Zack Snyder is at it again, dividing critics with his new animated series Twilight of the Gods. Based on Norse mythology, Twilight of the Gods follows Sigrid (Sylvia Hoeks) as she swears bloody revenge against Thor (Pilou Asbaek) and the rest of the Asgardian deities. The series is Snyder’s sixth partnership with Netflix, and the director’s first full foray into animation, and, in true Zack Snyder fashion, critics can’t agree with their opinions of the show.
The early reviews for Twilight of the Gods are a mixed bag. The majority of reviews have called the series an up-and-down affair. According to critics, Twilight of the Gods combines beautiful visuals (a staple of Snyder’s movies) with an undercooked story that lacks narrative depth (sadly, another staple of Snyder’s more recent movies). However, some critics absolutely adore the show. Steve Seigh of JoBlo wrote, “Twilight of the Gods is a brilliantly bloody and well-crafted epic that brings promise to the filmmaker’s foray into animation.” That opinion is shared by Daniel Kurland of Bloody Disgusting, who described the show as “an Adrenaline-Pumping, Bloodsoaked Orgy of Action,” — which doesn’t make much sense until you remember the word “sex” was literally used as a selling point in the first trailer.
However, for every positive review, there are two or three critics who found the series nothing more than mediocre. IGN scored the series a 6/10, with critic Isaiah Colbert saying that Twilight of the Gods‘ “justifies its ‘mature’ contents,” rather than serving the story. Angie Han of The Hollywood Reporter held a similar notion, saying:
“As a work simply to be looked at, it’s a thing of beauty. Alas, as one to get emotionally invested in, it’s rather more lacking.”
All episodes of Twilight of the Gods are now streaming on Netflix. A Rotten Tomatoes score hasn’t been released yet, but looking at the reviews, it is likely that the show will sit around the halfway mark with critics. As with most Zack Snyder projects, Twilight of the Gods will probably score much higher with audiences, as the director’s dedicated fan base is expected to appear in full force in support of Snyder’s first animated series.
What Is Twilight of the Gods?
Loosely inspired by the Nordic tale of Ragnarök, the apocalyptic war that brings about the end and rebirth of the world, Twilight of the Gods pits the mortal forces of Earth against the pantheon of Norse gods. Sold with the tagline “Blood. Sex. Dragons.” in its first trailer, Twilight of the Gods appears to be exactly what is advertises.
Netflix gave audiences a better look at the series as part of the ongoing Geeked Week. The latest trailer shows Sigrid asking for Loki’s help, and assembling her armies, as she prepares for war against Thor, Odin, the Valkyries, and the litany of other Norse gods. The official synopsis reads:
“In a mythical world of great battles, great deeds and great despair, Leif, a mortal King, is saved on the battlefield by Sigrid, an iron-willed warrior with whom he falls in love. On their wedding night, Sigrid and Leif survive a wrath of terror from Thor, which sets them – and a crew of crusaders – on an against all odds and merciless mission for vengeance. This heroic story of love, loss and revenge, is a journey to Hell and beyond… across fantastical lands, battlefields fierce and bloody, and wars waged against Gods and demons.”
All episodes of
Twilight of the Gods
are streaming on Netflix.