American Rust (2021–2024) User Reviews

Slow, yes, but an excellent piece of work

[pfgpowell-1 · 8/10 · 18 December 2021]

Although American Rust gets a high average rating here on IMDB, the press gave it a rathe lesser welcome and judgment. That is unfair.

It is usually compared to the excellent Mare Of Eastwood, which plays in a similar downbeat environment. But comparisons, as the man said, can be odious. Yes, it covers the same ground but it does is just as well.

It might be slow-moving, but blame those who don't like that on those who don't like 'slow-moving'. American Rust tells more than just the superficial story.

It describes, in quite subtle detail the lives, problems and dilemmas of some folk who have been cast to live at the arse end of existence. And it does the job very well indeed.

Why all the low ratings? Very promising show

[catfanatic888 · 8/10 · 6 November 2021]

I think a lot of reviewers must not know the lighting on this show is mood lighting to emphasize the darkness, dreary area and somber mood of the town's residents. The events would be much less effective if it was bright, sunny, cheery lighting. I can't believe I feel the need to make a case for different types of lighting on a film project. And the cast is top-notch. The reviewers must not watch tv or film to not know who these stars are. It's a very well written adaptation from a book.

Underrated!

[Clairepcb · 8/10 · 23 October 2021]

This show is very underrated quite frankly for its realism. I love that it is not an over hyped, over acted, overly dramatized look at life in a small steel town in Pennsylvania. I think what in most captivating is everything about seems like its playing out exactly as it might with all the sorrows, depths and loyalties that one might find in small impoverished town in which one must rely on ones town folks in desperate times. It was cast brilliantly with top notch acting and writing. Jeff Daniels will likely be nominated for some award. The undertones of opioid addiction are incorporated just enough that you understand how pervasive the problem is but not so much it overly dominates the main story line which is really about loyalties one might experience in a place where everyone knows one another and are somehow intertwined with a sense of duty to one another, something lost in large cities. The only missed opportunity here so far is that the director didnt do a better job cinematically. It is obvious this is not a seasoned director and should they renew it for a second season I hope they expand the budget to include better cinematography. Well done. Im on episode 6 and I am completely invested.

I like how the pace picks up as the episodes progress

[rklemm05 · 9/10 · 2 November 2021]

Ok, it's a slow show to begin with. You mainly watch the first episodes for the cast, the filming, the atmosphere... But as the story unfolds, the plot starts to take a turn for the best, things move faster and faster, almost surprisingly so... I'm so glad I didn't give up after a few episodes, the reward was definitely worth it!

Utterly Compelling and Moving Story

[mjbg666 · 10/10 · 8 November 2021]

I loved this series. All of the characters are richly drawn and superbly acted. Jeff Daniels' performance in particular is worthy of an award, but so too were the performances of the entire cast. The series finale was a brilliant example of how life does not always tie everything up in a neat, satisfactory package, but left a resonant message of both despair and hope. I cannot understand the volume of negative reviews this show garnered in nearly all the major press. Regardless of whether Showtime decides to commit to another series is irrelevant. The series concluded as written by the author. Like so many things in life, it will leave you frustrated, angry, and profoundly in awe of the how we all either succumb or rise above the challenges that test our capacity for compassion and violence.

Slow start, worth it toward the end

[sleepnowjosh · 7/10 · 7 November 2021]

This show started off slow and I almost called it quits after the second episode, but I love Jeff Daniels in serious roles and I wanted to give it a real chance. I'm really glad I did. Here we are at episode 9 and it's totally paid off in full, though the show picked up earlier than that. I think the critics rushed to judgement on it.

Great Acting

[jc-13129 · 10/10 · 14 October 2021]

I have to say I consider this tv series a very good show. It moves a little slow but the acting is very good from all the actors. Jeff Daniel's performance was absolutely great. I hope Showtime gives it a second season to make a few adjustments and bring it to the top.

Opening episode is a slow-burner (a good thing!)

[paul-allaer · 7/10 · 14 September 2021]

As "American Rust" (2021 release; 8 episodes of about 60 min. Each) opens with Episode 1 "The Mill", we see an old guy preparing pills (opioids?). He is soon revealed as Del Harris, Police Chief of the (fictional) town of Buell, PA, "closer to West Virginia in distance and community than to Pittsburgh", he remarks dryly. We are then introduced to Billy and Isaac, two kids just out of high school. Isaac reminds Billy that it's the last night of his 6 month probation, something worth celebrating. What is Billy on probation for? We then go the "Six Months Earlier"... At this point we are 10 min into Episode 1.

Couple of comments: this mini-series is the TV adaptation of the book of the same name by Philipp Meyer, as directed by veteran TV director John Dahl. I have not read the book so I cannot comment how closely the TV series sticks to the book. As I was watching Episode 1, I immediately had to think of this other recent TV mini-series Mare of Eastown, starring Kate Winslet. The central theme is the same: a small and rural Pennsylvania town continues to decay, leaving its population (whatever is left of it) in shambles and desperation. And oh yes, along the way there is a murder mystery to be solved. So my expectations were not very high for "American Rust", but I must admit that I quite enjoyed Episode 1. Other than Jeff Daniels (in the lead role of the Police Chief), this is pretty much a no-name cast (at least for me), but the acting performances were quite robust. Even there are several plot twists in just the opening episode, positioning itself to be an explosive mini-series, the overall pace of at least Episode 1 is quite slow.

"American Rust" premiered this weekend on Showtime, and Episode 1 is now available on Showtime on Demand, Amazon Instant Video and other platforms. New episodes air on Sunday evenings at 10 pm Eastern. If you are in the mood for a dark, if not grim, murder mystery series set in a depressing environment, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

Awesome series

[hardbop-52125 · 10/10 · 18 October 2021]

Have no idea why all the crap reviews What a great show....not slow at all....cool story and great characters....very menacing at times and very suspenseful as well. Hate to see it end.

Reminds me of The Deer Hunter (1978)

[thorntonburns · 7/10 · 12 September 2021]

Powerful story about people in a Rust Belt area and there is little hope for the future. Fine acting that supports the episodes and those that deal with one problem after another. True, it is depressing, but all to real.

Jeff Daniel's Best Role

[twalsh-18369 · 9/10 · 26 October 2021]

This role seems to be written for Daniels. Very good acting by the whole cast, especially Maura Tierney, Alex Neustaedter and Rob Yang. Well worth the binge.

it's better than it started out

[absinthia · 7/10 · 27 October 2021]

It's complicated, not full of action but it's worth watching if you like slower shows about what has happened to depressed parts of the country. Jeff daniels isn't nearly as good as he was in "the newsroom" but he's still good. I like maura tierney and i like this role a lot more than the disappointing "the affair." (that one was good the first season and then i thought, "wtf am i watching?")

I want to like it.....

[runchuck · 5/10 · 13 September 2021]

It's got a great cast. Jeff Daniels is good in everything he does. Maura Tierney stretches herself as an actress playing the working class seamstress in a dead end town. The supporting cast also set the tone of people stuck in their hometown all sleep walking through their lives. We've seen this before but done better. (Mare of Eastown). After 1 episode, where the characters and story are introduced and set up though, so far there is no emotional "hook". Yes there's a murder and all is not at it seems, but the pacing of the story is very slow. I'm not really rooting for anyone yet. None of the characters (including the leads are particularly interesting or even likable. Still, I'm interested enough to try another episode or 2 to see how it all unfolds. Watching a lot of these murder in a small town mystery series that we're seeing on cable these days, sometimes the stories take a while to get where they're going!

GREAT SERIES

[cattaraddu · 10/10 · 14 November 2021]

Though it doesn t have a flashy start, the action just grows and absorbs you. I am waiting all week to see what happens next. It s like a normal, ordinary small town community at first glance but with a series of unexpected problems and dark secrets if u look closely. I like it, I find it very good, it has a lot of tension, the characters are well built, makes me want to see more.

It may be true, the scenes are filmed in low light but maybe that s intentional, as they want to present the darkness that exists behind the courtains. It deserves a lot of credit!

Highly recommend

[firoozh · 9/10 · 11 November 2021]

I have a confession to make, I watch anything with Jeff Daniels in it, but seriously this series is the best in current American television series. It's realistic, non glamorous with excellent performances. Not LA or New York, heart land of USA dealing with issues from union organizing to small time drug dealings. Characters are real and most of the time unsympathetic.

A bit slow but worth watching.

[lakegrovefc · 7/10 · 5 October 2021]

This show is not as entertaining as City on a Hill but still worth watching.

They do seem to focus a bit much on some bizarre sex which is difficult to relate to, and not necessary IMO. (Gay sex at truck stops and on freight trains for instance). I guess they are trying to paint a dark picture of the world. Definitely not a family show.

Uncomfortably great slow burner!

[Almost_Soldout · 10/10 · 8 November 2021]

Definitely recommend to slow burn fans who is into darker real life crime dramas! It starts pretty flat but then it develops to the solid level! I would say it's one of the best show of this niched genre this year.

P.s. Some people here complain about the show being too rusty but this is the whole point of it! It's like to complain about godzilla vs kong isn't realistic movie!

Worth the gamble?

[nancyldraper · 6/10 · 15 November 2021]

As of 6 days ago, the jury is still out on whether there will be a Season 2 of this show, which is unfortunate because all the plot strands were unresolved and we were left with huge cliffhangers. This series was compared to MARE OF EASTTOWN but It lacks all of the things that made that series great - wit, characters you cheered for, stand out performances, colour and hope in the midst of trouble. Personally, I have a problem with series that don't have seasonal plot arcs within a larger series landscape, they feel mercenary, as in, "Give is a budget/job security and we will tell you a complete story." I feel we are being held for ransom. I think the show isn't worth the gamble of them finding their story. I give this series a 6 (lacking) out of 10. {Crime Drama}

Don't listen to these bad reviews..GREAT SHOW!

[jgathings-95761 · 10/10 · 4 November 2021]

I swear I wonder if the people that post these stupid and slanderous reviews are the same kind of people that won't go to the theatre unless some Marvel crap is playing on the big screen. "American Rust" is a slow burn at times but it's totally a good thing! Compelling characters, dramatic storylines, and great writing round out the show perfectly. Been on my Sunday night rotation since it premiered. Jeff Daniels, Bill Camp and the two younger actors that play Billy and Isaac are phenomenal! 10/10.

Terrible ending

[b-hamilton1 · 7/10 · 18 December 2021]

Great series but the final episode was incredibly unsatisfying, unless there is going to be a second season.

The storyline from the beginning is great. This is the one of few series which have completely hooked me from the beginning which is quite rare.

The cast is really good especially the main police chief character who is really good.

A 9 after 9 episodes

[LyceeM16 · 9/10 · 25 September 2021]

After 2 episdoes:So far- the acting and the characters are wonderful as are the scenes of hard times and celebrations in a rusted mill town. All the leads have immensely expressive and compelling expressions and body language that complement the spareness of the dialogue. The actors show real emotions - great relief after all of the shouting that fills the airwaves these days. Slow burn- I agree and an elegaic feel- an elegy for a town and the people that America left behind.

After show finished: Great show: 9-10/10 The elegaic feel is maintained until the end. Cliffhangers do raise possibility of another season. Main characters Daniels, Tierney, Mayoraga, Neustaedter, Alvarez) are superb as are Camp/Yang/Roberts. A dark story for dark times about complromised flawed people reaching for some degree of happiness and stability but the odds are always stacked against them- as injustice is baked inot the fabric of the town.

Solid Performances in Story of Decaying Small Town America

[shlbyreed · 7/10 · 11 October 2021]

If you have ever lived in a "Steel Town," or other community experiencing a downturn in its economic fortunes, American Rust will be familiar to you. Performances by Daniels and. Tierney (why would we expect anything less from these two) are outstanding as are the performances of the rest of the cast. As the telling of the story is purposeful and deliberate, folks desiring quick resolutions may be put-off by the pacing. I was not. Also what I found to be realistic descriptions of the desperation of real towns similar to fictional Buell, PA, might be viewed as negative by others. Overall American Rust is a very good show suited for more mature audiences - it likely will not satisfy the car chase/explosion/slasher/soft porn crowd.

Chugging along until episode 6

[cmaj-50574 · 5/10 · 19 October 2021]

This series was interesting but slow, Jeff Daniels is very watchable and can usually be relied on for quality scripts and subtle but accurate portrayals. Then came episode six and the show came off the rails. The gratuitous motel sex scene was so over the top and unnecessary to the story line that it seemed like a side bar in which the writer or director could indulge his/her own fetishes. Completely unwarranted and irrelevent.

Awesome slow burner!

[Jdubb0113 · 10/10 · 7 November 2021]

Great acting, great cast, great plot and story line! I'm so confused on how a awesome series like this gets so many negative reviews..smh, I bet these same simple minded people that's giving this show the bad reviews are the one's that thinks great acting is movies like Fast and Furious lol.... Don't pay any attention to the negative reviews and give this series a watch, It's a awesome dark slow burn series!

Acting is superb!

[bobbiekostos · 9/10 · 28 September 2021]

The storyline is good and the actors were superbly casted. Jeff Daniels, of course, is at his very best which he usually is. Cinematography truly depicts the depressed feelings of the characters. However, it moves slowly and is a bit of a downer. The scene in the mortuary was over the top and the constant bare ass scenes? Are these really necessary? All in all it's a good show, but allow the really good acting prevail please.