Season 2 of “The Old Man” has experienced a notable decline in its Rotten Tomatoes rating, particularly when compared to the nearly flawless reception of its first season. Adapted from Tom Perry’s 2017 novel and featuring the Oscar-winning Jeff Bridges in the lead role, this action thriller made its initial appearance on FX in June 2022. The narrative follows an ostensibly ordinary elderly man whose perilous past resurfaces. Now, after a delay, the second season is set to premiere on FX on September 12 with a two-episode release, available for streaming on Hulu the following day. However, early feedback has not been overwhelmingly positive.
With only six reviews currently in, the score is likely to change, but “The Old Man” season 2 has commenced with a mere 50% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The critics are evenly divided, with three reviews leaning positive and three negative, a stark contrast to season 1’s impressive 97% based on 61 reviews.
What Do the Reviews Say About The Old Man Season 2?
The Performances Are the Highlight.
The early split in opinions regarding the show’s sophomore season seems to center around differing views on what the series’ strengths truly are. Part of the initial excitement for the action series stemmed from its early episodes, which were both action-packed and innovative. Directed by Jon Watts, known for directing Tom Holland’s Spider-Man trilogy, the series thrilled audiences with the swift action sequences featuring Bridges’ character. Kaiya Shunyata, writing for RogerEbert.com, argues that this aspect is not where season 2 excels: “It works better as a drama than the espionage thriller it seems desperate to be.”
Season 2 of “The Old Man” comprises eight episodes.
Shunyata commends the cast, which includes John Lithgow, E. J. Bonilla, Alia Shawkat, and Amy Brenneman. This sentiment is echoed in Nick Schager’s review for The Daily Beast, although he notes: “The series’ fixation on Afghanistan politics means that it’s no longer really a story about an aged lone wolf on the run from his past—a gravely underwhelming transition.” The review emphasizes that the leading roles portrayed by Bridges and Lithgow are not the central focus.
The Old Man Season 2 Wishlist: 10 Things We Need To See Happen
Following the conclusion of season 1, the FX series continues its commendable effort to highlight the human impact of U.S. foreign policy. However, the adaptation, created by Jonathan E. Steinberg and Robert Levine, has shown a tendency to favor lengthy monologues and characters exchanging information over more natural development. Nonetheless, it still has merits, as Alex Maidy of JoBlo.com notes: “This is a story of the consequences of youth haunting you later in life, and I cannot think of better actors to overcome the challenge.”
Source: Rotten Tomatoes, RogerEbert.com, The Daily Beast, JoBlo.com
The Old Man
- Thriller
Premiering on FX in 2022, The Old Man is a drama thriller starring Jeff Bridges. The film sees Bridges playing Dan Chase, an ex-CIA operative and war veteran that kills an intruder that enters his home and then goes into hiding to avoid the law.