Devs (TV series) explained

Creator:Alex Garland
Director:Alex Garland
Country:United States
Language:English
Num Episodes:8
List Episodes:
  1. Episodes
Cinematography:Rob Hardy
Editor:Jake Roberts
Runtime:43–57 minutes
Network:FX on Hulu

Devs is an American science fiction thriller television miniseries created, written, and directed by Alex Garland. It premiered on March 5, 2020, on FX on Hulu.[1] [2] [3]

The series explores themes related to free will and determinism, as well as Silicon Valley. It received generally positive reviews, with critics praising its imagination, cinematography, acting, and soundtrack.[4]

Synopsis

Lily Chan (Sonoya Mizuno) is a software engineer for Amaya, a quantum computing company run by Forest (Nick Offerman). Lily soon becomes embroiled in the mysterious death of her boyfriend, who died on the first day of his new job at the Devs team at Amaya.

Cast and characters

Main

Recurring

Guest

Production

Development

On March 13, 2018, it was announced that FX had given the production a pilot order. The pilot was written by Alex Garland, who also directed and executive produced the episode.[6] On July 23, 2018, Rob Hardy mentioned in an interview that he would serve as the cinematographer for the series.[7]

On August 3, 2018, it was announced during the Television Critics Association's annual summer press tour that FX had decided to bypass the pilot process and instead were giving the production a straight-to-series order consisting of eight episodes. Additional executive producers include Andrew Macdonald, Allon Reich, Eli Bush, and Scott Rudin.

Garland appeared at the New York Comic Con and explained his reasoning behind the creation of the series: "I read more about science than anything else, and it started with two things. One was getting my head around this principle of determinism, which basically says that everything that happens in the world is based on cause and effect...That has all sorts of implications for us. One is that it takes away free will, but the other is that if you are at a computer powerful enough, you could use determinism to predict the future and understand the past. If you unravel everything about you, about the specifics of you why you prefer a cup of coffee to tea...then five seconds before you said you'd like to have a cup of coffee one would be able to predict you'd ask for it."[8] In November 2019, it was announced the show would premiere on Hulu instead of FX, as part of "FX on Hulu".[9] On January 9, 2020, it was announced that the series would premiere on March 5, 2020.[10]

Casting

Alongside the series order announcement, it was confirmed that Sonoya Mizuno, Nick Offerman, Jin Ha, Zach Grenier, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Cailee Spaeny, and Alison Pill had been cast in the series' main roles. Amaya Mizuno-André, who plays Forest's daughter Amaya, is Sonoya Mizuno's niece.[11]

Filming

Filming on the series had begun by August 2018, with scenes shot at UC Santa Cruz.[12]

Release

The first teaser for the series was released October 5, 2019.[13] The first two episodes of the series were released on March 5, 2020, with the rest debuting weekly on Hulu under the label "FX on Hulu". In India, the series premiered on Hotstar on March 6, 2020.[14] The series premiered on BBC Two in the UK on April 15, 2020, with the whole series available on iPlayer at the same time.[15] On September 23, 2020, Fox Greece picked up the series and began airing it on September 28, 2020.[16]

Reception

Audience viewership

According to Whip Media's TV Time, Devs was the second most anticipated new television series of March 2020,[17] and the tenth rising show, based on the week-over-week growth in episodes watched for a specific program, during the week of March 15, 2020.[18] In January 2021, it was reported that Devs was one of FX on Hulu's most-watched series to date, surpassed by A Teacher.[19] [20]

Critical response

The series has an 82% rating with an average score of 7.7 out of 10 based on 90 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. The site's critical consensus reads: "A hauntingly beautiful meditation on humanity, Devs slow unfurling may test some viewers' patience, but fans of Alex Garland's singular talents will find much to chew on."[21] On Metacritic, it has a score of 71 out of 100 based on 32 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[22]

Brian Tallerico of RogerEbert.com found Devs to be a highly philosophical and intellectual sci-fi and called it "stunningly ambitious," stated, "It's ultimately an unforgettable and rewarding experience." Tallerico praised Garland's work and concluded by writing, "one of the best new shows in a long time."[23] Brian Lowry of CNN called the series audacious, summarizing that it is "a mind-blowing concept that doesn't entirely come together at the close, but which remains unsettling and provocative throughout."[24] Alan Sepinwall of Rolling Stone rated the series 4 out of 5 stars, praised the performances of the actors, and complimented writing and the score, saying, "Alex Garland's new sci-fi series is a confounding and mesmerizing trip into a scary near-future."[25] Martin Brown of Common Sense Media rated the series 3 out of 5 stars, praised the depiction of positive messages and role models, writing, "Devs poses ethical and moral questions about the nature of technology. Characters don't always act for the greater good, but some are driven by a sense of what is right," and complimented the diversity of the cast members.[26]

In a more mixed review from The New York Times, James Poniewozik wrote that "It showcases what Garland does well—ideas and atmosphere—while amplifying his weaknesses in character and plot. As the techies say, it scales—for better and for worse."[27] In a more negative review, Sophie Gilbert of The Atlantic wrote that "Devs is only the latest in a series of puzzle-box shows more preoccupied with their own cleverness and their labyrinthine twists than with the burden of watchability."[28]

The New York Times interviewed theoretical physicist Sean Carroll about sweeping statements about humanity and determinism made by the creators of Devs and Westworld. When asked which show he preferred, Carroll responded, "I was very impressed with how [''Devs''{{'}} creators] were doing something very, very different. I thought it was a very well done show. It was slow and contemplative, but that's a perfectly good change of pace from what we ordinarily see in action movies".[29]

Liam Gaughan of Collider called Devs "the best hard sci-fi show", praising the performances, emotional tone, and how it explored the multiverse concept.[30]

Accolades

YearAwardCategoryNominee(s)Result
2020Primetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Cinematography for a Limited Series or MovieRob Hardy (for "Episode 7")[31]
Outstanding Sound Editing for a Limited Series, Movie, or SpecialGlenn Freemantle, Ben Barker, Gillian Dodders, James Wichall, Danny Freemantle, Robert Malone, Dayo James, Nicholas Freemantle, Lily Blazewicz and Emilie O'Connor (for "Episode 3")
Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Limited Series or MovieLisa Piñero, Mitch Low, Howard Bargroff and Glen Gathard (for "Episode 3")
Outstanding Special Visual Effects in a Supporting RoleAndrew Whitehurst, Sarah Tulloch, Anne Akande, Samantha Townend, Giacomo Mineo, Tom Hales, George Kyparissous, Stafford Lawrence and Jon Uriarte (for "Episode 8")
British Society of Cinematographers AwardsBest Cinematography in a Television DramaRob Hardy[32]
2021British Academy Television Craft AwardsBest Photography & Lighting: Fiction[33]
Critics' Choice Super AwardsBest Actor in a Science Fiction/Fantasy SeriesNick Offerman[34]
Motion Picture Sound Editors AwardsOutstanding Achievement in Sound Editing - Sound Effects and Foley for Episodic Long Form Broadcast MediaGlenn Freemantle, Ben Barker, Danny Freemantle, Nick Freemantle, Rob Malone, Dayo James, Lilly Blazewicz, Peter Burgis and Zoe Freed (for "Episode 3")[35]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Travers . Ben . October 5, 2019 . 'Devs': After 'Annihilation,' Alex Garland Got Sick of Battling with Film Distributors and Turned to TV . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20191005220658/https://www.indiewire.com/2019/10/alex-garland-devs-hated-fighting-over-his-films-ex-machina-1202179070/ . October 5, 2019 . October 6, 2019 . IndieWire . en.
  2. Web site: Petski . Denise . August 3, 2018 . FX Picks Up Tech Thriller 'Devs' to Series; Sonoya Mizuno & Nick Offerman to Lead Cast – TCA . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180803190307/https://deadline.com/2018/08/fx-picks-up-tech-thriller-devs-to-series-sonoya-mizuno-nick-offerman-to-lead-cast-tca-1202439548/ . August 3, 2018 . August 3, 2018 . Deadline Hollywood.
  3. Web site: December 3, 2019 . FX Releases First Teaser and Exclusive Images For New Limited Series Devs . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200323194233/https://www.fxnetworks.com/news/devs/first-teaser-exclusive-images-fx-new-limited-series-devs/ . March 23, 2020 . January 8, 2020 . FX Networks.
  4. Web site: O'Falt . Chris . August 30, 2020 . 'Devs': Rob Hardy's Cinematography Brought the Mysterious Research Lab to Life . January 5, 2021 . IndieWire . en.
  5. Web site: Yeates . Cydney . February 6, 2020 . Inside Liz Carr's rising Hollywood career as she quits BBC's Silent Witness . April 20, 2020 . Metro.
  6. Web site: Andreeva . Nellie . March 13, 2018 . FX Orders Tech Thriller Pilot 'Devs' From Alex Garland, DNA TV & Scott Rudin . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180801022240/https://deadline.com/2018/03/fx-devs-pilot-ex-machina-alex-garland-scott-rudin-1202336940/ . August 1, 2018 . August 3, 2018 . Deadline Hollywood.
  7. Web site: Collins . James . July 23, 2018 . 'Work Hard and listen' Mission: Impossible – Fallout DP Rob Hardy on shooting action movies and more . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20181226133652/https://www.mandy.com/news/mission-impossible-fallout-cinematographer-rob-hardy-interview . December 26, 2018 . December 25, 2018 . Mandy.
  8. Web site: Bell . Amanda . October 5, 2019 . Mysterious First Footage from Alex Garland's Devs Finally Revealed . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20191006003302/https://www.tvguide.com/news/devs-first-footage-alex-garland/ . October 6, 2019 . October 6, 2019 . TV Guide.
  9. Web site: Jarvey . Natalie . Goldberg . Lesley . November 7, 2019 . FX to Produce Programming for Hulu . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20191107221811/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/fx-produce-programming-hulu-1253252 . November 7, 2019 . November 7, 2019 . The Hollywood Reporter.
  10. Web site: Petski . Denise . January 9, 2020 . FX Sets Premiere Dates For 'Fargo', 'Mrs. America', 'Better Things', 'Devs', 'Archer' & More – TCA . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200109192952/https://deadline.com/2020/01/fx-sets-premiere-dates-for-fargo-mrs-america-better-things-devs-archer-more-tca-1202825595/ . January 9, 2020 . January 9, 2020 . Deadline Hollywood.
  11. Singer . Jenny . March 25, 2020 . Devs's Sonoya Mizuno and Her Sisters Are Hollywood's Next Royal Family . live . . https://web.archive.org/web/20200404134229/https://www.glamour.com/story/devs-sonoya-mizuno-sisters . April 4, 2020 . May 3, 2020.
  12. Web site: Lee . Shinae . October 5, 2018 . Santa Cruz on the Big Screen . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20181007113107/https://www.cityonahillpress.com/2018/10/05/santa-cruz-on-the-big-screen/ . October 7, 2018 . January 9, 2020 . City on a Hill Press.
  13. Web site: Boucher . Geoff . October 5, 2019 . Alex Garland's 'Devs': FX Releases New Images And Teaser – New York Comic Con . January 9, 2020 . Deadline Hollywood.
  14. Web site: Arora . Akhil . February 27, 2020 . Star Wars, Westworld, Ozark, and More: March 2020 TV Guide to Netflix, Hotstar, and Amazon . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200227153447/https://gadgets.ndtv.com/entertainment/features/star-wars-westworld-ozark-the-mandalorian-march-2020-tv-shows-hotstar-netflix-amazon-2186495 . February 27, 2020 . February 28, 2020 . NDTV Gadgets 360.
  15. News: Howlett . Paul . April 15, 2020 . TV tonight: eerie sci-fi thriller Devs begins . The Guardian . live . April 16, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200415083212/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/apr/15/tv-tonight-the-start-of-eerie-new-sci-fi-thriller-devs-nick-offerman . April 15, 2020.
  16. Web site: September 23, 2020 . Devs: Η νέα σειρά που ξεχωρίζει ήδη, "προσγειώνεται" στο FOX! . December 24, 2020 . Digital Life! . el.
  17. Web site: Prange . Stephanie . February 26, 2020 . Hulu's 'Little Fires Everywhere' Top New, HBO's 'Westworld' Top Returning Shows on March TV Time Anticipation Charts . October 29, 2022 . Media Play News . en-US.
  18. Web site: Prange . Stephanie . March 16, 2020 . Netflix's 'On My Block' Top Rising Show, 'Elite' Top Binge on TV Time Charts . October 29, 2022 . Media Play News . en-US.
  19. Web site: White . Peter . January 27, 2021 . 'A Teacher' Surpasses 'Mrs. America' & 'Devs' To Become Most-Watched FX On Hulu Series . October 29, 2022 . Deadline . en-US.
  20. Web site: Bridgerton and A Teacher Top Netflix and Hulu's Most-Watched List . Eric . Todisco . January 27, 2021 . October 29, 2022 . People . en.
  21. Web site: Devs: Season 1 (2020) . April 8, 2022 . Rotten Tomatoes.
  22. Web site: Devs . April 8, 2022 . Metacritic.
  23. Web site: Tallerico . Brian . March 4, 2020 . Alex Garland Wants to Break Your Brain with the Brilliant Devs . May 18, 2020 . RogerEbert.com.
  24. Web site: Lowry . Brian . March 4, 2020 . 'DEVS' dives into the world of brainy sci-fi from director Alex Garland . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200306064500/https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/04/entertainment/devs-review/index.html . March 6, 2020 . May 18, 2020 . CNN.
  25. Sepinwall . Alan . March 4, 2020 . 'Devs' Review: Where Tech and Terror Collide . July 11, 2022 . Rolling Stone . en-US.
  26. Web site: Devs TV Review . Common Sense Media . Martin . Brown . March 31, 2022 . July 11, 2022 . en.
  27. Web site: Poniewozik . James . March 4, 2020 . Review: 'Devs' Is a Cold and Beautiful Machine . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200604155122/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/04/arts/television/devs-review.html . June 4, 2020 . May 18, 2020 . The New York Times.
  28. Web site: Gilbert . Sophie . March 11, 2020 . Why TV Is So Worried About Free Will . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200515012421/https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2020/03/devs-and-westworld-mine-data-dystopia/607771/ . May 15, 2020 . May 18, 2020 . The Atlantic.
  29. Web site: Ugwu . Reggie . May 4, 2020 . 'Westworld' and 'Devs' Asked Big Questions. A Physicist Responds. . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200508022610/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/04/arts/television/westworld-finale-devs-sean-carroll.html . May 8, 2020 . May 17, 2020 . . 0362-4331.
  30. Web site: The Best Hard Sci-Fi Show Only Lasted One Season . Collider . Liam . Gaughan . December 5, 2023 . December 7, 2023.
  31. Web site: Devs . July 28, 2020 . Emmys.com . Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
  32. Web site: Best Cinematography in a Television Drama - Winners. British Society of Cinematographers. 4 February 2023.
  33. Web site: April 28, 2021 . BAFTA TV 2021: Nominations for the Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards and British Academy Television Craft Awards . BAFTA . April 28, 2021.
  34. Web site: Hammond . Pete . November 19, 2020 . 'Palm Springs', 'Lovecraft Country' Top Movie And Series Nominations For Inaugural Critics Choice Super Awards; Netflix Lands 35 Nods . December 23, 2020 . Deadline Hollywood.
  35. Web site: April 17, 2021 . 2021 GOLDEN REEL AWARD WINNERS . MPSE.org . . April 18, 2021 . April 18, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210418070426/https://www.mpse.org/68thGRAWinners . dead .

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Devs (TV series)".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.