The Slap (2015) User Reviews

Interesting premise - some episodes are good some not so

[phd_travel · 5/10 · 14 March 2015]

At a birthday party a hot tempered guy slaps someone else's kid. The family and friends involved line up on different sides as the incident snowballs. The kid was tearing up flowers and swinging his bat around dangerously. His parents didn't really keep him in check. So the questions are did he deserve to be slapped at all and if so by someone other than his parents? It's interesting because there are some out of control kids these days - so what is the proper way to deal with them and who is going to do it if the parents do not. Is physical discipline right or wrong? Each episode is from a different character's POV and has a different feel. So it depends whether you find that week's character interesting. Don't really care for Hector's (Peter Sarsgaard) character. Seems a bit slimy and unlikeable. Anouk (Uma Thurman) as a single friend was more interesting. So was Manolis (Brian Cox) the patriarch. Harry (Zachary Quinto) as the A type slapper was quite interesting too and he is quite convincing in his role. The baby sitter Connie was a bit of a drag.

Overall worth a watch to see how it pans out by there are some not so good episodes that may cause you to lose interest.

A compelling guidebook to being a better person

[johnnymike91 · 7/10 · 24 February 2015]

While the title (and premise) of the series do come off as comical, The Slap is daring to take Network TV viewers to a place where we question our choices and our way of thinking. One small decision can spiral into a massive event that drastically changes everyone's lives around us. We have no idea what personal issues another person may be dealing with, or how we may affect them.

What each episode of this compelling miniseries forces us to do is confront a different controversial issue in today's society, and decide what we believe is right. Some people may argue that these characters are cliché and melodramatic. But the truth is, we all know people exactly like them, and we are guaranteed to confront some of these issues within our own lives. When these events occur, there's no predicting how another person will behave. The Slap is a guidebook to show how we should react, when others don't know how. We need to set the example, to prevent the disasters which happen in this series.

Society still has a long way to go. But by watching this series, we may gain some insight into being better people and caring neighbors.

This series may not have been as compelling or dramatic as the original, but it did bring a fresh take on an event that brought very different outcomes.

A great argument for never marrying. Or having kids. Ever.

[intenselan-145-930862 · 6/10 · 28 March 2015]

Okay, is it me, or is everyone in there committing adultery on everyone else?! Seriously, no married person on here (with the exception of the Greek parents, and since there's still an episode left as of my review, that's still debatable) can keep it in their pants! Hector, Aisha, Connie, Harry, Gary, the lawyer, and I'm sure that I'm missing someone - good God almighty! Marriage vows get trampled on like they're nothing, and if people aren't slapping, they're rutting like zebras!! Even Aisha, when Hector told her he kissed an underage babysitter (hello?! Statutory rape anyone?!?), she calls it a "petty" offense and that he shouldn't have told her...never mind she had just gotten done getting busy in the hotel room with a colleague.

As for the slap itself, Rosie is using her kid to fill emotional needs and it's really sick. She's mainlining alcohol and breastfeeding her 5-year old?? Ew. No wonder he's a holy terror. I was already cringing as she was reading a book to the kid and all cuddling with him and such...I thought she was going to make out with the kid! And who lets her husband drive drunk everywhere?

Many people should get the taste slapped out of their mouths for wrecking this show, but I give it a 5 because I actually *do* want to see what happens next, so the 5 is for the car-wreck-rubberneck effect it's having on me.

As for Hugo getting slapped, I don't believe in slapping a kid. Harry should have slapped the parents instead, over and over again. They couldn't be bothered to stop him from almost knocking another kid's teeth out with a bat, but boy did they run when the kid got slapped for kicking Harry in the shin.

On second thought, I'll give this a 6, not a 5. In honor of Mr. Spock's anointed new-generation actor. Zachary Quinto is outstanding. His portrayal of Harry actually had me flinching when he rounded on his wife.

the most blaring misstep I've seen on this show is...

[TonyStinkmetal · 20 February 2015]

the character of Rosie's super-fake woykin' class new yawk accent. she is obviously laying it on very thick. it sounds ridiculously fake. is she British or something?

the multi-ethnic mix of characters is fine. New York is like that.

but that level of entitlement from the stay-at-home wife of an artist only comes with years of higher education and privilege. a working-class New York mother would have smacked her own kid on the ass and said, "play nice!" that would have been the end of it.

speaking of accents we get it, Aisha is from england. her character can stop saying "bloody and petrol and knickers". we get it.

haven't watched the third episode yet. running out of patience for this.

also, who the hell is the narrator? why is there a narrator?

The down and up of it:

[purchasing-32 · 7/10 · 27 February 2015]

Honestly, I was horribly turned off by the hyped up advertising. The first episode was horrible. It seems to be the current trend to pump up and try to trigger reactions vs. produce quality art for first episodes and beginning and ending season episodes. I've learned to ignore what I call the Stupid Factor of Studio Pandering.

Why the 7? Because each progressive episodes is improving to a quality worth taking the time for. In particular, Uma Thurman's episode Anouk while predictable, IMO was satisfying; And I am enjoying the treatment and evolution of this mini-series. Not to mention I'm enjoying the highlighting of each of these major actors chops!

The two-dimensional treatment of the first episode is fraying into something more... But I don't know if it will be enough.

Amazing how two versions of the same story change perception.

[lioricsilver · 10/10 · 4 June 2020]

When I watched the Australian version, I was rooting for Harry. But once the court trial is over, had issues with Harry. But still in overall saw him as a good person. But in the US version, Harry is portrayed as a prick from the very start. And how the story revealed past events before the court trial, some how makes Harry seem to be the bad person in this.

It's just amazing how the directors can do stuff like this. Very interesting. If you watch one version, do watch the other to see this effect

It's a bit more ;) ... comparing it to the Australian version of the series.

[Aktham_Tashtush · 7/10 · 28 March 2015]

So i remember watching the Australian version of the show in 2011 and it was fine then ,, this US version though has got a more regularity and the story is a bit more organized.

8 episodes with the same titles as the original and it would seem the same but unlike the US version the Australian just gave a whole story about each character with missing the connections or sometimes with no sense at all ,, seems like after 4 years they'v become more experienced .

Anyway,, so the Idea of a child slapping and in my perspective a child spoiling and in between that there's a whole relationships drama is really well put and nice to be brought up on TV like this.

The story of the slap ended fast in the Australian version i think in the 5th or 4th episode so here its like they're trying to be more thorough and built up a whole season on the trial and the slap story and i think one more season will bring up the other stories that have been mentioned in the AU version.

The cast is good,, i really liked casting Zachary Quinto he's awesome and they also brought Melissa George as "Rosie" and funny she was also in the Aus version as rosie so here she made it even better ;)

Overall the story is nice,, the plot is complex somehow many ideas branches out of it ,, i think it needs more than 8 episode but if it would be really the same story i know i think probably a second season should wrap it up perfectly unless they change something about the story of Richie to make it simpler... who knows ;)

Casting and Directing are a total letdown ... AU version is much much better. (Watch 1st episode of each!)

[rutledge3512 · 4/10 · 14 February 2015]

Having just watched the Australian version of "The Slap," I was interested in seeing how the US version would compare. It was quite a disappointment.

The Australian version was cast much better & key story elements were developed much better as well (for example the tension and chaos building up to the slap was perfect in the Au version, but completely unbelievable in the US version).

Regarding Casting: Jonathan LaPaglia, who plays Hector in the Au version is a much better fit. Also Alex Dimitriades as Hector's Cousin Harry in the Au version is a much better fit as the sort of short tempered hot- head.

There are many great actors in the US version- but they are unfortunately either cast in the wrong role (in a few cases) or do not work for this series at all (most cases). Thomas Sadoski is a talented actor, but is an example of miscasting. He could have been a decent fit as Hector, but not the correct fit for the role of Gary. Peter Sarsgaard and Zachary Quinto are also talented actors, but do not work for this series at all.

I guess I have to also question the directing. The entire initial episode was completely rushed, disjointed, and simply not believable. (Case in point- the tension between Quinto & Sarsgaard seemed almost joking rather than heated). I think both are good actors, so the problem is likely one that falls to casting or directing?

There are many other problems I could mention but suffice it to say- If you are at all interested in this series, skip the US version and watch the AU version..... Or at the very least, watch the first episode of each and see if you agree (It will only take 1 episode of each to make up your mind).

Needed a slap!

[MooniePinkslip · 9/10 · 14 February 2015]

The original Australian version of this series was brilliant. It worked in Australia, too, as most Aussies *would* slap that child---a horrid, spoiled, undisciplined little brat whose parents---most especially the idiot mother---needed a slap more than the child. But I'm not sure how America will react: will be interesting to watch, as the country were at the forefront of the "never slap a child" nonsense. The mixture of personalities and reactions in the series is good, but while initially you want to see particular characters dealt with harshly, as the stories unfold you see their more vulnerable sides and find yourself supporting them. Only exceptional direction and writing can do that, and this has both. The Aussie series had brilliant actors too, particularly the mother played by Melissa George in both the Aussie series and this one. She really did capture the self-righteous mother routine.

a better rendition of the book

[nim-rod77 · 7/10 · 4 January 2021]

The australian series is much worse.. both acted and directed .. also respecting the book.

the values and cultural conflict is much better articulated + represented. australian was diluted and incoherent.

An Entire Show of Unlikeable Characters

[Narce · 3/10 · 17 February 2015]

The brattily misbehaving child that gets slapped is only the tip of the iceberg in this plethora of inconsiderate, rude, prejudiced and generally unlikeable people.

• The main character is infatuated by his (too young to legally have a beer) baby sitter, who compounds the problem by showing up to his birthday party - an inappropriate choice in an even more inappropriate relationship.

• The mother who brings piles of food and comments on how the Jews do it (Dessert? Something in boxes at any rate) so much better, and who converses with her family members in Greek in front of everyone.

• The friends who raise this abominable child and seem to feel that allowing him to do anything he wants is appropriate lest they stifle his self-expression.

• The cousin who shows up in a Land Rover and is worried about it being "jacked" in this neighbourhood.

There are other, more peripheral characters that I haven't yet come to know in any depth, but somehow I doubt that to know them will lead me to love them.

A show that lets you think for yourself

[gabrielacanchola · 10/10 · 25 February 2015]

I am glad to finally find a show that lets you think for yourself, challenging the lazy depiction of good guy vs. bad guy that the media relies on for ratings. I love how none of the characters are completely good or completely bad, completely wrong or completely right. They simply are.

When a child gets slapped, you both have reason to applaud the man for doing what I know I've wanted to do many a times to an unruly, undisciplined child at the grocery store and to condemn him - he obviously does have anger issues. While he is clearly wrong, he is in many ways, completely right.

I think this show will bring out our preconceived biases. It will be easy to jump to conclusions and make assumptions about the characters based on our own internal values. You will find yourself rooting for the character you want to believe in most, and then disappointed in them - challenging those little biases and beliefs we love to cling to.

Most shows tell you who is good and bad, forcing you to accept their notion of right and wrong. But, what if life is more complicated, more messy and simply not black and white?

This show is for the intellectual, I think. Those who find comfort in the bad guy just being the bad guy and the good guy just being the good guy... this show will only leave you confused and uncomfortable. If you like to hear every side of an issue - and are open to experiencing other perspectives than your own - you will find this show wildly engaging.

Also, while a bit dramatic, the acting is suburb.

Yes apt title

[gibbs-18172 · 2/10 · 8 November 2019]

I'm halfway through the 1st episode and I want to slap most of the cast, the director, producer, writer, head of channel 4 and most of my own family.

Proper dog crap

I like what I see so far...I will keep watching

[jwebert · 9/10 · 19 February 2015]

First and foremost I have to say that I am so relieved and thrilled to see a show thats not about the Police/Detectives and/or Doctors! Enough already; those types of shows are so boring... I like the idea of this show and I also like the controversy it brings. This type of subject is so personal and a hot-topic issue for so many people. I can see both sides. I don't have kids, I have dogs and I wouldn't let a anyone hit or kick them on the other hand if one of my dogs bit someone I would fully expect them to protect themselves. So thats the struggle and I think it will be fun to watch this cast navigate this and take sides. Both my husband and I enjoyed the first episode and will be watching the second episode tonight. I have high hopes for this show and again I can't stress enough...thank you writes/producers/actors for coming up with a fresh idea and one that is controversial.

God Awful

[patriot72000-599-109724 · 1/10 · 19 February 2015]

Awful. Over the top acting. You know what's coming next & made all the more annoying by the narrator who tries to narrate this fake "Ed-chu-ka-ted" accent. Don't know if he's trying to sound like Laurence Fishburn or the dude from the Waltons. Stinker is way to nice a term for this sophomoric TV slop. Watching your hair grow would be more entertaining. Can't believe this made it past the screener. Prime time TV has fallen far with this one. Waiting for the Vikings series to come on The History channel. Amazing how little know actors, excellent story lines & compelling plot is such a simple formula for success, compared to so called well know actors, which I couldn't have pointed to anything I'd seen except dude that played in the one bad show about cable network news.

I Loved "The Slap"

[jade-58434 · 10/10 · 21 June 2015]

I've read several of the reviews and definitely side with the positive ones. I enjoyed every episode, and was happy every week when a new episode came on. As for the content of the show, in my world, it's definitely wrong to go up and slap someones' child unless there's something totally insane going on, which was not the case in my opinion.

The characters were very strong and persuasive with great complexity. Although I could see the reason for the actual slap taking place, I also felt the slapper had abusive tendencies and an anger problem. At the same time the mother was way over the edge in her protectiveness. Interesting.

I knew from the beginning this was to be a mini series and that it would be about a controversial subject. I suspected it would give food for thought and it did just that. I like the mini-series/one season concept and hope this is the way of the future with TV drama. I enjoy the rich characters, interesting topics that explore the complexity of human behavior, and that don't go on forever and ever. Quality over quantity.

I never was a fan of the 'Friends' type sitcoms, or medical, or legal dramas, etc. This new short term intellectual concept is a very welcome change in my book, and I believe that it's attracting those actors, writers, and directors who have limited their work to feature films in the past. Excellent quality and a short term commitment will seem much more attractive and is sure to raise the quality of TV programming. Sounds like a win win to me. I hope the low ratings will not deter more like it!

I was bored out of my wits

[kasper-15 · 4/10 · 13 February 2015]

Yes, the cast is good, but the story is SO boring. In episode 1, you wait an hour for the climax of an adult slapping a misbehaving six- year old brat! I read this was a best selling book -- maybe in written form, it was more interesting -- but based on the first episode, the American mini series won't be. The other family drama: mother in law bringing 30 cooked dishes to a birthday party for 20 people, disrespecting the wife's hostessing; an angry artist and his breastfeeding-in-public wife, who hates the "I love the 1%" Range Rover salesman; babysitter in love with hubby and aggressively pursuing him. Oy.

Disturbing story

[istlotaeveryman · 9/10 · 17 February 2015]

This plot is so disturbing that reviews are going to be as much about whether you agree with what the characters did than your opinion of the art itself. So let me start by saying obviously the writing, directing, and acting is superb to trigger such emotions in the viewer. But, now, on to my opinion of the slap itself. The boy swinging the bat was clearly mentally disturbed, quite possible autistic. Slapping a mentally disturbed child accomplishes nothing positive. There were a hundred ways to protect the other children without hitting anyone, including sucking it up, being the adult, and taking a blow yourself then grabbing the bat out of the kid's hands. But, ironically, the brute who slapped the kid did make the most cogent remark in the episode when he stated the obvious, which is that the disturbed kid's parents were unfit to raise a child. It was their job to defuse the situation instead of ignoring it until another adult had to step in for them. But, and I cannot emphasize this too much, all you reviewers who think slapping a mentally disturbed child is appropriate need to seriously seek psychiatric counseling.

Background noise for the elderly.

[steven_cady · 3/10 · 23 February 2015]

Seriously how is this even a TV show. I tried the first episode because of the all-star cast (Peter Sarsgaard, Thandie Newton, Zachary Quinto, Brian Cox, Uma Thurman, and Penn Badgley). When will I learn my lesson? My advice is to stay away unless you want something pointless and tasteless on your TV for some background noise.

Although there is SOME good such as hearing Victor Garber's voice as the narrator was a plus. Peter Sarsgaard puts an admirable attempt to make the character likable. Also it was good to see Makenzie Leigh again after seeing her time in Gotham end prematurely.

IMDb has it at a 5.7. That's a bit generous. 3/10 is my vote.

Great study of far left versus far right personalities

[sylvia-french · 8/10 · 7 March 2015]

I get that this is just a drama on USA, but it really strikes a chord with me. Spoilers ahead! The characters are fraught with flaws all- around, but what really resonated was the authoritarian Uncle and the hippie Mother. The interplay between the values-driven behaviors and perspectives is fascinating. It's the Left versus the Right in microcosm. Is it better to cooperate and be peaceful or to be competitive and to push boundaries? Which is better for the person, which is better for society. Fascinating.

I also enjoy the cinematography, the acting, and how the episodes are organized by the perspectives of each of the characters. It gives you insight into others perspectives. Their values. Why is one better or more right than the other?

Parenting at it's worst.

[j-peragine · 2/10 · 22 February 2015]

I gave it 2 stars as Peter S. is a great actor so as a fan it warranted 1 extra star. This is exactly what's wrong with far too many parents in these times, sadly, no discipline. I raised 2 kids, never had to hit either one, but neither ever swung a bat or kicked an adult. The show could be summed up in 1 thought, the dad should have come downstairs to stop his kid, not watched as the other guy did it. I had parents like this over once, kid out of control, no one got hit. The source was easy to see in watching the parents lax reaction to their bratty kids behavior. It all stems from this doctor Spock 'coddle your kids to death' mentality. The Today Show recently had a segment on how 20 somethings in the workplace crumble under any criticism from their bosses, we're raising a bunch of thin skinned kids that have a sense of entitlement no preceding generation in America has seen. So remember, parents who think being a friend is all that matters, you do your kids no favors.

Thanks for letting me vent, back to the show. OK, so now that the slap is over and being fought over on screen it begs the question, how do you make an entire series out of this? Seems this could have been a 10 minute show, point to the bad parents, end of show. That said I'd never hit someone else's kid, but if one kicked me in the shin I can't say I wouldn't smack his dad around right after for being such a bad disciplinarian. So I suppose they have no hopes for a season 2, as again I can't imagine how this story line goes beyond 2 episodes.

Very Compelling, Representative of Modern Parenting issues

[mhope-205-815467 · 8/10 · 14 March 2015]

I'm only half way through second episode and I'm in shock over Melissa George's character. She sits nursing a grown child who is obviously so ridiculously spoiled that virtually every thing he does is just darling in her eyes and he does no wrong. He is able to be rude and disruptive in addition to purposefully damaging the hosts property and his behavior is never corrected other than for her to shove her boob in his face and stroke his hair. One sick twisted mother there.

Everyone attending that birthday party wanted to slap the child. I would rather slap the parents, the mother for obvious reasons and her husband for blindly going along with anything she says. The mother has some very serious emotional problems that leave her raging irrationally herself at the very idea someone put his hands on her child. He needs some serious behavior adjusting and learning consequences of his actions. I would have so much sympathy for an educator getting stuck with such a child in her class. It would shake the child's world to the core to be in a situation where 2 dozen other children are loved by their parents and have just as much right to be there and participate as he does. There would be a meltdown on day one of preschool which would have Melissa George's character charging in, bra-less, ready to get freaky with her child again.

As for Harry, he could have gone in there on Valium and humbly offered apology and would have been met with the same disdain and "how dare you" attitude from Rosie and Gary because they have no intention of letting it go because they are out for blood from him.

There will be no winners in this series. And its all because of a spoiled rotten child being allowed or rather encouraged by his parents to be as bratty as he wishes because it gives them a chance to coddle and baby him, because they are sick and need to attend parenting classes.

Its not like me to jump on a soapbox but as soon as I saw a child with a mouth full of teeth sucking on the breast and turning away only to sneer and say something rude to an adult with no interception from either parent, my back was up right along with Harry's. I cannot believe there is a judge who would convict him of anything with regards to what occurred at the BBQ.

Awful

[scarlettimogen · 4/10 · 16 November 2018]

The acting in this apart from Peter S is horrendous especially Brian Cox with his appalling accent

Great Show

[jabandrade · 8/10 · 21 May 2016]

Great show , underestimated in the ratings, and perhaps by the rush of people. I think there are people who give rate without watch all the episodes. Real, nervous at times , intriguing in other, great actors, real-world characters, dedicated direction. A show that captivates you and puts you inside.Furthermore it has the wonderful Uma Thurman, one of the most beautiful actresses I've ever seen on this planet. But who really surprising is Zachary Quinto. A dynamo as the unstable Greek. But all cast is correct . I would give 7.5 but as don't have this option, I gave 8 . Watch without expectations. You'll be surprised. A pity that did not guarantee a 2nd season. I think people prefer to think little .

complete waste of time

[lynch-bobbiesue · 1/10 · 23 February 2015]

I can't even begin to state how horrible this show is. Pure trash. Disgusting premise, nauseating story line, and mental retardation are all this show encompass. The glorification of children no longer being taught common decency along with pansy parents who take zero responsibility in how their kids behave is a very real and current societal problem today. While I will not continue watching this series, I am left with wondering what the intended point of this show even is. It certainly isn't for comedic value. Maybe it's just propaganda for the looney-left in their inane crusade against morals, ethics, and just plain decency. Not to mention, the blatant adultery adds absolutely zero value to the already failing foundation. The writers of this hogwash should be ashamed of themselves.