The Changeling, Apple TV+'s ongoing fantasy TV series adaptation of author Victor LaValle's award-winning sci-fi novel, had its 3-episode premiere on September 8, 2023, and debuted to mixed reviews.
The LaKeith Stanfield-led drama currently has a Rotten Tomatoes score of 64%, which means that out of the 56 reviews for the show, 64% of critics gave it a passing score- it received a "fresh" score from 36 critics and a "rotten" score from 20 critics. The Changeling currently has an average rating of 6.6 out of 10.
Nearly every review praises the show for its ambitious nature, but some reviewers have criticized the adaptation for its slow pace.
But is this another case of American television audiences having a "fast-food" appetite when what's being served up is intended for a more refined palate?
"When people don’t like it, they really don’t like it; when people love it, they really love it," said Changeling director Jonathan van Tulleken to the Hollywood Reporter.
He continued, "You never know how it’s going to go when you’re making something. All you can do is immerse yourself in the story, especially as the director, and hope that you get the best performances and the best visuals and that you can hold the story together and push it through."
The series is definitely a show that requires the audience's undivided attention, or you'll miss the subtle foreshadowing that provides context clues for plot developments that will otherwise feel unearned.
Van Tulleken echoed that same sentiment, telling THR, "When you make something that really tries to be ambitious and bold and not the kind of telly that you can cook dinner to or be on TikTok while you’re watching, that you’ve really got to engage with and lean forward into, it’s tough. I’m very proud, and I’m even weirdly proud of the negative reviews, because I feel like even the negative reviews are saying, ‘Holy shit, they really tried something.’ And that’s the kind of TV I’m interested in making."
The Changeling premiered on September 8, 2023, releasing the first three episodes at once. The show will then follow a weekly format release schedule, concluding its eight-episode first season on October 12, 2023.
Based on the acclaimed bestselling book of the same name by Victor LaValle, “The Changeling” is a fairytale for grown-ups. A horror story, a parenthood fable and a perilous odyssey through a New York City you didn’t know existed. Starring and executive produced by Academy Award nominee LaKeith Stanfield (“Atlanta,” “Judas and the Black Messiah,” “Sorry to Bother You,” “The Book of Clarence”), the series also stars Clark Backo, Adina Porter, Samuel T. Herring, Alexis Louder, Jared Abrahamson and special guest star Malcolm Barrett.
“The Changeling” is written and adapted by showrunner and executive producer Kelly Marcel (“Cruella,” “Venom,” “Venom: Let There Be Carnage”). The pilot episode was directed by Melina Matsoukas (“Queen & Slim,” “Insecure”).
The series is produced by Apple Studios and Annapurna. Megan Ellison, Patrick Chu and Ali Krug are executive producers on behalf of Annapurna. Showrunner Marcel, the book’s author LaValle, David Knoller and director Jonathan van Tulleken executive produce alongside star Stanfield. Director Matsoukas serves as executive producer through her De La Revolución Films. Sue Naegle and David Wolkis also serve as executive producer, with Khaliah Neal as co-executive producer.