Pluribus Review: Vince Gilligan Delivers An Eerie, Slow-Burning Instant Sci-Fi Classic You Can’t Miss On Apple TV

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Similar to the classic show The Twilight Zone – which creator Vince Gilligan has said is his favorite – Pluribus is a sci-fi series that builds suspense slowly and deliberately. It’s a thoughtfully crafted and captivating story.

With the addition of Pluribus, Apple TV continues to establish itself as the go-to place for original science fiction. Following critically acclaimed shows like Severance and popular series like Foundation, Pluribus offers what might be Apple TV+’s most thought-provoking sci-fi concept yet—combining big ideas about ideal societies and shared minds with personal questions about identity and feeling alone in the modern world.

With Pluribus, Gilligan revisits the science fiction roots of his work on The X-Files. The story centers on Carol Sturka, a successful but unhappy fantasy novelist, played by Rhea Seehorn (known for her Emmy-nominated role in Better Call Saul). The series focuses almost entirely on Carol’s journey, set against the backdrop of a massive, world-changing event that’s somewhere between a disaster and a hopeful turning point.

Beyond its beautifully shot scenes, the most impressive thing about the series Pluribus is how truly original it is – it stands out from everything else currently available on streaming. Released on Apple TV with new episodes each week after a two-episode start on November 7th, Pluribus will especially appeal to viewers who are willing to pay close attention and stick with it until the end of the first season.

Pluribus Is A Rewarding Sci-Fi Slow Burn That Will Creep You Out & Keep You Guessing

Similar to the carefully crafted storytelling in shows like Breaking Bad, every shot and detail in Pluribus feels deliberate and meaningful. The character of Carol is tough and world-weary, but also practical and easy to understand. She often tries to hold onto her principles and a sense of normalcy even as the world around her changes dramatically and quickly.

In a world that feels strangely new and unsettling, Carol attempts to fight against a forced sense of happiness. Her struggle highlights the core flaws of human nature and what we risk losing. While everything appears calm and cheerful on the surface, this peace comes at the cost of our humanity – the complex mix of good and bad, right and wrong, that makes us who we are.

The series, Pluribus, follows Carol as she desperately seeks answers in a bizarre new Albuquerque, all while trying to cope with unsettling and hostile surroundings. Beyond the mystery, the show also explores a deeper question: how much can we change and evolve before we lose sight of who we are? And is striving for a better future worth giving up our core identities?

This is just one instance of the deeper meaning found in Pluribus. While the film offers explanations for its strange events, it also wisely allows viewers to draw their own conclusions. The deliberately slow pace builds intense suspense, which effectively mirrors Carol’s agonizing experience as she struggles to survive in a chaotic world.

Patience Is A Virtue You’ll Need To Exercise To Get The Most Out Of Pluribus

One of the strengths of Pluribus is its insightful look at people and modern life, even after a major shift in how we think. It understands our deep-seated need to defend ourselves from anything we see as a threat—even abstract ones like change, whether that change is good or bad.

Carol’s strong beliefs and pride often lead her to defend her own version of the truth, even when it might not be the best choice for her. Unlike many other shows about the end of the world, like The Last of Us, which depict a clearly terrible and hopeless situation, Pluribus presents a more complicated change. It’s less about good versus evil and more about weighing different possibilities – almost like a tough ‘either/or’ question where both options have their own merits.

The film also shows the everyday, ordinary parts of life, and spends a lot of time focusing on them. We see all of this through Carol’s eyes, as the camera stays very close to her – even during her quiet, personal moments, which aren’t always filled with excitement.

Pluribus unfolds at its own deliberate pace, telling its story in a very specific way. Viewers used to faster-paced shows might find it requires more concentration, as the series doesn’t rush to grab your attention. Its old-fashioned style could be a sticking point for some, but it’s also a defining characteristic.

Despite any initial slowness, don’t get too caught up in analyzing it – this is Vince Gilligan’s first new TV show since Breaking Bad, and it’s another brilliantly complex sci-fi idea on Apple TV. Plurbius requires a little patience, but the intriguing and deliberately paced story will constantly surprise you and make you think.

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2025-11-07 16:06