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Devs

Reality is stranger than dreams.

2020Miniseries1 season8 episodes~51 min/epTV-MAMidcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

Young computer engineer Lily Chan investigates the secretive development division of her employer, a cutting-edge tech company based in San Francisco, which she believes is behind the murder of her boyfriend.

Your rating, lists and review

Where to watch

Where can I watch Devs?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Devs streaming on Hulu and to rent or buy on Prime Video.

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Highlights

What stands out about Devs?

Devs earns 5 badges, led by Visual feast and Crowd Pleaser.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood

Reception

Is Devs worth watching?

Devs' Midcredits score is the 76th percentile of all shows, from 60K ratings across 2 sources. 82% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

76th percentile

Better received than 76% of shows

75th percentile among Drama80th percentile among 2020s
Acclaim (how much people like it)70th
Approval (how many liked it)77th

Acclaim

Crowd Pleaser: Rating-distribution shape vs the catalog

How much people like it

75 /100

70th percentile of all shows

71st percentile among Drama74th percentile among 2020s

Rating distribution

Most people land high, with a thin tail of low scores from those it didn't reach.

Approval

How many liked it

82% liked it

77th percentile of all shows

74th percentile among Drama81st percentile among 2020s
82% rated it 7–1018% rated it 1–6

Reach

How many have seen it

96th percentile

60K ratings across platforms

95th percentile among Drama97th percentile among 2020s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 1% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

A slow, visually beautiful, philosophically ambitious sci-fi miniseries that is more about ideas than action.

Fans praised

  • intellectual sci-fi exploring determinism, free will, and simulation theory
  • haunting atmosphere driven by cinematography, set design, and eerie score
  • Nick Offerman's nuanced dramatic performance as Forest

Detractors panned

  • glacial pacing that stretches a thin plot across eight episodes
  • lead actress Sonoya Mizuno's flat, unemotional delivery
  • pretentious tone with shallow philosophical posturing

What stands out

Cinematography85

Stunning, every frame a painting; Kubrickian visual style

AtmosphereDivisive80

Eerie, ethereal, and immersive tone; critics call it moody or pretentious

OriginalityDivisive75

Fresh blend of quantum mechanics, determinism, and religious imagery

Sound and musicDivisive75

Haunting, ambient score by Barrow and Salisbury; divisive, some find it intrusive

Plot and storyDivisive65

Intriguing premise but divisive ending; some find deterministic logic unearned

ActingDivisive55

Nick Offerman and Alison Pill praised; Sonoya Mizuno widely criticized as wooden and monotone

CharactersDivisive40

Lily Chan seen as lacking depth and emotional range; Forest compelling but inconsistent

PacingDivisive25

Often described as glacial, ponderous, and padded to eight hours

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Men

Men scored it 40 points higher than women.

Critics vs users

Preferred by Critics

Critics scored it 19 points higher than users.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Under-30s vs over-30s 5 points apart
  • US vs non-US 6 points apart

Episodes

1 season

Miniseries · 2020 · 8 episodes · 6.9 average across 8 rated episodes

  • S1E1

    Episode 1

    Mar 5, 202056 minTMDB rating 7.2Season best
  • S1E2

    Episode 2

    Mar 5, 202050 minTMDB rating 6.7
  • S1E3

    Episode 3

    Mar 12, 202043 minTMDB rating 6.7
  • S1E4

    Episode 4

    Mar 19, 202045 minTMDB rating 6.9
  • S1E5

    Episode 5

    Mar 26, 202046 minTMDB rating 6.7
  • S1E6

    Episode 6

    Apr 2, 202051 minTMDB rating 6.8
  • S1E7

    Episode 7

    Apr 9, 202052 minTMDB rating 7.0
  • S1E8

    Episode 8

    Apr 16, 202050 minTMDB rating 6.8Finale

Watch experience

What is Devs like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Earnest, dark and intense — an even-paced watch that leaves you thinking.

Feelings

  • Tense
  • Contemplative
  • Dread

How it leaves you

  • Thought-provoking
  • Haunting

Themes

  • Purpose
  • Truth
  • Grief

What it asks of you

  • Even-paced
  • Full focus
  • Heavy
  • Ambiguous

Setting

  • Near future
  • Science fiction
  • Institutional
  • Domestic
  • Urban

Style

  • Brooding: Heavy, inward, weather-beaten.
  • Cold and cerebral: Detached and precise; keeps the viewer at arm's length.
  • Solemn: Grave and dignified; treats its subject with weight and respect.

Story

  • Mystery: A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.
ToneFeelDemandexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

What it feels like

Heaviest: middle
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.SerializedSingle-season story
ToneThe series holds its material with brooding sincerity, presenting its philosophical ideas with detached precision and a sombre tone.
The rideThe series maintains a pervasive tension and contemplative dread throughout, with the heaviest emotional and philosophical weight concentrated in the middle episodes.
StructureThe story unfolds in a linear, serialized fashion.
Episode formatDevs tells a single continuous story over eight episodes, functioning as a limited series.
Season formatThe series is a concluded limited series with one season telling a complete story.

How it leaves you

what you carry away
Why it leaves you this wayThe series leaves viewers with lingering questions about fate and the nature of reality, its philosophical implications haunting long after.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet endingTwist

Story archetype

where it sits among all shows
Monster — 18% of shows. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of shows. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 6% of shows. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 2% of shows. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 12% of shows. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 4% of shows. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 7% of shows. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 8% of shows. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 40% of showsPredator — 7% of shows. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 3% of shows. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of shows. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 3% of shows. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of shows. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of shows. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of shows. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of shows. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of shows. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of shows. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — 1% of shows. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of shows. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of shows. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of shows. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of shows. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 2% of shows. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 4% of shows. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of shows. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — under 1% of shows. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of shows. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 1% of shows. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — under 1% of shows. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of shows. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — under 1% of shows. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 2% of shows. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of shows. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of shows. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of shows. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 2% of shows. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of shows. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — under 1% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 1% of shows. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 1% of shows. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 1% of shows. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 1% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 3% of shows. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of shows. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 1% of shows. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of shows. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 6% of shows. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 1% of shows. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 18%: Predator 7% · Tyrant 3% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 3% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 6%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 2% · Mission 4% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage under 1%
  • Voyage 2%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 1% · Survival ordeal under 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent under 1%
  • Comedy 12%: Romantic comedy 2% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 2%
  • Tragedy 4%: Hubris 1% · Obsession under 1% · Corruption arc 1% · Doomed love 1% · Crushed by fate 1%
  • Rebirth 7%: Redemption 1% · Healing 3% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 1%
  • Mystery 8% (this title): Puzzle 1% · Investigation 6% (this title) · Enigma 1%
  • No archetype 40%

Mystery: A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered. · Investigation: A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).

8% of shows fit this archetype

with Tragedy underneath

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeThe series follows Lily's investigation into the secret Devs division, unravelling a cosmic deterministic mystery that questions free will and ends in tragedy.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 31% of showsSelf — 27% of showsPower — 7% of showsMorality — 11% of showsSurvival — 9% of showsSociety — 10% of showsIdeas — 5% of showsRomantic love — 10% of showsMarriage — 2% of showsFamily bonds — 22% of showsParenthood — 1% of showsFriendship — 18% of showsLoyalty — 7% of showsIdentity — 20% of showsComing of age — 9% of showsAging — under 1% of showsSelf-worth — 7% of showsAmbition — 14% of showsPurpose — 16% of showsMemory — 3% of showsObsession — 2% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 5% of showsCorruption — 3% of showsGreed — 2% of showsClass — 4% of showsOppression — 2% of showsFreedom — 4% of showsJustice — 14% of showsDuty — 2% of showsRevenge — 1% of showsGuilt — 1% of showsRedemption — 3% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — under 1% of showsSacrifice — 2% of showsBetrayal — 3% of showsDeception — 6% of showsSurvival — 12% of showsWar — 1% of showsViolence — 2% of showsMortality — 2% of showsGrief — 4% of showsTrauma — 5% of showsMental illness — under 1% of showsAddiction — under 1% of showsIllness and disability — under 1% of showsCommunity — 25% of shows. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 3% of showsPrejudice — 2% of showsDisplacement — 1% of showsFaith — 1% of showsTradition vs change — 3% of showsFame — 5% of showsLegacy — 3% of showsFate — 1% of showsFree will — under 1% of showsTruth — 6% of showsHope — 4% of showsNature — 3% of showsArt — 2% of showsTechnology — 1% of showsSelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 31%: Romantic love 10% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 22% · Parenthood 1% · Friendship 18% · Loyalty 7%
  • Self 27% (this title): Identity 20% · Coming of age 9% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 14% · Purpose 16% (this title) · Memory 3% · Obsession 2%
  • Power 7%: Power 5% · Corruption 3% · Greed 2% · Class 4% · Oppression 2% · Freedom 4%
  • Morality 11%: Justice 14% · Duty 2% · Revenge 1% · Guilt 1% · Redemption 3% · Forgiveness under 1% · Sacrifice 2% · Betrayal 3% · Deception 6%
  • Survival 9% (this title): Survival 12% · War 1% · Violence 2% · Mortality 2% · Grief 4% (this title) · Trauma 5% · Mental illness under 1% · Addiction under 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 10%: Community 25% · Isolation 3% · Prejudice 2% · Displacement 1% · Faith 1% · Tradition vs change 3% · Fame 5% · Legacy 3%
  • Ideas 5% (this title): Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 6% (this title) · Hope 4% · Nature 3% · Art 2% · Technology 1%

Self

PurposeTruth · 6% of showsGrief · 4% of shows
Interrogates its theme: Questions its theme without settling the answer.Cosmic stakes: Consequences reach beyond the world.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe protagonist's drive to discover what happened to her boyfriend intertwines with explorations of determinism, loss, and the search for meaning.
StanceThe series questions the nature of reality, free will, and purpose on a cosmic scale through its protagonist's investigation.

The world

ElectronicAmbientForeground music · original score · Geoff Barrow, Ben Salisbury
Settinga cutting-edge tech company's secret research division
MusicThe score is atmospheric and unsettling, mirroring the show's themes of surveillance and deterministic systems.

Content guide

Is Devs okay for kids?

TV-MA

Devs is rated TV-MA. As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at intense (69/100), sexual content at mild (34/100), language at moderate (57/100), drug and alcohol content at mild (30/100) and frightening material at intense (69/100). Overall it is heavier than 33% of TV-MA shows.

Ratings in 21 other countries
  • UK18
  • AustraliaMA 15+
  • Germany16
  • France18
  • Ireland16
  • South Korea15
  • Brazil16
  • Austria16
  • Denmark15
  • FinlandK16
  • Netherlands16
  • Norway18
  • Poland16
  • Portugal16
  • RO18
  • Russia18+
  • SingaporeM18
  • Spain18
  • SwedenFrån 15 år
  • Switzerland16
  • Türkiye18+
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
Heavier than 60% of all showsHeavier than 33% of TV-MA shows
Violence & Gore
Intense
typical for a TV-MA show
heavier than 56%
Sex & Nudity
Mild · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
light for a TV-MA show
heavier than 21%
Profanity
Moderate
typical for a TV-MA show
heavier than 27%
Alcohol & Drugs
Mild
light for a TV-MA show
heavier than 8%
Frightening / Intense
Intense · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for a TV-MA show
heavier than 68%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

The reason to think twice is frightening material and violence. Everything else sits at or below what TV-MA shows usually carry.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other shows that have them.

What content warnings does Devs have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Devs?

Cast

Sonoya Mizuno
as Lily Chan
Career best: Their highest-reaching show role by billing, audience size and rating.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Nick Offerman
as Forest
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Jin Ha
as Jamie
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Cailee Spaeny
as Lyndon
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Stephen McKinley Henderson
as Stewart
Career best: Their highest-reaching show role by billing, audience size and rating.
Alison Pill
as Katie
Amaya Mizuno-André
as Amaya
Zach Grenier
as Kenton
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Jefferson Hall
as Pete
Karl Glusman
as Sergei
Rising: A short career with a standing when this show came out above the median working actor today.

Crew

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What are shows like Devs?

TMDB's suggestions for shows like Devs include The OA (2016), Tales from the Loop (2020) and Mr. Mercedes (2017).

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What other shows share a tag with Devs?

191 other shows share the rarest tag below, kind of show: dystopian. Each tag opens Browse with the shows that share it.