Critic Reviews

“Perry Mason” perfectly and methodically lays out a compelling and expanding mystery (which is, after all, the main attraction in a genre story), while giving remarkable shape to characters whose stories will resonate with a modern audience. ... Not a drop of talent is wasted here.

HBO’s reboot somehow feels vitally current, with richly drawn characters, gorgeous visuals, a genuinely compelling central mystery and another terrific lead performance from star Matthew Rhys.

The experimentation that Jones and Fitzgerald have done here shows their love for the original but also their desire for expansion and their trust that the solidity of the foundation could hold up a story with more layers. Beyond that, it could be just downright entertaining, too.

By about episode 3 it hits its stride, and you realize that as splashy as the murder mystery hook might be, it is not the plot that is the puzzle here, it is the people. There is a jigsaw-player’s pleasure in watching how their scattered, frayed edges will eventually fit together, how they will slowly reconfigure across the eight episodes into a stable new status quo. That of course relies on exceptional performances and “Perry Mason” delivers right across the cast.

Every corner of this season is more fleshed out, and the separate knotty threads eventually come together satisfyingly.

A more realistic and sordidly satisfying [Perry Mason]. ... Rhys is a marvelous Perry. [22 Jun - 5 Jul 2020, p.6]

After three long pandemic years, the brilliant Matthew Rhys returns to his series role as a legal eagle now embroiled in a haunting and hypnotic 1930s plot that resembles the film noir classic Chinatown. Yup, it’s that good. Perry, it's great to have you back where you belong.

The show is primed to improve next year. “Perry Mason” is an exquisitely rendered crime noir made for people who appreciate the genre — or simply people who appreciate thoughtful, detailed, and purposeful storytelling in general.

Despite a slow start, “Perry Mason” is an easy series to become engrossed in. Incredible production design and a first-rate cast will make you feel like you’re in the middle of the action.

When we see where Mason ends up and how he must contemplate this truth alone, it almost feels like Season 2's finale could be a series ender. One hopes it isn’t, as Perry Mason has really found its footing, but it still provides a poetic sense of closure all the same.