Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale has regained its status as a highly acclaimed show, earning a perfect 100% critic score in its sixth and final season. This marks the highest critic score for the series since its groundbreaking first season in 2017. However, audience reception has been declining over the years, with critic scores dipping but not drastically, while audience scores plummeting.
The show’s ratings have significantly dropped since its peak in seasons one and two, with a notable decline starting from season four. The drop-off is even more pronounced after season five, which saw audience scores crash to just 21%. The current perfect score comes despite many critics having already reviewed the final season, indicating that opinions may be influenced by anticipation of the show’s conclusion.
The Handmaid’s Tale has become a low-profile series since its peak, making it unlikely for “woke/DEI” culture review bombing. Instead, the focus is on conceptual discussions, such as the impact of the show’s themes on real-world issues like Roe v. Wade being overturned by the Supreme Court. As the final season airs starting April 8, it remains to be seen whether the 100% critic score will stick or drop when additional reviews are published, and if audiences will return for the finale to redeem their past skepticism.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2025/04/06/hulus-best-new-show-arrives-with-a-surprising-100-critic-score