‘The Gentlemen’ Season 2 Rotten Tomatoes Score Hits 100% as Critics Praise Reinvention
Guy Ritchie has made a name for himself with stylish crime stories filled with sharp dialogue and unexpected twists. This formula transitioned smoothly when he adapted his 2019 film ‘The Gentlemen‘ into a Netflix series that premiered in March 2024. The first season received a solid, if not overwhelming, response from critics, leaving ample opportunity for growth.
Season 2 has clearly seized that opportunity. The new season, which started streaming on September 3, follows Theo James’ Eddie Horniman as he navigates his unexpected inheritance of a dukedom and a vast criminal weed empire, plunging him into even more perilous situations than before.
This evolution has resulted in an impressive critical reception. As of Thursday afternoon, ‘The Gentlemen’ Season 2 boasts a perfect 100% “fresh” score on Rotten Tomatoes, according to Yahoo News, a remarkable increase from Season 1’s respectable 75% critics’ score.
Much of the acclaim focuses on how the series has darkened and matured in its second season. Variety’s review described the new season as engaging, devastating, and thoroughly entertaining, arguing that with Season 2, “The Gentlemen” has “upped the ante and fully hit its stride.”
Collider echoed this sentiment, calling the season a near-total transformation from its predecessor. The outlet noted that Season 2 introduces the Italian mafia, Peruvian cartels, the British House of Lords, and even elements of mysticism and myth, marking a tonal shift away from the comedy that characterized the first season.
The AV Club similarly praised the show’s broader scope, describing it as an entertaining action romp filled with vivid production design and striking sets, along with brutal, bloody shootouts that maintain excitement throughout.
Central to this critical reappraisal is Theo James’ evolving performance as Eddie, with Variety specifically noting his shift into what they call his “Michael Corleone era,” highlighting a darker, more sinister version of the character that propels the season forward. This comparison illustrates how far the show has pushed its protagonist beyond the reluctant aristocrat introduced in Season 1.
The returning cast features Kaya Scodelario, Daniel Ings, Ray Winstone, Joely Richardson, Vinnie Jones, and Giancarlo Esposito, who portrays billionaire Stanley Johnston, a character known for occasionally discussing Jesus and power throughout the season’s eight episodes. This blend of dark comedy and genuine menace seems to be a significant factor in why critics are responding more favorably this time around.
Season 1 was not a disappointment, achieving a strong 84% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and garnering 12.2 million views worldwide within its first three days on Netflix. However, the leap from a 75% critics’ score to a perfect 100% indicates a significant shift in critical consensus, suggesting that Ritchie and his creative team made the right adjustments for the show’s second chapter.
With reviews continuing to pour in and the season now fully available for streaming, ‘The Gentlemen’ appears set to become one of Netflix’s major success stories this fall.
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