Hulu’s 8-Part Sci-Fi Thriller Series Is One Of Its Best

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Hulu offers a great selection of sci-fi shows, and one eight-episode series stands out as a hidden gem. Like other streaming services, Hulu features both content they’ve licensed and original programs. While some of their originals have become critically acclaimed, others haven’t gotten the recognition they deserve.

There are so many science fiction shows available these days, across different channels and streaming services, that it’s easy for good ones to get overlooked. That’s what happened with Devs, a complex and well-regarded sci-fi show that Hulu released in 2020. Even though critics praised it, Devs remains one of the most underrated sci-fi series of the last ten years.

Devs Is One Of The Best & Most Underrated Sci-Fi Shows Of The Decade

Devs is a science fiction miniseries created by Alex Garland. The show centers on Lily Chan (Sonoya Mizuno), a software engineer who works at Amaya, a company developing quantum computers. The company is run by Forest (Nick Offerman). Lily’s boyfriend and colleague, Sergei (Karl Glusman), gets a job with a highly secretive quantum computing division of Amaya, called “Devs,” which is located in an underground bunker.

Following Sergei’s death, Lily starts to uncover the truth behind it, which leads her to the secrets hidden within the Devs lab and the work Forest is doing there. Though only eight episodes in length, Devs is a skillfully crafted show that steadily builds tension and explores thought-provoking, complex ideas.

The show Devs received positive reviews, earning an 82% rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes and a 77% audience score. Reviewers particularly liked the show’s writing, directing, original ideas, underlying themes, grand scope, and visual style, although some felt the story moved a bit slowly.

Why Devs Is One Of The Smartest Shows You’ll Ever Watch

Unlike many science fiction shows from the 2020s, Devs focuses on big philosophical questions. The show centers around the ideas of free will versus determinism, exploring whether our choices are truly our own or if everything is already decided. It asks if the future is fixed and if we actually have control over our lives, all within the context of the mysterious technology being developed in the show’s central lab.

This brings up further questions, particularly about whether people can truly be held morally responsible for their actions if everything is already decided. The show, Devs, also explores complex scientific ideas, including quantum mechanics, all connected to the mysterious device Forest is building in the secret lab.

Though the show Devs deals with complicated ideas, its eight episodes are perfectly paced. Alex Garland skillfully explores themes of loss, regret, and love, all while giving the characters depth. What’s more, Devs provides a clear and satisfying conclusion, making for a complete and rewarding viewing experience.

Why Devs Became An Underrated Show Despite Its Quality

I really think Devs deserved a wider audience. With Alex Garland at the helm – writing, directing, and creating the whole thing – and Nick Offerman starring, it felt like it had all the pieces to be huge. Unfortunately, it came out right when the COVID-19 pandemic was starting, which really hurt its chances because it meant they couldn’t promote it properly and get the word out.

Devs was a thought-provoking show with complex ideas, but its slower pace and focus on philosophy likely kept it from gaining a wider audience, especially when compared to faster-paced, action-packed sci-fi series. Being an original story – rather than a remake, sequel, or adaptation – also meant it didn’t benefit from pre-existing fanbases and potentially got overlooked.

Despite its initial lack of widespread recognition, Devs remains a fantastic show, particularly for science fiction enthusiasts. Hopefully, it will gain a larger following and be appreciated more over time.

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2026-03-22 20:11