Peacock Review: ‘Those About to Die’ Puts the Emphasis on the Spectacle

The higher the stakes, the bigger the reward. Though if you’re forced to fight as a gladiator in ancient Rome, the best outcome is likely survival until the next day and the next fight. Audiences were already treated to a cinematic project inspired by Daniel P. Mannix’s 1958 book Those About to Die back in 2000 with the Oscar-winning Best Picture Gladiator, and Peacock’s blockbuster series arrives just ahead of that film’s highly-anticipated sequel two decades in the making. But the streaming service is positioning its newest epic show in a different way: as the perfect companion to the Summer Olympics.

Though its promotional materials heavily feature two-time Oscar winner Anthony Hopkins, whose last regular TV gig was on another type of period production, Westworld, this series features a densely populated ensemble. Hopkins is Emperor Vespasian, whose decision to assign ownership of the massive arena to the people of Rome throws everything into chaos for the many players who want in on the profits. Everyone is motivated by selfish interests, some legitimate, like remaining alive and free, and others less magnanimous, like making themselves rich while their enemies suffer in poverty.

Those About to Die is a crowded series overflowing with characters, introducing a number of subplots and dynamics in its first episode alone that become difficult to keep track of as new forces enter and fall. While that may be a deficit for those who will struggle to follow the narrative, it offers the possibility for deep and layered storytelling, with numerous overlapping worlds at play at all times. Even if one storyline doesn’t feel all that relevant or resonant, there are many others to choose from that should entice viewers.

Where Those About to Die really comes alive is in its visual presentation. Gladiator is well-remembered for its fight scenes and the portrayal of its hero as alone against the masses, but this series takes things to an entirely new level. The arena is a spectacular feat, and watching competitors race around the track, struggling to keep control of their horses, is a vision to behold. The crowds also feel impossibly large, besting even the overwhelming black-and-white cheering section in Dune 2 and communicating the true might of an empire represented in its stadium seating, attending an event which any of them could easily find themselves forced to participate in given the right circumstances of misfortune.

Fans of Game of Thrones will appreciate the salacious sexual content that compliments the series’ penchant for violence, and one actor in particular links the two worlds in a helpful way. Iwan Rheon, best known for playing the sadistic Ramsay Bolton on the popular HBO fantasy series, is considerably more reserved in his machinations as Tenax, who sees the advantages of operating slyly and subtly in the new power structure. While he does enjoy making those who have wronged him pay, he’s not an outright villain, contributing productively to this show’s gray area of morality, with many prone to problematic behavior but potentially redeemed by at least one optimistic character trait.

Premiering all ten episodes at once, this show may feel like an excessive binge given the sheer volume of betrayal and worldbuilding in each episode. It’s exhaustively built and the effort shows, from the costumes to the set pieces and the eye of the camera that constantly conveys the grandeur of its universe. Despite promising a never-before-seen focus on the commodity of humans as sport, this series feels more like an extension of preexisting material than something entirely fresh. For those who enjoy the chaos and the carnage, this show, like the games it showcases, will serve up just what its audiences desire.

Series Rating: 6/10

Awards Buzz: This series isn’t likely to compete in above-the-line categories at the Emmy Awards, but its technical components may be recognized by the creative arts branches and other guilds honoring its noteworthy below-the-line achievements.