Rotten Tomatoes
Movies Tv shows RT App News Showtimes

Miniseries – Waco

Play trailer Poster for Miniseries – Waco Jan 2018 Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
68% Tomatometer 47 Reviews 76% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
In February 1993, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms raids David Koresh's Branch Davidian compound, a small religious community located just outside of Waco, Texas, triggering a drawn-out gun battle that kills four ATF agents and six civilians and wounds dozens more people. After a 51-day standoff, the conflict ends when an FBI assault leads to a fire that engulfs the compound, killing 76 Branch Davidians, including Koresh. Told from the perspectives of those who were there, including chief FBI negotiator Gary Noesner and survivor David Thibodeau, the six-part scripted series "Waco" dramatizes one of the most misunderstood stories in American history.
Watch on Fandango at Home Stream Now

Where to Watch

Waco — Miniseries

Waco — Miniseries

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Waco brings its fact-based drama to life with an outstanding ensemble, though its sympathetic approach to the main character may offend some viewers.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View More
Justin Burke The Australian 11/09/2018
Waco is an excellent addition to the subgenre. Go to Full Review
Melanie McFarland Salon.com 09/06/2018
Though Kitsch's impersonation of Koresh makes Waco worth sticking with, Michael Shannon matches that dynamism. Go to Full Review
Michael Phillips Chicago Tribune 08/31/2018
As is Waco rates as a reasonably effective dramatization of what led to the siege, and little more. Go to Full Review
Joe Lipsett Murder Made Fiction Podcast - Bloody Disgusting 11/29/2024
It's clear that the series is unfairly biased towards the two figures who contributed its source material, ensuring that they come off in the best light, rather than telling the best story Go to Full Review
Kristian Harloff Schmoes Know 05/11/2020
4.3/5
A very sad story, but a very well-made series. It's a tough thing to watch, but you watch for the incredible performances, a must-watch if you're interested in true stories... Go to Full Review
Paul Tassi Forbes 05/02/2020
Netflix has found an off-service hit in the form of Waco, a powerful retelling of a tragedy with a deeply impressive cast. Go to Full Review
Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View More
Alexander S Oct 20 Waco offers a comprehensive examination of David Koresh's life and leadership, shedding light on his controlling behavior towards women and the intense confrontation with law enforcement. With standout performances from Michael Shannon and Taylor Kitsch, this series delivers a gripping and a nuanced exploration of the Waco tragedy. Grading: A See more Christina S Aug 11 I have only watched half of the series but very impressed with the acting so far. As others have commented, it is excellent. It definitely does humanize all of the key players that were a part of this national tragedy. And looking forward to watching the last half. See more NASHVILLE I @Nshvlleindie 02/11/2025 One of the most breathtaking series of our time, and one of the most criminally underrated ones too. Waco’s incredibly faithful to the real life events, which is what makes the prologue and the incident that much more shocking. The show’s cast great, and the dialogue is strungalong perfectly so that you’re learning why everything escalated the way it did, but at the same time you’re not relying on the more explosive parts. Yes the script follows real life down to a tee, but the structure of the storylines before, during, and after are A+. You stay engaged in the prologue without getting bored, and you don’t get fatigued during the climax. See more Valeria M 03/19/2024 La verità non esiste più, ma il dramma e i pericoli degli estremismi militari e religiosi sono resi con intensità e chiarezza. See more E M 11/24/2023 Very hard to watch, but important. The performances are incredible. A gentle, non violent, brainwashed community faced by sociopaths hell bent on violence and are basically killers. The irony in a country were so much is attributed to god, that those in power would not listen to those who actually really believed in gods will. Why in hells name did those monsters seem so convinced destroying people was righteous or even legal. I'm not religious but this was so wrong. I hope those in the FBI in charge were court marshalled. Or something. I want to read the lead negotiators biography, he was a good man in a den of evil. See more Jose A 08/13/2023 Paramount did a great job assembling a great cast. Knowing little information on the Waco Siege has definitely interested me and grabbed my attention when learning of this thrilling and heart breaking story. Michael Shannon showed just how empathetic and serious he was as Gary Noesner. This is an example of American History where both sides were not innocent but also had problem with accountability. See more Read all reviews
Waco — Miniseries

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Jan 24, 2018 Visions and Omens The ATF receives a tip of suspicious activity involving weapons taking place among a small religious community led by David Koresh at the Mount Carmel Center, located just outside of Waco, Texas. Details Episode 2 Aired Jan 31, 2018 The Strangers Across the Street ATF agent Jacob Vasquez begins undercover surveillance on the Mount Carmel compound and befriends David Koresh in hopes of finding illegal weapons or other activity. Details Episode 3 Aired Feb 7, 2018 Operation Showtime With the ATF siege in motion, assault vehicles storm the Mount Carmel compound and exchange gunfire, which begins a 51-day standoff. Details Episode 4 Aired Feb 14, 2018 Of Milk and Men Negotiations intensify as the Branch Davidians refuse to surrender; as David Koresh waits for a sign from God, the lack of food and medical treatment tests both the Davidians' faith and law enforcement's patience. Details Episode 5 Aired Feb 21, 2018 Stalling for Time For a moment, the end of the stalemate seems near when the FBI's tactical division turns up the heat with psy-ops on David Koresh and the Branch Davidians. Details Episode 6 Aired Feb 28, 2018 Day 51 The standoff at the Mount Carmel compound comes to a violent and tragic end. Details
The Mist 58% 45% The Mist Watchlist Waco: The Aftermath 29% 90% Waco: The Aftermath Watchlist 1,000 Ways to Die % % 1,000 Ways to Die Watchlist All American: Homecoming % 79% All American: Homecoming Watchlist TRAILER for All American: Homecoming Knightfall 57% 76% Knightfall Watchlist TRAILER for Knightfall Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Season Info

Network
Paramount Network
Rating
TV-14
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date
Jan 24, 2018