Movies

Mr. Robot: How a Cult Classic Became a Must-Watch Series

BBG News

From today, you can stream the USA Network drama “Mr. Robot” on Netflix. This is an excellent opportunity for new viewers to get acquainted with the series; from 2015 to 2019, it was one of the most forward-thinking, anti-capitalist shows on television. During the optimistic period of USA Network’s programming, this techno-thriller aimed for prestige-drama status, blending its character study with incisive social commentary.

Despite creator Sam Esmail’s success in producing four seasons of his personal venture with minimal network interference, Mr. Robot didn’t quite match the popularity of many comparable series such as FX’s The Americans and HBO’s The Leftovers. After a first season that was widely praised, the show grew increasingly strange, bold, and arguably less engaging on an episode-by-episode basis, particularly during its second season which received fewer mentions on year-end “best TV” lists than its debut.

Today, the occasional flaws in the show “Mr. Robot” seem like endearing quirks—key elements contributing to a grand design masterfully brought to life by Esmail. Time will undoubtedly be gentle with “Mr. Robot”; don’t let anyone convince you otherwise. Here’s what you should familiarize yourself with before jumping in.

What is the show actually about?

Rami Malek plays the role of Elliot Alderson, a young man grappling with clinical depression who works as a cybersecurity engineer during the day at Allsafe. At night, he operates covertly as a cyber-avenger, and his exceptional hacking abilities catch the interest of Mr. Robot (Christian Slater), the mysterious head of a hacktivist organization named fsociety. Their objective: to erase all consumer debt and dismantle the vast corporation E-Corp, which Elliot’s mind refers to as “Evil Corp.

Sounds very Fight Club…

Esmail openly showcases his inspirations in his work, and it’s hard not to notice that Fight Club is one clear influence, from its anti-consumerist theme to the character reminiscent of Tyler Durden. Similarly, Taxi Driver leaves a strong impression on the narrative due to Elliot’s voiceover and the individual-versus-society perspective that leads him into angry tirades. However, Mr. Robot stands out as a unique blend of sci-fi and thriller elements, and Esmail isn’t shy about acknowledging his sources—as seen when he incorporates the Pixies’ “Where is My Mind,” famously used in Fight Club, towards the end of Season 1.

In simpler terms, the storyline of Elliot’s complex personality is a key element that runs throughout the series “Mr. Robot”. Understanding this psychological journey is just as crucial as following the plot about the heists against E-Corp. (Interestingly, recent episodes have less focus on hacking and more on what’s happening in Elliot’s mind.) If you can embrace this shift in focus, you’re likely to appreciate the show’s creative explorations, such as the fourth episode that delves into Elliot’s consciousness during drug withdrawal, which has a dreamlike quality reminiscent of David Lynch’s work.

Just how weird does the show get?

In the first season of “Mr. Robot”, the storyline is remarkably realistic, with creator Sam Esmail directing only three episodes initially. However, his unique directorial style, characterized by characters’ faces positioned at the bottom edge of the screen to highlight their isolation, was evident from the start. From Season 2 onwards, Esmail becomes the full-time director and introduces more experimentation into the episodes: a 15-minute homage to ’90s sitcoms, an episode shot continuously amidst riots, a hostage situation with intense personal implications structured like a five-act play. As the series progresses, it also toys with science fiction elements, hinting at possibilities of time travel and alternate realities. This flexibility in both genre and tone—ranging from comedic to suspenseful, heartbreaking, and terrifying—makes “Mr. Robot” a standout show.

Does it ever get bad?

Generally, many viewers believe that the TV series Mr. Robot suffers its most during Season 2, particularly due to an Elliot-focused narrative that lingers excessively. Although the show boasts captivating side characters like Angela (Portia Doubleday), a morally ambiguous childhood friend of Elliot, or Tyrell Wellick (Martin Wallström), a manipulative E-Corp executive, and Whiterose (BD Wong), a transgender cyberterrorist serving as Minister of State Security under her original name, not all character arcs receive equal attention in terms of development and resolution.

Instead of finding the slow moments in the show’s pace bothersome when watching weekly, they become more tolerable during a binge-watching session where you can consume several episodes at once without waiting a week for progression in the plot. Additionally, while some drops in quality come from Esmail focusing on stylistic innovation rather than the straightforward narrative of Season 1, upon reflection, Season 2 is impressive, although it’s more enjoyable if you approach it with an open mind.

Is the ending satisfying?

The audience numbers for the show significantly dropped during Season 2 and didn’t fully bounce back even with a stronger Season 3 and an intriguing Season 4. However, rewatching Mr. Robot after knowing the end result, the minor hiccups along the way seem insignificant; the show manages to conclude in a manner that provides a surprisingly emotional reinterpretation of the entire series. Kudos to Esmail, whose subsequent works like the podcast adaptation Homecoming and the novel adaptation Leave the World Behind, for remaining faithful to his vision for the series and consistently focusing on the journey of its distinctive and surprisingly identifiable protagonist, who is the essence of the show.

Credit is due to Malek too, as his portrayal of Elliot allowed him to land leading roles such as the Oscar-winning one as Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody, and being cast as a Bond villain. His powerful, vulnerable performance sets the tone for the entire series. From the very first episode, it’s clear that Elliot Alderson is inviting us into his world, and once we’re there, we don’t want to leave.

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2025-07-03 20:07

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