Watched on Netflix IN
I just finished watching 3 Body Problem, and well, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. If you’re familiar with Liu Cixin’s novel, you know it’s packed with wild science concepts and mind-bending ideas. David Benioff and D.B. Weiss (the duo behind Game of Thrones) team up with Alexander Woo to bring this sci-fi epic to the screen. They definitely swing for the fences, and while the show has its moments, it doesn't quite hit every note. Some parts are visually amazing, and other parts... well, they feel like they’re dragging or going off track a bit.
One thing 3 Body Problem does right is creating these jaw-dropping visuals, especially during the virtual reality scenes. Those parts are genuinely exciting and capture the unsettling, mysterious vibe of navigating alien worlds. I loved the scenes where the characters dive into this VR game that looks and feels like a whole other reality. There’s a real sense of scale and spectacle here, and it’s easy to get wrapped up in the incredible visual effects. It’s one of those things that reminds you why this story is so ambitious to adapt in the first place.
The acting is another highlight. Jess Hong as Jin and Benedict Wong as the investigator Da Shi were the standouts for me. They bring this warmth and humour that makes the dense, science-heavy storyline feel more grounded and relatable. They make the most of their roles, and it’s thanks to their performances that some of the more intense concepts don’t feel completely overwhelming. Watching Da Shi’s jaded outlook and Jin’s curiosity makes the stakes feel a little more human, even when things get out there with all the scientific theories.
But I have to admit, 3 Body Problem takes some pretty big liberties with the original story. Moving the setting from China to the UK and adding a whole ensemble of characters means some of the novel’s depth gets lost. The pacing can also feel uneven—there are parts that feel really stretched out, and then the finale suddenly picks up speed, leaving some loose ends and unanswered questions. It’s like they’re cramming a lot in to set up future seasons, and that rushed ending just doesn’t quite land.
Smash Hit Score: 6.5/10
3 Body Problem is a solid attempt at adapting something incredibly complex, even if it’s a bit rough around the edges. It’s not flawless, but it has enough cool moments to make it worth a watch if you’re into sci-fi and don’t mind a few liberties with the source material.
GIFs from Netflix's Tenor Page
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