Vince Gilligan’s Pluribus: 5 Reasons Why Critics Love the New Sci-Fi Drama

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Vince Gilligan, the creator of Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad, is back with a new show called Pluribus. It’s been three years since Better Call Saul finished, and early reviews for Pluribus are fantastic – it currently has a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The show, filmed in Albuquerque, New Mexico, centers around a deeply unhappy person who has to save the world from a virus that’s made everyone overly optimistic.

Critics weren’t allowed to share their opinions until after the first two episodes of Gilligan’s new sci-fi drama, Pluribus, premiered on Apple TV on November 7, 2025. However, almost everyone agrees it’s another excellent addition to Apple TV+’s impressive collection of sci-fi shows. In fact, Bob Odenkirk even compared it to Severance, calling it the next big thing.

Unsurprisingly, Rhea Seehorn Delivers An Incredible Performance

Details about the story of Pluribus are scarce, but it’s built around Rhea Seehorn, with Vince Gilligan having written the part specifically for her. Seehorn impressed audiences during Better Call Saul with a performance that rivaled Bob Odenkirk’s iconic Saul Goodman. Despite consistent critical acclaim, Better Call Saul was often passed over at the Emmys, and Seehorn’s strong work was notably ignored with two missed opportunities for a supporting actress nomination.

The announcement of Seehorn as the lead in Pluribus generated a lot of excitement, and critics have especially praised her portrayal of Carol Sturka, a romance novelist who is profoundly unhappy.

Inverse:

Gilligan specifically created the character of Carol with Seehorn in mind, which explains why her performance is a standout even among her already impressive work. She expertly portrays Carol’s complex emotions – a mix of sadness and determination, anxiety and strength – all while subtly incorporating humor.

IndieWire:

Kim Wexler, brilliantly played by Rhea Seehorn throughout “Better Call Saul,” delivers a deeply emotional and powerful performance, consistently pushing her acting to the limit. It’s a demanding role, comparable to the intensity Tom Hanks brought to “Cast Away” or Will Forte to “The Last Man on Earth.”

Many reviews of the sci-fi drama Pluribus highlight Rhea Seehorn as the best part of the show. She’s now expected to be nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, and many believe this could finally be the year she wins.

Vince Gilligan’s Early Career Work On The X-Files Is Even More Refined

That’s Bryan Cranston in The X-Files in the picture, and an episode of The X-Files actually played a role in the success of Breaking Bad.

Everyone knows Vince Gilligan as the creative force behind amazing shows like Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, but I recently learned something really interesting! His very first TV writing job was actually on The X-Files. He didn’t just write a few episodes either – he wrote a whopping 30! Plus, he also stepped into roles as an executive producer and director on that show, which is pretty incredible when you think about it.

Vince Gilligan is best known for his crime dramas, but he also has a background in science fiction. Many viewers of Pluribus feel he excels in this genre, which was key to starting his career.

BBC:

The science fiction elements remind him of his time writing for The X-Files, but he approaches them with a self-aware, playful touch. As Carol puts it, “We’ve all seen this kind of story before, and we know how it usually ends.” Importantly, the sci-fi never overshadows the deeply human story at its core.

Instead of being inspired by shows like The X-Files, Pluribus draws more heavily from The Twilight Zone (a personal favorite of Gilligan’s), Will Forte’s The Last Man on Earth, and the classic sci-fi film Invasion of the Body Snatchers.

TVLine:

Having first become known for his work on “The X-Files,” the creator returns to science fiction with a show that feels like a mix of classic stories such as “The Twilight Zone,” “The Last Man on Earth,” and “Invasion of the Body Snatchers.” From the beginning, he establishes a spooky atmosphere, using dark humor – a style he’s known for – and exploring deep questions about what really makes people happy.

I’m a big fan of the suspenseful, thought-provoking themes about fear and distrust in both the original 1954 film Invasion of the Body Snatchers and its 1978 remake, so I’m really looking forward to Pluribus.

Pluribus Is Surprisingly Funny Despite It’s Sci-Fi Drama Label

MovieStillsDB

When people talk about what makes Breaking Bad or Better Call Saul so good, they usually mention the gripping suspense and how the main characters gradually become villains. That’s definitely what these shows are known for. However, creator Vince Gilligan also adds humor to balance the drama, like the funny ways Saul Goodman tries to get back at Howard Hamlin, or Jesse Pinkman’s famous line, “Yeah, science bitch!” It seems the new show, Pluribus, also includes this same type of clever humor.

Decider:

Like the classic sitcom Gilligan’s Island, Pluribus never lets serious moments overshadow its humor. The show is charming and surprising, consistently adding comedic touches while expertly balancing lightheartedness with darker themes and moments of fear with glimmers of hope. Even during fun, upbeat scenes, the show doesn’t shy away from exploring difficult ideas and genuinely frightening situations, ensuring they still make a strong impact.

Gilligan loves showing ordinary life, often focusing on his characters doing simple, everyday things. He combines these scenes with comedy, and a lot of the humor comes from how he uses the camera.

The Hollywood Reporter:

Gilligan often uses the background details of a scene to create tension or fear, as seen in moments where Carol drives through the altered landscape, requiring viewers to pay attention to both what’s happening with her and the unsettling environment around her. However, he also skillfully uses these details to highlight the strange and humorous aspects of ordinary life. Episodes like ‘Pluribus’ and ‘The Lowdown’ are among the season’s funniest, but I suspect awards shows will categorize them as dramas.

Pluribus Shares Pacing Similarities With Breaking Bad And Better Call Saul

©Apple TV+ / Courtesy Everett Collection

As a big fan, I’ve noticed something really cool about Pluribus! It’s filmed in Albuquerque, New Mexico, just like Breaking Bad! Now, there’s no sign the two shows are officially connected, but Vince Gilligan loves hiding little nods to his past work. So, if you’re a dedicated viewer, keep your eyes peeled – there are probably Easter eggs referencing Breaking Bad hidden throughout Pluribus!

Polygon:

Gilligan is skilled at finding the perfect camera angles, especially when filming the stunning New Mexico desert. The show has some truly beautiful moments, combined with the playful camerawork Gilligan is known for. While it hasn’t reached the level of iconic visuals like the pizza scene in Breaking Bad, the first few episodes of Pluribus are getting close.

Gilligan directs at a slower pace because he likes to hold on shots, both close-up and wide, letting images really sink in. He says this style comes from Stanley Kubrick, who believed the first image an audience sees should be memorable. Examples like the pizza on the roof or the pink bear in the pool show how he does this, and it seems he uses the same careful approach when structuring scenes in Pluribus.

Don’t Be Intimidated By The Slow Burn, It’s Completely Rewarding From Start To Finish

One common criticism of Pluribus is its slow pace. It feels like a show that requires viewers to be patient, as storylines unfold gradually and answers to initial mysteries aren’t revealed quickly.

Vulture:

You might start watching, curious about where the story is going, but each episode will leave you with a satisfying sense of reflection and plenty to think about.

Whether or not people will keep watching likely depends on the show’s slow pace. Viewers used to fast-moving procedural dramas on network TV – shows that rely on quick dialogue – might find it frustrating, and that’s perfectly okay. This show is different; it’s more visually focused and takes its time, requiring viewers to really pay attention instead of just having it on in the background.

Similar to that, the first few seasons of Breaking Bad were more restrained before the show became incredibly intense in seasons four and five. This was even truer of Better Call Saul, which focused much more on exploring its characters than Breaking Bad did.

ScreenRant:

Look, what I really appreciate about Pluribus is that it doesn’t rush anything. It unfolds at its own pace, and really commits to the story it’s telling, how it wants to tell it. Honestly, if you’re used to everything being super fast-paced, you might find yourself working to stay engaged, instead of just letting the show pull you in. It definitely has a classic, almost old-fashioned feel to it, and I think that’s going to be the thing people either love or hate about it.

However, don’t get too caught up in analyzing it – this is Vince Gilligan’s first show in years that isn’t connected to Breaking Bad, and it’s another brilliantly complex sci-fi idea on Apple TV. Plurbius requires patience, but the intriguing, slowly unfolding story will constantly surprise you and make you think.

Although the show starts slowly, most reviewers believe it’s worth sticking with – and they’ve only seen seven of the nine episodes so far. Given how satisfying the ending of Better Call Saul was, and knowing Vince Gilligan’s history, it’s a show you can trust will pay off.

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2025-11-07 22:53