David Harbour and Jason Bateman’s latest HBO series is already drawing attention as it approaches its debut. Early reactions from critics have begun to shape the conversation around the project, with review aggregators reflecting a strong start. As it premieres, its Rotten Tomatoes score and reviews are fueling discussion around the release.
What critics are saying about DTF. St Louis in reviews
James Poniewózk of New York Times wrote, “It might not satisfy fans of that genre, while if anything, I found myself wanting it weirder and less bound by its format.” Judy Berman of TIME Magazine stated, “The murder is, at best, a distraction from what makes DTF unique; at worst, it’s a crutch supporting three characters whose creator failed to build them a less conventional plot.”
Other critics responded positively. Tim Lowery of AV Club stated, “This is a very assured show, the kind where a left-field backstory or character trait doesn’t come off like a tacked-on quirk or distraction but rather the heart of what makes it so wonderful to watch in the first place.
Ross McIndoe of Slant Magazine said, “The series boasts a unique charm that sneaks up on you.”
Brian Tallerico of RogerEbert.com wrote, “It’s too character-driven to be called satire, but it winks at the ridiculousness of all of this, how violence can erupt in the most mundane places in the country, locations that have often built themselves on an illusion of safety.”
Additional positive reviews contributed to the score. Ben Travers of IndieWire graded it “A-” and wrote, “It’s an ideal blend of character drama and murder-mystery.” Nick Schager of The Daily Beast stated, “For a show that’s routinely funny and intriguing, DTF St. Louis is startlingly insightful and moving.”
Craig Mathieson of The Age (Australia) rated it 4.5/5 and wrote, “Sad comedy or funny tragedy? Either way, few recent shows have inspired such a level of reflection in me.”
DTF St. Louis gets an amazing score on Rotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes reports that DTF St. Louis holds an 80% Tomatometer score based on 20 critic reviews. HBO premiered the comedy series on March 1, 2026, and assigned it a TV-MA rating. The official synopsis states, “A love triangle between three adults experiencing middle-age malaise that leads to one of them ending up dead.”
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