Guy Ritchie’s 'MobLand' premieres with Tom Hardy and Pierce Brosnan as viewers criticise overstuffed storylines

'MobLand' debuts on Paramount+ with a high-profile cast but receives mixed reactions over the crowded narrative.

Paramount+ has launched MobLand, a new crime drama created by Guy Ritchie and headlined by Tom Hardy and Pierce Brosnan, but early reviews indicate that the series may be struggling under the weight of its own ambition.

Despite its all-star cast and gritty premise, viewers have expressed concerns over the show’s overcrowded plotlines and lack of focus in its premiere episode.

MobLand introduces audiences to the powerful Harrigan crime family, led by Conrad Harrigan (Pierce Brosnan), with Helen Mirren playing matriarch Maeve and Paddy Considine portraying their son Kevin. Tom Hardy stars as Harry Da Souza, a loyal enforcer navigating a volatile underworld.

The central conflict revolves around a fragile truce between Conrad and rival crime boss Richie Stevenson (Geoff Bell). When Stevenson’s son disappears after an evening with Conrad’s grandson, tensions erupt, setting the stage for a mob war. This narrative forms the show’s strongest arc, bolstered by Hardy’s performance and sharp direction.

However, the series premiere attempts to juggle too many subplots, including one involving Harry’s deteriorating marriage to Jan (Joanne Froggatt), which critics argue dilutes the drama’s pacing and fails to deliver emotional impact.

While some praised the action sequences and performances, others found the episode disjointed. Social media reactions described the show as “confusing” and “overwritten,” calling for a tighter script that focuses on the core storyline.

Episode two reportedly improves by concentrating on the central conflict, giving hope that the remainder of the season may better balance its ensemble cast and narrative ambitions.

With eight episodes still to come, MobLand has time to find its footing.