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Season 1 – The Strain

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – The Strain Jul 2014 Drama Fantasy Mystery & Thriller Horror Play Trailer Watchlist
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84% Tomatometer 64 Reviews 79% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
Dr. Ephraim Goodweather, the head of the CDC's New York-based Canary Project, is called upon to investigate when an airplane lands with everybody on board dead. What his team discovers is a viral outbreak that has similarities to an ancient strain of vampirism. As the virus begins to spread, Goodweather works with his team and a group of the city's residents to wage a war that could hold humanity's fate in its hand. The show's executive producers include Oscar-nominated writer Guillermo del Toro and Emmy-winning producer Carlton Cuse.
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The Strain — Season 1

The Strain — Season 1

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Critics Consensus

The Strain makes the most of its familiar themes through an effective mix of supernatural thrills and B-movie gore -- though it may not appeal to everyone.

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Critics Reviews

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Danette Chavez Chicago Reader 01/24/2019
It's this deft switch in tone... that inspires my confidence that interest in The Strain will spread. Go to Full Review Jace Lacob BuzzFeed News 01/24/2019
Some of the most intense and disturbing scenes ever on television. Go to Full Review Randy Cordova Arizona Republic 01/24/2019
Fans of gore will love what the special effects crew has come up with. These aren't sexy, True Blood-style vampires. Go to Full Review Randy Dankievitch TV Over Mind 02/26/2020
The Strain concludes its first season as it opened it: loud, shadowy, and stupid. Go to Full Review Álvaro P. Ruiz de Elvira El Pais (Spain) 11/15/2018
A B series in all its aspects. [Full Review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Robin Pierce Starburst 11/15/2018
9/10
There is a real sense of urgency and mounting dread as the series unfolds. It never slows down, it never lets up. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Craig B @Boundsy Jan 14 A very good scifi horror series. See more O S @GROMYKO Dec 31 Love it so much, I watched it a few times. See more TheMovieSearch R @TheMovieSearch Dec 26 The Strain season one struggles to deliver a compelling narrative despite high expectations. The show’s premise—vampiric infection threatening humanity—has potential, but the execution falls flat. The screenplay lacks cohesion and fails to engage, leaving the story feeling disconnected and unconvincing. Moments intended to create suspense or horror often miss their mark, resulting in a season that feels more stagnant than thrilling. The characters are underdeveloped, and while the cast occasionally delivers, the performances are inconsistent, leaving the audience struggling to connect with their fates or motivations. The technical aspects, such as the scary sequences, fail to generate genuine tension, undermining the horror elements. Overall, season one of The Strain disappoints; it has potential but remains flat, lacking the narrative depth, creativity, and engagement needed to captivate viewers. See more Matthew T Dec 21 If you have seen Blade II by the same writer/director Guillermo del Toro, you know what to expect. Ugly vampires with splitting faces and probosci and lots of body horror. This is really a mashup of every vampire zombie plague trope you can think of, and is a loose adaption of Dracula. So don’t expect too much new. All that said - it’s well executed, engaging, with interesting characters on both sides of undeath. I binge watched Season 1, and am now starting 2. If you like the genre or the director, particularly Blade II, you will enjoy. I’d still rather just watch Blade though… I am not entirely sure we needed this. But I guess this is what Del Toro does best… See more Rudy J Aug 19 Good first 12 episodes but the season finale is laughable See more House R Jul 28 I was impressed by the storytelling and cinematography, but be prepared for plenty of gross out scenes that may be too much for people with weak stomachs. See more Read all reviews
The Strain — Season 1

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Guillermo del Toro

Creator

Chuck Hogan

Creator

Corey Stoll

Dr. Ephraim Goodweather

David Bradley

Professor Abraham Setrakian

Mía Maestro

Dr. Nora Martinez

Kevin Durand

Vasiliy Fet

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Jul 13, 2014 Night Zero Dr. Ephraim Goodweather and his team investigate a plane that lands in New York City with everyone on board dead; pawnbroker Abraham Setrakian is convinced that something sinister is beginning. Details Episode 2 Aired Jul 20, 2014 The Box The four survivors begin manifesting strange symptoms, but Eph and Nora's attempt to quarantine them is thwarted; Setrakian receives a surprise visit from an old acquaintance. Details Episode 3 Aired Jul 27, 2014 Gone Smooth Eph and Nora fight to save Capt. Redfern's life; a spike in rat attacks signals Fet that something inexplicable is happening below the city; Setrakian begins his own merciless plan to stop the spread of the disease. Details Episode 4 Aired Aug 3, 2014 It's Not For Everyone A secret autopsy demonstrates the bizarre progression of the mystery virus; Eph and Nora race to find the father of the youngest victim of the plane tragedy; Ansel takes desperate measures to protect his family. Details Episode 5 Aired Aug 10, 2014 Runaways Eph reluctantly joins Setrakian's quest in hopes of gathering enough evidence to warrant a citywide quarantine; Fet encounters the unexpected inside the subway tunnels; a medical emergency threatens Palmer's master plan. Details Episode 6 Aired Aug 17, 2014 Occultation It's the beginning of the end as Setrakian realizes that the upcoming eclipse is the apex for viral infection; meanwhile, Eph is arrested after warning Kelly to leave with Zack before the plague spreads; Eichhorst has one last job for Gus. Details Episode 7 Aired Aug 24, 2014 For Services Rendered Setrakian, Eph and Nora formulate a plan to track down the Master using Jim as bait; Eichhorst and Setrakian's pasts are revealed; Neeva struggles to protect the children while encountering a mysterious stranger. Details Episode 8 Aired Aug 31, 2014 Creatures of the Night Setrakian gains a new and unlikely disciple after discovering the potency of ultraviolet light against the strigoi; a quick trip to a Brooklyn convenience store turns into a deadly all-night siege. Details Episode 9 Aired Sep 7, 2014 The Disappeared Eph learns that Kelly is missing; Dutch reveals her role in Palmer's plan; Gus is forced to make a difficult decision about Felix. Details Episode 10 Aired Sep 14, 2014 Loved Ones Eph investigates Kelly's disappearance and struggles with what he finds; Dutch pursues a plan to retaliate against Palmer; Fitzwilliam makes a surprising choice. Details Episode 11 Aired Sep 21, 2014 The Third Rail Setrakian leads Eph, Fet and Nora in the hunt for the Master's lair; Zack risks his safety for Mariela's sake. Details Episode 12 Aired Sep 28, 2014 Last Rites Dutch returns with a plan to broadcast Eph's warning about the vampiric plague; Eichhorst launches his own attack against the pawn shop; Palmer receives a special visitor; Gus gears up for the on-coming fight. Details Episode 13 Aired Oct 5, 2014 The Master Eph and Fet recon for an all-out assault that Setrakian assures them will finally kill the Master; Gus aligns himself with a strange new force. Details

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The Strain — Season 1

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Season Info

Director
David Semel, Peter Weller, Keith Gordon
Creator
Guillermo del Toro, Chuck Hogan
Executive Producer
Guillermo del Toro, Chuck Hogan, Carlton Cuse, Gary Ungar
Screenwriter
Guillermo del Toro, Chuck Hogan, Guillermo del Toro, David Weddle, Regina Corrado, Chuck Hogan, Bradley Thompson
Network
FX
Rating
TV-MA
Genre
Drama, Fantasy, Mystery & Thriller, Horror
Original Language
English
Release Date
Jul 13, 2014