quality to it. I definitly want to see where it goes. I believe once it finishes, it will be a gem like few others.

Was so good at first, what happened??

[chairhead_82 · 6/10 · 14 June 2020]

The first 7 episodes of this show were great! It was nice seeing Sally Field in a show again, and I didn't realize how much I'd missed Andre 3000. The diversity of the cast was nice, the plot seemed a little out there but in a fun and interesting way. Unfortunately by episode 8 things start to slide, episode 9 does a poor job of wrapping anything up, and episode 10 is self indulgent, pretentious nonsense best left unwatched. Seriously, if you haven't seen it yet, don't bother, it adds nothing to the show and is not the feel-good, uplifting ending they seemed to think it was going to be. Disappointed.

starts out great but fizzles by the end

[ateknogod · 4/10 · 30 April 2020]

This show start out amazing. I was completely captivated by the story, but right at the time when the story it hitting a pinnacle, it completely fizzles out. The last 3 episodes were bad. REALLY bad. Final season of Game of Thrones bad. This show had so much potential, but with the way it ended, I can't recommend it to anyone in good conscience, unless you want to watch half of it and just imagine where the story went.

Forget the reviews from the terrified & dormant people

[natpereyra · 10/10 · 25 January 2021]

This is definitely a very BRAVE, GENUINE & BEAUTIFUL show.

Finally a tv series that really reflects our feelings and processes as humans struggling with ourselves and with our surroundings.

Reminding us that we have to recognize ourselves as well as the others around us, that we and only we can make a choice whichever to change our present and future, that we're not alone if we don't want it to be, that we have to take action if we want to go with the current of change or in the journey of our lives and hapiness...

Just stay open to this essential learning that is been given by this awesome show.

Thanks Jason Segel, Sally Field, Eve Lindley, Andre 3000 and all the crew, thanks to me and to us: the ones that are open to receive this beautiful reminder / gift!

Excellent series - bar episode 10

[marc-cheyne · 6/10 · 6 May 2020]

This is a wonderfully engrossing series - with a contagious theme of creativity, spontaneity and inspiration. The overall quality of writing, sets and acting is top notch. The cast of actors are perfectly suited to portray their charactors, with Eve Lindley standing out ahead of everyone else in her breakout role.

Episodes 1-9 cry out to be binge-watched - as we're introduced to the core characters and the charming mystery in which they quite literally find themselves - and endeavour to solve.

But episode 10 was confusing and disappointing. It follows the show's writer Jason Segel as he engages in navel gazing and a familiar mystery game of his own - but helped out by his fellow actors, no longer in character.

Jason resolves his issues near the episode's end, then he breaks the 4th wall and addresses the show's viewers (us) directly - with the relevation that this episode or show isn't really about him Jason Segel or 'Peter'. It's about "You!" we're told.

To illustrate this, we're shown a lot of short self-videos in quick succession, from various global inhabitants, each with a chorus of "You!" This was no doubt to fill us with a sense of inclusion, but smacks of virtue signalling. But then the focus widened, from "you" to "us", which didn't sound forced. TV series are a team effort. Life is a team effort. But then we know this - we're not in 10th grade - I don't see how a 2nd season can pick up from that 4th wall revelation!

Interesting...

[joeloc-30511 · 8/10 · 10 March 2020]

A very interesting show. I understand if it's not your cup of tea, but I don't understand people saying it's just a terrible show. Good acting, interesting plot. Has a unique storyline that's hard to predict. Just finished episode 3 and I hate that I need to wait another week just to watch one more episode!

I turned it on for Sally Field & will see where it leads

[JinFL · 6/10 · 2 March 2020]

I enjoy Sally Field and it has been awhile since I've seen her in a series, so I tuned in. It's different than anything I've seen recently, and at first I wasn't sure I'd like it. But, I kept watching and as more characters joined Peter, it became more intriguing. The four in this "family" are a diverse, quirky mix, but I think that will keep my interest. Yes, there is some social commentary with the characters, but isn't that life? I find people different from me intriguing and so I'll continue with this and see where it leads. Reviewers who lament they wasted their time seemed to be closed to new experiences. What would your response be if you were Peter?

A promising start to a new AMC series.

[FinnHudsonFromElsewhere · 9/10 · 2 March 2020]

Dispatches From Elsewhere, based on the first episode, seems like a great and intriguing new series for AMC. It may be a bit slow, but its interesting premise, great acting, great characters, and wonderful direction that will keep the audience engaged, hopefully, for a long time. Hopefully this will fill the hole that Lodge 49 left behind.

Hopefully this show is a keeper.

Intriguing

[fbarry-177-993859 · 24 February 2020]

After watching the first episode i had no idea what it is all about, But i found it intriguing enough that i will watch a few more to see how it goes.

Different

[jimgigs · 7/10 · 2 April 2020]

Very original idea, executed fairly well so far. All 4 main characters are very likable, even the very boring, almost robotic peter. They all add a different perspective to life and how it's lived. Also very poignant for these polarizing times imo, as each character is very different in there own respect and in everyday life would probably never befriend each other. I find it to be an enjoying way to spend an hour and after 7 episodes I'm intrigued to see where it all goes.

hooked in the first few eps, regretted at the end

[rden-265-215639 · 3/10 · 15 May 2020]

First few episodes hooked me in, last couple of episodes, particularly the very last: I regretted ever starting.

and 90% of the reviews here reflect the same: nearly all 7+ star ratings are people that only watched the first 1, 2 maybe 3 episodes before reviewing: I agree started good the 4 or less star reviews: from those that waited to the end to review: I agree, overall and ending it was abysmal and pointless.

4 stars would be a the best realistic average rating based on reviews of the entire season.

So what did we learn here: ignore reviews from anyone that has only watched the first few episodes, clearly a lot of people got wedgied here. (... and IMDB really should look to disallow reviews of TV series until after the last episode of the season airs.)

I'm glad I paid no attention to the trolls rating.

[Malvenido · 8/10 · 14 March 2020]

I mean, 1/10, 3/10, 2/10, really guys? Don't review a title if you're just going to troll around. We, serious and responsible IMDB users, want to read opinions and reviews which make sense.

Anyway, I'm really enjoying this show. It's not for ANYBODY because it's really PSYCHOLOGICAL and you may feel lost from time to time.

I love the fact that every episode starts with a different character perspective continuing the events of the previous ones.

The acting, especially Peter's, is GODLIKE level! Seriously. What's more, the "antagonist" Octavio, with his expertise in psychology and british pronunciation, certainly rocks!

It was really necessary to have something different to watch because streaming services content is becoming kinda unsurprising and "Dispatches from Elsewhere" achieves that, to go beyond the ordinary.

Give it a shot You won't regret it! :)

Intriguing, and pay attention!

[The-Original-Pinky · 7/10 · 9 March 2020]

Viewed the first two episodes last night, and was rather intrigued. Different from most . . . fantasy/thriller/etc., etc. to which one is usually accustomed. Going into this blind without any back story or other information, I was compelled by the way the series was introduced. Although a little slow in some moments (and probably would have been more watchable without commercial interruption), it kept me wanting more and more. It does tend to suck you in.

The cast is appealing, and of course there is Sally Field who is enjoyable to watch in just about anything. Jason Segal's hands are all over it as he is the creator, and he does a fine job of portraying a lack-luster, bored, nothing-going-on-in-my-life Peter. Other notables, particularly André Benjamin's Fredwynn (yes, that's not a typo - it's Fredwynn - one word); and Eve Lindlely's hot-and-cold Simone.

I suspect one must really pay attention to what transpires, otherwise the plot could become confusing.

Looking forward to episode 3 this evening. I may revise this review after completing the entire Season 1, but in the interim, I have given an overall 7 rating.

Here's hoping!

It began well ...then IT DIED

[feelreallove-921-845971 · 3/10 · 18 June 2020]

I enjoyed the first few episodes. It began like a derivative 'Dirk Gently...' (but not as clever) with a smattering of insight like 'The OA' (but not as soulful). Then around episode 4 onwards morphed into this Disney High School Musical (minus the music) thing. Couldn't stand it anymore.

Brilliant Show!

[rani-graff · 10/10 · 4 March 2020]

Best thing I've seen on TV lately. It's original, exciting, and most importantly: Humane. Touching characters I fell for, and the story avoids all the usual cliches. Reminded me, in a good way, another great show with similar themes: Sense8.