DTF St. Louis currently holds an 87% critics' score based on 15 reviews so far on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating a positive early response from TV critics. Reviewers praise the new series' performances, tone, and slow-burning, quirky storytelling.
Among these, Brian Tallerico says on behalf of RogerEbert.com that DTF St. Louis is "too character-driven to be called satire, but it winks at the ridiculousness of all of this, how violence can erupt in the most mundane places in the country [...]." Slant Magazine says, like others, that the show takes an episode or two before settling into its groove, and the writing's empathy is what ultimately "sneaks up" on the viewer.
While most reviews have been positive, not all critics agree on the show's structure. Writing for TIME, critic Judy Berman argues that the murder investigation is actually the least compelling element of the show. The criticism highlights a recurring theme across reviews that the show's appeal may depend on whether viewers are expecting a classic whodunit or a psychological drama.
Bateman plays meteorologist Clark Forrest, Harbour is Floyd Smernitch — the news station's ASL translator — and Cardellini is Floyd's wife Carol. The trio of characters deals with strained relationships, as tensions begin to escalate due to Clark's involvement in Floyd's homelife and his relationship with Carol. This unraveling of their personal lives and the love triangle serve as the backbone of the show.
Bateman is known for his strong performances in Ozark and Arrested Development, two examples similar to the darker, yet humor-filled approach in DTF St. Louis. Harbour, widely recognized from Stranger Things, has drawn praise from critics, many of whom refer to him as the emotional center of the series, while Cardellini (Brokeback Mountain, Avengers: Age of Ultron) brings a layered performance as well.
The show is written and directed by Conrad, known for projects including Patriot, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, and The Pursuit of Happyness. Critics have noted that his work blends deadpan, often darker humor with melancholy character studies, which helps explain why DTF St. Louis plays less like a traditional whodunit and more like a story about ordinary people making increasingly poor decisions.
DTF St. Louis premieres on HBO and HBO Max on Sunday, March 1, 2026, with new episodes releasing weekly.
Release Date
March 1, 2026
Network
HBO
Showrunner
Steve Conrad
English (US) ·