11.22.63 (TV Mini Series 2016) Poster

(2016)

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7/10
Wasn't what it started out to be
ejanereed5 April 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Started out with an excellent premise and was set up to be a truly exceptional piece of Television....sets looked great ...acting pretty good...script was alright...but that storyline of what would happen if Kennedy had lived?...now that was a powerful story to be told. For the first few episodes it seemed that was the way it was going...then It changed into a love story and the Kennedy narrative became a side issue....don't get me wrong it still hurtled along at a right old pace and was still very watchable but the main premise was lost...no more so that after Jakes mission was completed and he returned to the present to find a wasteland of some kind of post apocalyptic wilderness...of which we spent 5 minutes learning or not as the case may be of what went so wrong...surely that was worth an episode in it's own right?....the immediate after affect of the shooting too was hurried and not well thought through with the phone call from JFK being a bit too easy and contrived considering there were so many questions left unanswered etc Overall ...a very watchable piece of TV...the ending was lovely...but not what I had expected from how it all started...and that's my only beef with it...I wanted to see a world where Kennedy had lived...and didn't
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9/10
It really made me think, what if........
jesperjensen-113655 April 2016
Jake Epping, a high school teacher, travels back in time by a time portal, revealed to him from his friend, Cafe owner Al Templeton, the portal are in the cafe backroom closet, and makes it possible to time travel, but only from the present day and back to the 1960s — specifically, October 21st. Dying of cancer, Al asks Jake to travel back to the 1960s and prevent the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Time travel stories can be a tricky thing, but 11.22.63 sets up the rules clearly and immediately. By the end of the opening episode, viewers should be fairly well acquainted with what Jake needs to do, why Al can't do it anymore, and the steps needed to get there. It all sounds completely ridiculous ("go back in time and stop the assassination of JFK!"), but 11.22.63 finds the right balance in Jake between disbelief and an earnest desire to try it anyway. The time travel isn't the mystery — not yet. Instead, the show pivots immediately into a glossy 1960s thriller, peppered with some of King's trademark horror.

I only bad thing to say about this series are that I want more I did not want it to end, it is simply a fantastic series.
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9/10
Super Interesting and Must Watch !!
modironak18 February 2016
It has been a long time I have seen James Franco look so promising in a role. Last time when I saw him so good was in 127 Hours. He has done complete justice to the character in the premiere of this show and seems to be in his comfort zone.

As for the show, it does not waste any time to get into action. Franco plays role of Jake Epping, a High School Teacher, who unwillingly has to take up the task of traveling to the past and avoid assassination of JFK. Show is fast paced and keeps you engrossed all the time. You just keep wondering how the story will unfold and will Jake be able to prevent the assassination.

For the premiere, you do not see much of the acting of others as it revolves only around Franco and Cooper. But they both take you to a ride which should not end. Episode was 80mins long but I did not realize when the time flew by. Direction and screenplay is of high standards along with story which is very well thought of.

I personally recommend you to watch the show and guarantee that you will not be disappointed.
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10/10
An award-winning one-season series!
cjonesas7 January 2020
Now that's a series with superb acting on top of a very original story and script!

The intricacies are very well woven and as soon as the first 15 minutes, viewers are immersed in its world. The script does not disappoint a bit and the mood is awesomely and believably set with the bright cinematography.

The above being said, one of the decisive weight in its favor and deserved success is the presence and acting of Sarah Gadon, whose mesmerizing beauty and dazzling smile shine out and utmostly captivate.

A somewhat underrated and little known limited series, which comes highly recommended and leaves its viewers satisfied and in awe.
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10/10
You shouldn't be here...
parsagolzade4 October 2021
Wow. I never thought i could enjoy this TV show very much. The cast were perfect and believe me, last episode will touch your heart.
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10/10
Well Done on Every Level
hewilson2-72-7968684 April 2016
It would be difficult to review 11.22.63 without spoiling it at every turn, so I won't. Instead, let me just say then that it has an excellent pedigree - a Stephen King novel - is well written and well acted. I'm a crusty oldish (emphasis on ish) curmudgeon and an amateur writer myself who thinks he has seen everything and is beyond every surprise and every tear jerk. Well, I was wrong. Once my teenage son suggested it to me, this series grabbed me by the throat, first minute, and never let go. Every cliché applies including "riveting" and "edge of seat." The bottom line though is that it is interesting, exciting and engrossing. Watch it. Now.
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8/10
I enjoyed this, but...
wethepeople-6925226 September 2018
Warning: Spoilers
In the book Jake has to reset several times. This series could have gone on a lot longer with each rest being a season.
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6/10
More romantic drama than sci-fi thriller
ten-thousand-marbles26 December 2021
I expected a little more with Stephen King and JJ Abrams being involved, but this adaptation just didn't wow me. It's a decent story and is fairly watchable, but I anticipated things to have a little more punch. The story lags in spots and gets a little too wrapped up in the personal drama of the characters. Had it delivered more on the sci-fi/time travel and political thriller themes, it would have had the muscle needed to make it a great production.
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10/10
All I can say is WOW.
redwingsm1 March 2016
Stephen King is one of my favorite authors, however his movies and TV stints have left a lot to be desired with a few exceptions (Shawshank, Green Mile). I have to say, this is his best work yet, and it's not even a movie. I get to enjoy this for a while to come and am very excited to do so.

11.22.63 is about a man who has time traveled to the 60's. And what would you do if you could time travel to the 60's? Well save JFK of course! I won't go into any detail as you have to watch it yourself.

The acting, production, direction, scenery, everything is absolutely perfect. It is one of the few shows I could not find one single flaw in, and I'm 3 episodes in!

If you have a chance, see this gem, you will be pleased.

10/10
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6/10
Missing The Best Part of a Great Story
Smeagolisashe19 March 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Stephen King is such an amazing writer but I have yet to watch a production that he is involved in that isn't extremely disappointing. It's almost as if he can't see what makes his stories so wonderful. One of the best parts of this story was the character having to go back to the future to reset. I understand this couldn't occur nearly as much as it did in the book but Jake never resets. In my opinion resetting was a crucial part of the story. Also so little attention was paid to the details. They had great sets but almost every single car was perfectly restored.

Lastly I love James Franco but his dramatic acting leaves so much to be desired. Without the excellent supporting cast the series, in my opinion, would be unwatchable.
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9/10
When Franco Shaves His Goatee, the Show Finds its Flow.
zacharyogoode16 February 2016
I am a fan of the book 11.22.63, and I was pretty excited to hear about an adaptation being made into a mini-series. My excitement only continued to grow when I learned that JJ Abrams and James Franco were attached. That being said, when I sat down to watch it, I had some high hopes going in. At first, my hopes were kind of dwindled. Upon starting the show, I thought that maybe Franco was not the best choice to play Jake Epping. As I continued watching, I noticed that it wasn't Franco, but rather that the show itself felt rushed during the beginning. However, to my viewing pleasure, once Franco totally commits to going back to the 60s (and he shaves that ridiculous goatee) the show really starts to come together. I guess the writers were just not as focused on the beginning of the show because it is such a good turnaround when he gets into the 60s (the beginning is not awful, just not great like the latter half). Also, the show does not follow the book 100% which is fine by me. I like when shows/movies try to create there own ideas, but still stay true to the basics of the book. Without spoiling the show for anyone, I believe 11.22.63 is going to be a great show when it is all said and done. Besides the beginning, Franco does a fantastic job as Epping as he showcases his dramatic (with comedy thrown in) work by dealing with the emotions of a present day guy traveling back to the 60s. Franco was the right choice for Epping! Overall, the show kept me thoroughly entertained for an hour and twenty minutes. So, if you can sit through about 10 minutes of a rushed plot, then I would definitely recommend giving this show a shot. King, Abrams, and Franco... How could it go wrong?!
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7/10
I liked it, don't regret it... can't help feeling it coulda been a lot better.
wildblueyonder14 March 2018
It certainly could have been a lot shorter - it definitely drags along there in the middle, and I liked the ending... but again it really didn't do nearly what it could have, IMO.

Franco's character is a big problem with the series. I didn't read the book so I'm not sure if he's supposed to be this kinda part dimwit part dickhead but that's really how it played... for me.

In retrospect I guess maybe 7 is a bit high, but I did like the ending. To be honest I mostly had it on in the background but I feel like if I'd payed closer attention I'd have been more disappointed.

A really thourough look into the Kennedy assassination would have to be a whole mini-series, and while some of that is approached in this series it is mostly window dressing to move the plot along - it would have been more interesting to have it be front and center and ask some of the really tough questions - which it fails to do....

Still, it was entertaining, I'd give it a 6.5 rounded up to 7...
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5/10
The center question of motivation is never satisfied
solitudeape3 May 2022
There are so many good things about this limited series. But, episode after episode I never felt that the audience is given a satisfying explanation about why Jake actually pursues the mission of changing the past. There is nothing urgent nor personal so I only see him doing what he does because the script calls him to.
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9/10
Amazing, I didn't want it to end
mariamsholaja15 January 2018
A really wonderful series, I loved every minute of it. When I read the plot I was scared I would get confused, but it was just perfect. I wish it wasn't just a mini series
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10/10
True to the Book, Very Promising
Pickwick1216 February 2016
James Franco exercises his full acting range in this adaptation of Stephen King's taut, time-travel thriller. Early on, it's very true to the plot, style, and tone of King's book, so fans of the novel should be pleased if it continues in the same way. At the same time, those unfamiliar with the book are thrown into an engaging world with its own quirks and rules. Franco navigates moments of surprising pathos and surprising humor with ease, pulling the viewer into Epping's experiences and showing us his thoughts and feelings, even when dialogue is sparse.

11.22.63 is intelligent, thoughtful television that belongs in the current streamed-TV and specialized-content landscape that contains shows like The Man in the High Castle, Fargo, and the (dearly-departed) Hannibal. It's not an easy show to watch when you're half asleep or cleaning the house. If you're willing to give it your full attention, however, it's more than worth the time.
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9/10
The Show of the Year
chancecarnahan4 April 2016
Technical Rating

Plot and Story: 33/35 Cinematography: 21/25 All Editing: 10/15 Acting: 13/15 Script: 6/7 Musical Score and Soundtrack: 3/3

Total: 86/100

I'm not usually the type to keep up with a television series week to week, but after watching the first episode of 11.22.63, I was absolutely hooked. The one season, Hulu mini-series drops a big "what if" in the premiere, and then proceeds to answer it in the remaining seven episodes. "If you could alter the outcome of one major event in history, which would it be?"

Now, 11.22.63 travels in a much more narrow direction, sending Jake Epping (James Franco) to the year 1960 with one goal in mind, to prevent the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. History books tell us that Lee Harvey Oswald was responsible for his death, but nobody is certain whether Oswald was acting alone, or if he is even the one who pulled the trigger. Stephen King, whose novel the show is adapted from, puts this historical hypothesis into question, while bringing to light other theories about what really happened on that day.

Perfectly cast and cleverly directed, 11.22.63 is the show of the year, and it would be getting the true attention that it deserves if it weren't for Hulu's monopoly on its release. Mooch off your friend, use your dad's credit card, or do whatever else you can to get access to a Hulu Plus account, because this series is worth all the effort.

Technically speaking, the show is brilliant. If Stephen King's byline isn't enough to sell you, J.J. Abrams, producer and writer of the highest grossing film of 2015, (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) made the whole thing happen. In addition, nearly every episode is directed by a different critically acclaimed director, making each week even more unique and exciting. Franco even directed one episode himself, continuing to show how he very well may be "the most interesting man in the world" (read his feature in Rolling Stone if you're not convinced).

Franco is joined on-screen by Canadian actress and rising star Sarah Gadon (Sadie Dunhill) as Jake Epping's love interest, whom I've been a huge fan of since seeing her in Enemy (2013), one of my all-time favorite movies that I probably talk about way too much. Gadon plays her role perfectly, showcasing a peachy Southern accent that could make any guy fall in love with her. Matched with a script that leaves a lasting impression on you, Franco and Gadon make the 60s look sublime, except for the racism, medical practices, phone booth struggles, and many other time-travel challenges that the show comments on as well.

Regarding my specific movie preferences, I'm a sucker for thoughtful films with beautiful women and well-dressed gentlemen, so 11.22.63 takes the cake and lands a spot among The Newsroom, House of Cards, True Detective, and Entourage as what I consider one of my favorite television shows of all time. My pick for the best of the series is episode 3, but nothing takes your breath away quite like the finale. Go check it out before I spoil it for you. I'd love to have someone else to discuss it with.
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8/10
Great story
ocool18027 February 2022
Damn good miniseries. The story is very intriguing had you hooked on the first episode. The worst thing about it is James Franco. Not the character just the actor but he did a pretty good job. Just not a fan of him. I liked the book but the mini series was great. It give me a different outlook on the book. If you're looking for a good storyline interesting characters this is the miniseries you would like to watch.
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6/10
Great Concept Held Back By One Key Casting Decision
zkonedog25 February 2017
Warning: Spoilers
The novel 11/22/63 was one of the greatest books I have ever read, from my favorite author of all-time. Suffice it to say that this miniseries had a lot to live up to for me. While I generally enjoyed the series, it was severely hampered by one key mistake from the get-go: casting James Franco as the main lead.

For a basic plot summary, 11.22.63 tells the story of Jake Epping (James Franco), an adult education teacher who discovers that his friend, Al Templeton (Chris Cooper), just happens to own a diner that sits atop a sort of temporal hot spot (dubbed the "Rabbit Hole"). Basically, every time a person enters a certain closet in the diner, they emerge out the back at the same exact point in 1960. Long story short, Al gives Jake a mission: stick around in the past long enough to prevent President John F. Kennedy from being assassinated, which would presumably lead to a better future for all involved. After some experimenting in the past involving a fellow school co-worker, Harry Dunning (Leon Rippy), Jake decides to go through with the plot, staking out the house of the infamous Lee Harvey Oswald (Daniel Webber), mother Marguerite (Cherry Jones), and wife Marina (Lucy Fry) in order to find out if Oswald acted alone or was under the handling of George de Mohrenschildt (Jonny Coyne). Of course, three years is a long time to wait, so along the way Jake picks up some company in young friend Bill (George MacKay) and the enchanting Sadie Dunhill (Sarah Gadon), whom he meets at the high school where his past identity comes to roost while waiting for that fateful 11/22/63.

Let's get the heart of the matter of why I can only give this three stars: James Franco is terrible for this role. Nothing against the guy personally, but his style just doesn't play in this type of story. In order for viewers to completely buy into the transformation that takes place over the time that Epping resides in the past, we need to have someone who can convey that emotion, and Franco doesn't live up to the billing. This is apparent in every single episode of the show, sadly. Franco is an actor who "plays things too cool", never getting too high or low in a story that needs that kind of raw emotional to really connect on a visceral level. His presence automatically knocks one star off this series regardless of how well the rest of it does.

As far as critiquing the story and other acting, that is a very tough thing for me to do having already read the superb novel. As such, I was readily aware of the "things I was missing", so to speak. This version of the story isn't quite as large in scope as the novel (though perhaps that is to be expected from just eight episodes made out of a 1,000+ page book), but it does cover the really important stuff. However, I really do feel that it could have incorporated a few more of the book's more interesting side-concepts and been even the richer for it.

Simply put, while the first few and last few episodes of 11.22.63 were dynamite, I felt that the middle ones dragged a bit, whereas I never remember feeling that while reading the book. I honestly think, though, that this could again have a lot to do with the fact that Franco never really "sold" any of the scenes where Jake is supposed to be building a relationship with Sadie (who Gadon makes into easily the most interesting and vibrant character of the whole shebang).

So, I know I am biased because of my love for the book and for all things Stephen King, but to me this was just an "okay" series that could have been much more with a better lead casting choice and (potentially) less drag in the middle. I'm interested to hear, though, what others who have no previous experience with the book have to say about things. I can't say I am disappointed in 11.22.63 (although I almost can), but it certainly didn't blow me away, either.
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9/10
Superb show, intriguing and beguiling with massive potential.
JohnLamberio3 March 2016
I've rarely left reviews for TV shows, but this has me hooked with it's premise. The ability to change history, for the better. But each time you go back, history resets itself to the original timeline. And regardless of how long you stay in the past, when you come back...only 2 minutes will have passed in the present! Saving John F. Kennedy is the primary motive for "Mr Amberson" (Played impeccably by Franco). Yet will it result in a better world should he succeed? Massive questions and plenty of unpredictability. Franco is beset by a number of moral dilemma's, trying to make sense of doing a bad acts which will benefit the greater good. But the moment he comes close to changing the future, time itself pushes back in emphatic fashion.

Stephen King's fingerprints are all over this, a good thing. The usual King cliché's of it being set in Maine, centred around a divorcée/loner/Average Joe and some rather humorous dialogue apply, but only for a while as there is an underlying sense of unknown that draws the viewer in.

My fear with this series is that it will only be a 1 season run, because the amount of narrative, plot and sheer depth of potential needs to be exploited fully over a number of seasons. But from the early going, 9.5/10.
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6/10
Good show, better book.
patrickschenk1318 August 2018
Watched the show, then read the book and rewatched. At first I thought it was awesome, so I decided to read the book. Now that I've read the book and rewatched the first episode, it's crazy to see how much is changed. To get full effect of this story, definitely read the book. Still a fun show but the whole story is almost backwards
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9/10
Unforgettable
lakeshore-9871126 October 2020
Its hard to do a movie or series about time travel and alternate realities so that we dont say thats silly or not possible and turn it off. Stephen like all of us plays what ifs In his mind and has translated it to book and tv series to perfection. The Kennedy assassination was a world wide event that every person knew about and as a young teenager it blasted my mind and what i was doing when i heard about it is the clearest memory i have to this day. ,Stephen has written this book to give us a fabulous what if. james Franco is terrific and everyone else is also totally invested in their parts. Its a great mini series that kept me involved start to finish. A great binge watch.
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7/10
A good concept, but rushed.
Derache1 December 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I liked this show, I have yet to read the book, but the concept here was very good. However the whole concept seemed almost pointless as jake only resets once and does not fail in saving the president. Some scenes in the series seemed rather stretched out and didn't flow properly in the film, however the film itself wasn't bad nor amazing. Despite this being an original film, it somehow just felt like it was a copy of other films, and the ending was were the cliches manifested the most. It was a decent film, not amazing though.
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1/10
"There is no way I'd ever be able to do it without you"
krbodkin20 December 2019
Warning: Spoilers
When I heard that line it was the last straw. The entire book was a solo operation. He didn't partner up with some dingbat right out of the gate. So many things were changed from the book for absolutely no reason other than to inject more BS drama where there wasn't any before.

This series had the potential to be the best thing King had been involved in to this date. Instead they ruined it.
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10/10
Great series
malekelhousseny1 February 2021
That's the best thing i have ever seen Everyone was amazing and of course the wonderful one James Franco ,and the stunning actor Sarah Gadon
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9/10
Wow
ana-1430421 January 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This is very awesome show it's not 8,2 it Deserves more
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