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John from Cincinnati

John from Cincinnati

2007Ended1 season10 episodes~50 min/epTV-MAMidcredits score: 46th percentile of all shows

In Imperial Beach, California, the Yosts—a dysfunctional family of surfers—intersect with two new arrivals to the community: a dim-but-wealthy surfing enthusiast and man spurned by the Yosts years ago.

Your rating, lists and review

Where to watch

Where can I watch John from Cincinnati?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists John from Cincinnati streaming on HBO Max and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

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Highlights

What stands out about John from Cincinnati?

John from Cincinnati earns 1 badge: Preferred by Men.

Reception

Is John from Cincinnati worth watching?

John from Cincinnati's Midcredits score is the 46th percentile of all shows, from 5.2K ratings across 2 sources. 73% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

46th percentile

Better received than 46% of shows

41st percentile among Drama40th percentile among 2000s
Acclaim (how much people like it)38th
Approval (how many liked it)55th

Acclaim

Mixed: Rating-distribution shape vs the catalog

How much people like it

68 /100

38th percentile of all shows

35th percentile among Drama32nd percentile among 2000s

Rating distribution

Big peaks at both ends — people either love this or bounce off it hard.

Approval

How many liked it

73% liked it

55th percentile of all shows

50th percentile among Drama49th percentile among 2000s
73% rated it 7–1027% rated it 1–6

Reach

How many have seen it

78th percentile

5.2K ratings across platforms

72nd percentile among Drama71st percentile among 2000s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 21% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

A deeply strange, challenging show about a dysfunctional surfing family touched by the supernatural.

Fans praised

  • compelling family dynamics and emotional pull
  • original, thought-provoking premise with spiritual depth
  • strong ensemble acting, especially DeMornay and O'Neill

Detractors panned

  • incoherent, meandering plot that goes nowhere
  • pretentious, cryptic dialogue that frustrates rather than deepens
  • miscast or grating performances from younger actors

What stands out

OriginalityDivisive80

unlike anything else on TV, for better or worse

AtmosphereDivisive75

immersive beach-town world with a mystical edge

ActingDivisive70

ensemble praised by fans, but detractors cite weak leads and overacting

CharactersDivisive60

quirky, layered for fans; unlikeable or hollow for detractors

DialogueDivisive55

lyrical and meaningful to fans; pretentious and opaque to detractors

Emotional impactDivisive55

deeply moving for some; emotionally hollow for others

Plot and storyDivisive30

builds mystery for fans; aimless and frustrating for detractors

PacingDivisive25

slow, deliberate build praised by some fans; excruciatingly boring to most

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Men

Men scored it 17 points higher than women.

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

  • US vs non-US 2 points apart

Episodes

1 season

Season 1 · 2007 · 10 episodes

  • S1E1

    His Visit: Day One

    Jun 10, 200758 min
  • S1E2

    His Visit: Day Two

    Jun 17, 200749 min
  • S1E3

    His Visit: Day Two Continued

    Jun 24, 200749 min
  • S1E4

    His Visit: Day Three

    Jul 1, 200752 min
  • S1E5

    His Visit: Day Four

    Jul 8, 200749 min
  • S1E6

    His Visit: Day Five

    Jul 15, 200750 min

Watch experience

What is John from Cincinnati like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Earnest, dark and charged — a slow-burn watch that leaves you thinking.

ToneFeelDemandexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

What it feels like

Moods
MelancholicTense
Heaviest: throughout
Dry humor
Register
Solemn: Grave and dignified; treats its subject with weight and respect.Brooding: Heavy, inward, weather-beaten.
Told as
SerializedSingle-season story
ToneThe material is played with a serious, brooding sincerity, never undercutting its own drama, but its heightened, almost mythic quality gives it a stylized realism.
The rideThe series sustains a melancholic, tense atmosphere as the family's dysfunction and the newcomers' arrival create ongoing unease.
StructureThe story is told in a straightforward serialized format with no overt structural device like nonlinearity or multiple perspectives suggested by the synopsis.
Episode formatThe show presents a continuous story across its single season, with each episode advancing the Yost family's arc.
Season formatThe series is a concluded limited run of one season telling one complete story.

How it leaves you

what you carry away
Thought-provokingBittersweet
Why it leaves you this wayThe series leaves viewers pondering questions of family, redemption, and institutional failure, mixed with the poignant sense of loss and tentative hope.
How it ends · evidence
Ambiguous ending

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).Monster
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 18% (this title): Predator 7% · Tyrant 3% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 3% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% (this title) · 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%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 6% · Enigma 1%
  • No archetype 40%

Overcoming the monster: A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated. · Institutional injustice: A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).

18% of shows fit this archetype

with Rebirth underneath

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

Why this archetypeThe series arc follows the Yost family confronting the damage caused by past betrayals and a looming institutional threat, while also hinting at a chance for personal renewal.

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 showsSelfFamilybonds
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 31% (this title): Romantic love 10% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 22% (this title) · Parenthood 1% · Friendship 18% · Loyalty 7%
  • Self 27%: Identity 20% · Coming of age 9% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 14% · Purpose 16% · 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% (this title) · Forgiveness under 1% · Sacrifice 2% · Betrayal 3% · Deception 6%
  • Survival 9%: Survival 12% · War 1% · Violence 2% · Mortality 2% · Grief 4% · Trauma 5% · Mental illness under 1% · Addiction under 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 10%: Community 25% (this title) · Isolation 3% · Prejudice 2% · Displacement 1% · Faith 1% · Tradition vs change 3% · Fame 5% · Legacy 3%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 6% · Hope 4% · Nature 3% · Art 2% · Technology 1%

Bonds

Family bondsRedemption · 3% of shows: Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Community: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.
Interrogates its theme: Questions its theme without settling the answer.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Ensemble lead
How it treats its themeThe series revolves around repairing the fractured Yost family and their ties to a coastal community.
StanceThe series questions what it means to be a family and how redemption or change is possible in a close-knit community.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanDomesticStylized realism
Orchestral modernFolkSupportive music · original score
SettingImperial Beach, California, a seaside town with a surfing community

Content guide

Is John from Cincinnati okay for kids?

TV-MA

John from Cincinnati is rated TV-MA.

Ratings in 17 other countries
  • UK18
  • AustraliaMA 15+
  • Germany18
  • France18
  • Brazil16
  • Czechia15+
  • FinlandK12
  • Hungary16
  • MexicoB
  • Netherlands12
  • Norway12
  • Poland16
  • Portugal12AP
  • RO15
  • Spain18
  • SwedenFrån 15 år
  • Türkiye18+

No detailed content scores for this title yet.

What content warnings does John from Cincinnati have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in John from Cincinnati?

Cast

2 of the 10 billed cast had never appeared on screen.

Rebecca De Mornay
as Cissy Yost
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.
Greyson Fletcher
as Shaun Yost
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Willie Garson
as Meyer Dickstein
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Bruce Greenwood
as Mitch Yost
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.
Luis Guzmán
as Ramon Gaviota
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Keala Kennelly
as Kai
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Austin Nichols
as John Monad
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Ed O'Neill
as Bill Jacks
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Luke Perry
as Linc Stark
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Brian Van Holt
as Butchie Yost

Crew

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