Netflix releases a plethora of series each week, making it difficult for every new release to become a hit. Unlike a competitor like HBO, which follows a more boutique and curated approach to its content, Netflix produces a vast amount of content. Two of its most recent releases, Obsession and Florida Man, have received negative feedback from reviewers. Obsession, a four-part limited series based on the novella Damage, has received poor ratings from both critics and fans alike, with a Rotten Tomatoes score of 43% and 21%, respectively. One critic criticized the show’s overuse of shlock, foreboding music, and depressing scenes of intimacy.
Florida Man, a crime drama produced by Jason Bateman’s production company, has received mixed reviews. While it has a 0% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, it has an 80% audience score, based on more than 50 users. The show’s title plays on the real-world meme and follows struggling ex-cop Mike Valentine, who is a gambling addict and owes money to a Philly mobster. It is interesting to note that both of these shows have made it into the US Top 10 as of Sunday. Obsession is ranked #6, while Florida Man is #2, just behind Beef.
This suggests that the “Top 10 TV Shows in the US Today” on the Netflix app is more a measure of newness than anything else. Viewers often give new shows a try when they appear on the app, but they do not always go on to receive positive reviews or ratings. It is worth noting that the 0% rating for Florida Man is based on only five critics’ takes at the moment, while the audience score is based on more than 50 users.
