Prime Video’s ‘Fallout’ Is an Ultra-Violent and Twistedly Fun Video Game Adaptation: TV Reviews
In a post-apocalyptic landscape teeming with shows and films, “Fallout” for Prime Video stands out as a thrilling and off-kilter adaptation of the beloved video game series. Creators Lisa Joy and Jonathan Nolan transport viewers to the 23rd century, where humanity grapples with the aftermath of nuclear devastation.
The Beginning: A Nuclear Apocalypse
The eight-episode series kicks off in picturesque America, a glossy reimagining of a post-racial 1955. Actor Cooper Howard (played by Walton Goggins ) entertains at a children’s party, but the idyllic scene shatters when a nuclear bomb detonates on the Los Angeles horizon. This cataclysmic event marks the end of the familiar world, thrusting us into a new era.
Life Underground and Above
Fast-forward 219 years , and we find ourselves underground in Vault 33 . Lucy MacLean ( Ella Purnell ), raised in this luxurious yet controlled environment, adheres to the “golden rule.” But when she ventures above ground for the first time, she encounters an ultra-violent and lawless wasteland. From beheadings to mutated ghouls, Lucy’s reality is far from Pleasantville.
Meanwhile, Maximus ( Aaron Moten ), a soldier in the Brotherhood of Steel , navigates the surface. This organization aims to preserve technology and improve the wasteland. When Maximus crosses paths with Lucy, their reluctant alliance sets them on a two-week quest to find a woman named Moldaver . The journey unravels secrets of the past, intertwining with their chaotic present.
Critical Reception
Critics have praised “Fallout” for its scope, character development, and darkly humorous take on the apocalypse. Variety’s critic Aramide Tinubu describes it as an “ultra-violent” and “twistedly fun” adaptation, offering something unique in the crowded post-apocalyptic genre1. Ella Purnell’s portrayal of Lucy, transitioning from innocence to badassery, adds depth to the narrative2. IGN even ranks it among the best game adaptations ever made, alongside “The Last of Us” 3.
The eight episodes of “Fallout” premiered on April 11 on Prime Video, inviting viewers to explore a world where survival demands more than just rules—it requires resilience, wit, and a dash of madness.