As a TV Fanatic, there’s nothing more thrilling than watching a whole new audience discover a fantastic show that you love.
Fortunately, whenever Netflix picks up a dated megahit, it often breathes new life into that series, bringing with it a wave of renewed praise, viral discourse, and overdue appreciation.
We saw it with the Suits Renaissance. Animal Kingdom had its moment. And now? Mr. Robot has just landed in its entirety on Netflix, and the timing could not be more perfect or more eerily relevant.
Mr. Robot Has Mindbending, Deliciously Twisty, Innovative Storytelling
Seriously, Mr. Robot is one of the best-written series of all time. You can take that as hyperbole, or you can trust us and binge it.
There’s nothing quite like this series, and in an age where so much of television feels like more of the same, that speaks volumes.
The series is such a mindf*ck that you’ll be glued to the screen, afraid to blink in fear that you’ll miss something pertinent.
It’s a wild ride. We have an unreliable narrator, more twists than crueller, and layers that give an onion a run for its money.
The unpredictable storytelling is utterly gripping, and it takes such unique approaches to laying out a story that genre bends like the best of them: techno conspiracy thriller, gritty antihero drama, psychological suspense — it goes on.
Rami Malek’s Sublime Performance as Deeply Troubled, Flawed, Human Elliot Alderson
There is a reason why Mr. Robot served as a launchpad for Rami Malek — catapulting him into acclaim. He was magnificent as Elliot Alderson, an anxiety-ridden, mentally ill, antisocial hacker disillusioned with the world around him.
Wide-eyed, and with a signature black hoodie and haircut, Rami Malek didn’t just play Elliot Alderson, he completely embodied him, sucking us into this riveting tale with a truly unique protagonist you couldn’t take your eyes off of, even if it felt like watching an animal in a cage or a goldfish in a glass jar.
There hasn’t been a protagonist quite like Elliot Alderson since the series signed off in 2019, but great characters, brought to life by great actors, will stick with you well past a series’ conclusion, and Mr. Robot delivers on that.
Mr. Robot’s Supporting Cast Leaves an Enduring Mark
They say a cast is only as great as its lead. And we’ve already established how phenomenal Malek is, but the rest of the cast matches his energy, which contributes to why this show is so wonderful in every way.
Carly Chaikin is a standout as Darlene, Elliot’s sister, who also dabbles in hacking and understands her brother like no one else.
In many ways, as the series progresses, Mr. Robot is every bit as much Darlene’s story as it is Elliot’s, and in turn, the series heads in some truly compelling directions with Chaikin giving the most unexpected but strongest performance of her career.
Portia Doubleday drives so much of the plot with such vulnerability as Angela.
Christian Slater is the enigmatic yet fascinating counterpart to Malek throughout the series.
And Martin Wallström’s delicously twisted and quietly unhinged Tyler Wellick (not to mention his chemistry with Malek’s Elliot) is that which thinkpieces are designed for.
The series also features a quietly compelling Gloria Reuben, as well as a multilayered B.D. Wong, a scene-stealing Joey Bada$$, and so much more.
Seriously, Mr. Robot bolsters a stacked and star-studded cast, and you’ll see the most unexpected familiar faces playing unusually bizarre but interesting roles.
Mr. Robot Gets Hacking Right; No Short Cuts (or Codes)
One of the many reasons people laud this series is that it gives an inside look into the hacking world, and it takes that seriously.
The hacking is on point — none of that fake stuff that most of television passes off as “hacking.”
Throughout the series, we’re watching real techniques that hackers execute as they should be, something the actors had to learn, and they don’t mince words or dumb anything down for the audience.
The series’ authenticity on that front made it a credible show for tech-savvy viewers and cybersecurity experts alike.
Mr. Robot’s Cinematography is Spellbinding
Tech-savvy types are attracted to the series because of the authentic depiction of hacking and credit to the form.
Pschology junkies and fans are often drawn to the show because of how it outlays mental illness and certain themes with a similar authenticity and vulnerability that could be studied.
Social and political fanatics, as well as disillusioned social justice advocates, are drawn to the series’ themes of capitalism, anarchy, conspiracies, surveillance, and more.
But for film nerds in love with all the nuances and components that come into play to make great television, Mr. Robot’s cinematography and direction are alluring, to put it mildly.
The lighting, shading, and blocking in the series convey the story just as effectively as the dialogue. The series takes some bold risks with the techniques it uses to tell its story.
Its framing of scenes defies what’s normal and traditional, allowing it to carve out its own unique niche in a way that aligns with everything this series represents in the first place — bucking against tradition.
And the series even delivered an entire episode filmed in one continuous shot. Yes, we’re freaking serious. It’s everything you could possibly imagine and more.
The series has entire threads and pieces written about its cinematography and filming techniques alone, as it continued to push itself, blasting past boundaries and testing the limits of what we expect from television.
Mr. Robot’s Social and Psychological Themes Are More Timely Than Ever
To put it bluntly, I cannot think of a better time for a series that has an entire monologue proclaiming “F*ck Society” to reemerge than right now.
Mr. Robot’s themes feel more apt than ever, which is either really depressing or comforting, depending on your outlook. The series will resonate with those who feel displaced, frustrated, fired up, and disenchanted.
It’s a rallying cry for the rebellious and non-conformist. But it’s also a mirror for the anxious, depressed, and lonely.
Somehow, the series manages to be cerebral without being pretentious, and emotional without being melodramatic. It’s a rare show that juggles themes — mental illness, corporate corruption, income inequality, trauma, and class warfare — while still keeping you glued to the screen.
The series is eerily prescient, making a binge, even half a decade later, a particularly unique experience because of how it holds up. It feels all too real.
It Completes Its Story …
The worst feeling in the world is discovering a series long after its conclusion, only to realize that the final episode was not an intentional end.
Too many series are robbed of their chance to complete their story, networks or streamers cutting them short before they can wrap things up properly.
And even years later, whether you’re rewatching it again or discovering it for the first time, it’s infuriating when a great story ends with a semicolon (or a cliffhanger) rather than a period.
Fortunately, Mr. Robot isn’t that type of series. It’s a tightly written and executed four seasons, with its full story unraveling at the intended and planned pacing right up to its final moments.
… With One of the Best Series Finales of All Time
And the series finale? It’s a masterstroke of pure genius that makes every single second one devoted to the series worth the ride.
Mr. Robot easily has one of the greatest series finales of all time. Frankly, I can’t properly expound on just how fantastic it is without spoiling the series at large, and that would be a disservice.
The entire series culminates in an emotionally and intellectually satisfying, powerful conclusion that will stick with you for years to come.
Case in point, I still think about the series finale — I’ve rewatched it at least half a dozen times, and I can’t even hear a specific needle drop without the song transporting right back to it (a credit to Mr. Robot’s music director).
If you missed Mr. Robot during its original run, you’re in for a rare treat: a complete, uncompromising series that respects its audience and delivers on every level.
Mr. Robot is a masterclass in storytelling that challenges its viewers and is an immersive series that literally treats you like a participant rather than a passive observer.
It’s weird, wonderful, and timeless — and once you start watching, there’s no logging off.
Watch Mr. Robot Online
We’re not yelling about algorithms — just Mr. Robot because we love it that much and want you to love it too.
If you love this series as well, have your own reasons why you recommend it, or you’re planning to watch it, let us know. Comments and shares make a difference, especially for small outlets like TV Fanatic.
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