My quick rating – 6.0/10. Set on a remote Scottish oil rig, The Rig kicks off with an eerie, supernatural premise as a dense fog rolls in, isolating the crew and unleashing forces beyond their comprehension. The show thrives on its claustrophobic setting, creating a palpable sense of dread, with stunning visuals and impressive special effects amplifying the unease.
Iain Glen does a good job through both seasons as Magnus, the head honcho of the rig, bringing a steady, commanding presence to the role. Emily Hampshire also stands out with a solid performance as the strong female lead, always managing to rein in the macho guys when they veer too far into tough-guy mode. Martin Compston had an interesting and pivotal role, though it seemed to shift between seasons, making his character arc feel slightly inconsistent.
Season 1 is an engaging slow-burn mystery, filled with tension and unanswered questions that kept me hooked. It borrows elements from The Mist, The Thing, and Alien, but never enough to feel derivative—it blends familiar ideas into something uniquely its own. The pacing is tight, the mystery intriguing, and the performances solid across the board. (7/10)
Unfortunately, Season 2 loses steam. The momentum built in the first season fades as the show struggles to maintain the same level of tension and intrigue. The writing feels lazier, relying on familiar tricks that no longer hold the same impact. While it does attempt to break away from its earlier inspirations, the execution doesn’t quite land, making it a less compelling watch. (5/10)
With the way things ended, the door is left open for continuation, but if the show were to return, it would likely take a very different direction from what we’ve seen so far. Whether that’s a good or bad thing remains to be seen, but as it stands, The Rig works best as a full binge, especially now that a third season seems unlikely.
This show is still an Amazon exclusive.