The Rainmaker divides opinion as audience scores outshine critics’ reviews

The reboot of The Rainmaker on television kicked off with a sizzling start: A-list cast, slick trailers, and the possibility of reintroducing John Grisham’s courtroom drama to the modern streaming world. However, reviews have not all been positive. It premiered on USA Network on August 15.

Early ratings indicate that critics are not impressed as much as the viewers. Critics argued that the tone is inconsistent with some melodramatic elements and too soft when it comes to the sharp anger the book has. Audiences, however, appear to be digging it a lot more. Social media is abuzz with people saying they are hooked, debating the twists in the plot, and planning binges. The Rainmaker caused such a huge rift; talking about it is almost as fun as watching it.

Critics’ take on The Rainmaker

The Rainmaker has not exactly received the deluge of compliments from the critics. Rotten Tomatoes currently rates the series with a 45% Tomatometer score, while the Popcornmeter has given it about 80%, showing a clear discrepancy between critics and viewers. Where the book and 1997 film drew on legal grit, reviews say the series is more melodramatic and leans on convenience, throwing in a subplot here and an emotional dramatic flourish there, which upsets the balance between urgent and familiar. Lana Parrilla and John Slattery’s strong performances have been cited as anchors, but the pacing issues and tonal changes are hard to hide even behind a star-studded cast.

Rotten Tomatoes’ critics consensus reads: "Stripping John Grisham's novel of its flavor in favor of a more clichéd courtroom format, this Rainmaker adaptation only produces intermittent showers.”

Why are audiences liking the show?

Early ratings on Rotten Tomatoes clearly demonstrate that the audiences seem to be enjoying The Rainmaker. The viewers like the quick pace of the story, the adorable lead characters, and even the soap-like drama or the melodramatic plot twists, which are too much in the opinion of critics. People reason that they were initially attracted to the show by the characters, and then they were hooked by the legal drama, and finally developed a fondness for other minor details of the series, such as its fun background score, witty remarks, and the underdog reputation.

With every new episode aired on Fridays, the online chatter comes and goes almost as if it were an event. The combination of suspense and fresh plot lines appears to turn casual viewers into cherished fans.

The Rainmaker brings scripted drama back to USA Network

USA Network made a smashing comeback to scripted programming with John Grisham's legal thriller The Rainmaker after it stepped away from the scene in 2021. After years of pursuing reality TV shows and sports, USA Network is once again back with their love for original scripted drama. This is a conscious turnback to character-based shows that the channel once prided itself on, shows that focused on dialogue, underdog energy, and a touch of optimism. If The Rainmaker comes back with a new season, it might be able to convince people that scripted drama entertainment is still vital and, additionally, that USA Network has not lost its creative streak yet.

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