Netflix fans divided over ‘engrossing’ new thriller everyone is binge-watching

Since landing on the streamer on Thursday 14 May, Nemesis has stormed to second place in the Netflix most-watched TV show charts

etflix viewers have been binge-watching Nemesis, the gritty new crime drama that landed on the streamer on Thursday.

Told across eight episodes, the series stars Matthew Law (Abbott Elementary, Ahsoka) and Y’lan Noel (Lady in the Lake, Insecure), who play Detective Isaiah Stiles and heist mastermind Coltrane Wilder, respectively.

Y'lan Noel as Coltrane Wilder, Cleopatra Coleman as Ebony Wilder in episode 102 of Nemesis© Saeed Adyani/Netflix
Y’lan Noel as Coltrane Wilder, Cleopatra Coleman as Ebony Wilder

Created by Courtney A. Kemp, the mastermind behind Power, the new series has already shot up the platform’s most-watched charts and is currently sitting at number two worldwide.

While viewers appear divided over the new show, critics have hailed it as “ridiculously entertaining” and praised the leading performances from Matthew and Y’lan. Intrigued? Keep reading to find out what viewers are saying about Nemesis…

What have critics said about Nemesis?

The show is currently sitting at a 90 per cent critics’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with The Guardian penning: “The occasional moments of comedy show that Nemesis knows how absurd it needs to be. And because it judges its own chaos levels perfectly, it’s ridiculously entertaining.”

Meanwhile, Vulture wrote: “Coltrane and Isaiah’s rivalry is ice-cold and entertaining as hell. It’s also just one piece of Nemesis’s radiant and textured mosaic, which arranges homage and archetype into something scorchingly original.”

Ariana Guerra as Yvette Cruz, Domenick Lombardozzi as Dave Cerullo in episode 105 of Nemesis© Saeed Adyani/Netflix
Ariana Guerra as Yvette Cruz, Domenick Lombardozzi as Dave Cerullo

Decider added: “What Kemp and Marole have managed to do is infuse the age-old plot with compelling characters, thanks to good casting and an emphasis on character depth.”

What have viewers said about Nemesis?

While critics’ reactions have been largely positive, the series has left some viewers divided and currently holds a 42 per cent audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

“Definitely worth the watch. Kept me entertained every episode. Can’t wait for season two!” wrote one viewer, while another said: “I am so engrossed in this series! I hope there are more! The characters and actors, the dialogue, and surprises kept me on the edge! I love this! We need more.”

Cedric Joe as Noah Stiles, Matthew Law as Isiah Stiles in episode 108 of Nemesis© SAEED ADYANI/NETFLIX
Cedric Joe as Noah Stiles, Matthew Law as Isiah Stiles

A third added: “Super fun ride! Started the show with pretty high expectations (Power!) and was NOT disappointed. I really got pulled in and ended up bingeing the whole thing. Can’t wait for Season Two!!”

However, others were less impressed, with one viewer writing: “This show mistakes familiarity for originality, and the result is a tedious, forgettable series that never justifies its runtime.”

Another added: “Could have been much better. Multiple cliffhangers were a bold assumption for a second season.”

What is Nemesis about?

The cat-and-mouse crime drama follows two men on either side of the law: Detective Isaiah Stiles and heist mastermind Coltrane Wilder.

Jeff Pierre as Malik © Saeed Adyani/Netflix
Jeff Pierre as Malik

The synopsis reads: “What starts as a subversion of the heist genre, amped by thrilling life-or-death stakes, family dynamics, and explosive action, becomes an exploration of what drives us, sustains us, and ultimately destroys us.”

All eight episodes of Nemesis are available to watch on Netflix.