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Season 1 – Unstable

Play trailer 1:25 Poster for Season 1 – Unstable Mar 2023 Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
68% Tomatometer 19 Reviews 78% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
An introverted man must save his eccentric biotech entrepreneur father -- and his company -- from disaster.
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Unstable — Season 1

Unstable — Season 1

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Unstable is a little wobbly as it veers between sincere family affair and scathing satire, but Rob Lowe's reliable comedic chops provide the necessary ballast.

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Critics Reviews

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Brian Lowry CNN.com Apr 7, 2023
Unstable plays a little too conspicuously like a father-and-son bonding opportunity for Rob Lowe and John Owen Lowe, yielding a breezy Netflix comedy series that’s so lightweight it could easily just blow away. Go to Full Review Richard Roeper Chicago Sun-Times Apr 3, 2023
3/4
A relatively breezy series that doesn’t try to reinvent the comedy mold and is content to deliver consistent laughs in a traditional and time-tested format. Go to Full Review John Anderson Wall Street Journal Mar 31, 2023
The show boasts writing that sparkles, music that puts a fresh spin on the entire production, and memorable, sharply defined characters. Go to Full Review Robert W. Butler Butler's Cinema Scene Aug 23, 2024
Relatively few comedies make me laugh out loud. “Unstable” does. A lot. Go to Full Review Isabel Parigi Pajiba Apr 17, 2023
What would it be like if Rob Lowe was your father? Although the dynamic had entertaining potential, the resulting show contains all the elements of a comedy without ever achieving it. Go to Full Review Natalia Trzenko La Nación (Argentina) Apr 10, 2023
3/5
... the meta element adds appeal to the sitcom which also suggests itself as a worthy office comedy. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Noah S @Noah2002 Jul 8, 2026 It’s fun, but not the greatest (doesn’t need to be). See more L. F @RT68678650 Jun 22, 2026 Comedy is subjective - unfortunately this one wasn't for me. As a show, it's highly aware of itself and tries too hard to be "off-beat". The characters are all clearly designed to be "quirky", which just left them feeling one dimensional, unbelievable and unlikeable. The script was incredibly light and lacking. I didn't laugh once, which I took as a bad sign. See more Rishi J @Maharishi05 Aug 22, 2025 The son is the worst part of this show. It's clear he was cast because his dad is Rob Lowe and as a critic pointed out, this is a highly conceded way for them to bond in real life. The lab characters are great, as is the COO/CFO. See more Ben S. @benjaminsusername Aug 6, 2025 Thought the cast was and writing were great, but really didn’t enjoy the son character. Him being such a large part of the show was really a huge bummer and ended up ruining a lot of scenes for me that I think I would have enjoyed if he wasn’t a part of them. See more Dewald E @RT39205438 Jul 26, 2025 Easy to watch and enjoy a good laugh. The directness of Sian Clifford as Anna is wonderfully contrasted by Rob Lowe's "head in the clouds" character. See more Ezra R @ejrrrr Jun 9, 2025 Underrated. Obvious amount of work out into the script See more Read all reviews
Unstable — Season 1

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Rob Lowe

Creator

Johnowen Lowe

Creator

Victor Fresco

Creator

Rob Lowe

Ellis Dragon

Johnowen Lowe

Jackson Dragon

Sian Clifford

Anna Bennet

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Mar 30, 2023 Unstable Reeling from a tragedy, Ellis struggles to focus at work as a major project looms, forcing Anna to reach out to Ellis' son, Jackson, for help. Details Episode 2 Aired Mar 30, 2023 Engaged, Focused and Ridiculously Sane After an odd discovery in Ellis' basement, Jackson stays longer in Los Angeles and sets boundaries with his dad, which inspires Ellis to stand up to the board. Details Episode 3 Aired Mar 30, 2023 The Wizard of Odd Determined to change the narrative of his life and business, Ellis invites a reporter to shadow him, while Anna tries to make things seem normal at work. Details Episode 4 Aired Mar 30, 2023 Pilgrims and Sex Parties Facing fallout from the Time cover, Ellis fears getting ousted and receives support from an old pal; Anna uncovers intel to keep the twins at bay. Details Episode 5 Aired Mar 30, 2023 Beautiful Birthday Bastards When the twins threaten to press charges, Anna and Ellis plan a birthday surprise; Jackson and the Red Lab crew head to the bar, where feelings emerge. Details Episode 6 Aired Mar 30, 2023 The Ballad of Eduardo A call from an old professor puts Jackson in a tough spot; the Red Lab crew faces hard truths; Ellis sets his sights on new heights at his side job. Details Episode 7 Aired Mar 30, 2023 Roasting for Beginners Ellis and Jackson spend the day doing landscaping work until the father-son bonding time turns into a roast; at the house, Leslie wears out his welcome. Details Episode 8 Aired Mar 30, 2023 A Dragon's Fire An emergency board meeting puts Ellis' job on the line; a shocking discovery forces Jackson to step up to save the company -- and his dad -- from disaster. Details

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New on Netflix in March 2023
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Unstable — Season 1

Unstable: Season 1 Teaser - Rob Lowe & John Owen Lowe Play Father & Son Unstable: Season 1 Teaser - Rob Lowe & John Owen Lowe Play Father & Son 1:25 Now Playing View more videos
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Unstable — Season 1

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Season Info

Director
Marc Buckland
Creator
Rob Lowe, Johnowen Lowe, Victor Fresco
Executive Producer
Rob Lowe, Johnowen Lowe, Victor Fresco, Marc Buckland
Screenwriter
Sean Clements, Samantha Shanker
Network
Netflix
Rating
TV-14
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date
Mar 30, 2023
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