Those About to Die: Where to Watch & Is It Even Good?

The early information about Those About to Die sounded extremely inspiring. A whopping $140 million was invested, and five episodes (the first three and the last two) were filmed by Roland Emmerich, the creator of Independence Day, The Day After Tomorrow, and other disaster movies.

What could go wrong? Well, as it turns out, a lot.

What Is Those About to Die About?

The action takes place in Rome in the year 79. The aging emperor Vespasian is deciding which of his sons will take power after his death: the noble but too straightforward warrior Titus or the clever but debt-ridden politician Domitian. The city is in turmoil: food riots break out due to delays in grain shipments.

Domitian decides that the people need to be distracted by spectacle and organizes an extraordinary chariot race in which four factions compete. Tenax, a betting man, makes money from it. He dreams not only of money, but also of status: Tenax wants to create his own faction to compete with the four already existing ones.

Those About to Die Tries to Be GoT, but Fails

The series is partially and very loosely based on the book of the same name by Daniel P. Mannix. It was this work that once inspired screenwriter David Franzoni to write the script for Gladiator.

In fact, it is easier to compare the new project not to Ridley Scott 's film or even to the famous Rome, but to Game of Thrones. There is also cruelty, political intrigue and epic scenes with swords and horses. Only Those About to Die does not have a fantasy component.

Unfortunately, the authors seem to have been let down by the desire to make a "Game of Thrones at home" — they are in a hurry to overwhelm the viewer with plot twists and characters from the very beginning.

Those About to Die Offers a Lot of Dynamic Action

The most difficult to watch is the first episode, where in the first 15 minutes we see at least five locations and more than a dozen characters who will be important later. But it will get better: gradually all these characters will intersect and the plot will stop jumping around so chaotically.

But the rush will still be there. For some viewers this will even be an advantage — modern series are often accused of dragging out the drama.

Those About to Die is the opposite: 50-minute episodes rush by at a tremendous pace. Each episode ends with a major twist, and the creators are not afraid to introduce some characters, and kill others.

Although the lion fights, chariot races, and intrigue may seem superficial, if you are a fan of ancient Rome, costume dramas, and Sir Anthony Hopkins, you should give this series a chance.

Where to Watch Those About to Die?

You can stream Those About to Die on Peacock in the US and on Prime Video in other countries.