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Rectify

Rectify

Sentenced to die. Condemned to live.

2013–2016Ended4 seasons30 episodes~60 min/epTV-14Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

After 19 years on Death Row for the rape and murder of his teenage girlfriend, Daniel Holden is going home. His conviction has been vacated due to new DNA evidence. Now he has to return to a world he no longer knows and his reentry into the outside world may be as unforgiving as prison. Daniel is haunted by the past, dogged by the present, and uncertain of the future. As he struggles to adapt to his new life, his homecoming reignites the fears of a small town and threatens to shatter his family’s fragile peace. Daniel’s alleged crime divided a community. Will his freedom tear it in half?

Your rating, lists and review

Where to watch

Where can I watch Rectify?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Rectify streaming on AMC+, Pluto TV (free) and The Roku Channel (free) and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

Subscription

FreeFree

Rent / Buy

BuyBuy

Highlights

What stands out about Rectify?

Rectify earns 8 badges, led by Universally Loved and Top 10% of shows.

  • Rank
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood

Reception

Is Rectify worth watching?

Rectify's Midcredits score is the 93rd percentile of all shows, from 30K ratings across 2 sources. 90% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

93rd percentile

Better received than 93% of shows

94th percentile among Drama93rd percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)89th
Approval (how many liked it)93rd

Acclaim

Universally Loved: Rating-distribution shape vs the catalog

How much people like it

81 /100

89th percentile of all shows

91st percentile among Drama89th percentile among 2010s

Rating distribution

Ratings pile up at 9–10 with almost no detractors — near-universal love.

Approval

How many liked it

90% liked it

93rd percentile of all shows

93rd percentile among Drama92nd percentile among 2010s
90% rated it 7–1010% rated it 1–6

Reach

How many have seen it

94th percentile

29K ratings across platforms

93rd percentile among Drama94th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 7% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Fans praised

  • Aden Young's haunting, multi-layered performance as Daniel
  • Superlative writing, dialogue and character depth
  • Emotionally powerful, thought-provoking storytelling

Detractors panned

  • Excruciatingly slow, stagnant pacing across seasons
  • Premise stretched thin; repetitive, plotless scenes
  • Unlikable, self-involved characters and unrealistic dialogue

What stands out

Acting88

Aden Young's nuanced, haunting performance universally praised; supporting cast also lauded

DialogueDivisive88

Lyrical, meaningful, novel-like dialogue; some critics call it unrealistic and overdone

AtmosphereDivisive85

Rich, immersive Southern Gothic world-building; detractors call it gloomy and oppressive

CinematographyDivisive85

Beautiful, evocative, painterly visuals; a few call it overly indie and slow

CharactersDivisive82

Deep, complex character studies praised; detractors find them boring, monotone, or unlikable

Emotional impactDivisive82

Deeply moving and cathartic for fans; detractors find it relentlessly sad and draining

Plot and storyDivisive40

Slow-burn, character-driven story; fans call it meditative, detractors say nothing happens

PacingDivisive30

Extremely deliberate, meditative — praised for immersion by fans, criticized as tedious by detractors

Preferred by

Under-30s vs over-30s

Preferred by Over-30s

Over-30s scored it 10 points higher than under-30s.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men 3 points apart
  • Critics vs users 8 points apart
  • US vs non-US 5 points apart

Episodes

4 seasons

Season 4 · 2016 · 8 episodes

  • S4E1

    A House Divided

    Oct 26, 201645 min
  • S4E2

    Yolk

    Nov 2, 201645 min
  • S4E3

    Bob & Carol & Ted Jr & Alice

    Nov 9, 201644 min
  • S4E4

    Go Ask Roger

    Nov 16, 201645 min
  • S4E5

    Pineapples In Paris

    Nov 23, 201645 min
  • S4E6

    Physics

    Nov 30, 201644 min
  • S4E7

    Happy Unburdening

    Dec 7, 201656 min
  • S4E8

    All I'm Sayin'

    Dec 14, 201668 minFinale

Watch experience

What is Rectify like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Earnest, dark and charged — a slow-burn watch that leaves you thinking.

ToneFeelDemandexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

What it feels like

Moods
ContemplativeMelancholicTenseBittersweet
Heaviest: throughout
Register
Solemn: Grave and dignified; treats its subject with weight and respect.Tender · 10% of shows
Told as
Nonlinear · 5% of shows: Events shown out of chronological order.SerializedOne continuous story
ToneThe series treats its material with grave, empathetic seriousness, never winking or distancing itself from the pain.
The rideThe series sustains a contemplative, melancholic pressure from start to finish, punctuated by bursts of tension but never shifting register dramatically.
StructureThe story is told chronologically from Daniel's release but frequently cuts to flashbacks of his prison years and the original crime, making nonlinear structure a key device.
Episode formatEach season continues Daniel's ongoing story of re-entry, with no reset or case-of-the-week structure.
Season formatThe four seasons form one continuous story following Daniel and his family across time, without self-contained arcs per season.

How it leaves you

what you carry away
Thought-provokingHaunting · 9% of shows
Why it leaves you this wayThe series lingers beyond the credits, leaving you to ponder justice, trauma, and what it means to go on.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all shows
Monster — 18% of shows. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of shows. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 6% of shows. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 2% of shows. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 12% of shows. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 4% of shows. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 7% of shows. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 8% of shows. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 40% of showsPredator — 7% of shows. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 3% of shows. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of shows. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 3% of shows. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of shows. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of shows. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of shows. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of shows. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of shows. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of shows. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — 1% of shows. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of shows. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of shows. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of shows. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of shows. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 2% of shows. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 4% of shows. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of shows. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — under 1% of shows. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of shows. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 1% of shows. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — under 1% of shows. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of shows. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — under 1% of shows. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 2% of shows. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of shows. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of shows. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of shows. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 2% of shows. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of shows. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — under 1% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 1% of shows. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 1% of shows. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 1% of shows. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 1% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 3% of shows. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of shows. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 1% of shows. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of shows. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 6% of shows. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 1% of shows. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).RebirthHealing
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 18%: Predator 7% · Tyrant 3% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 3% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 6%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 2% · Mission 4% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage under 1%
  • Voyage 2%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 1% · Survival ordeal under 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent under 1%
  • Comedy 12%: Romantic comedy 2% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 2%
  • Tragedy 4%: Hubris 1% · Obsession under 1% · Corruption arc 1% · Doomed love 1% · Crushed by fate 1%
  • Rebirth 7% (this title): Redemption 1% · Healing 3% (this title) · Liberation 2% · Second chance 1%
  • Mystery 8%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 6% · Enigma 1%
  • No archetype 40%

Rebirth: A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed. · Healing: Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).

7% of shows fit this archetype

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeThe series follows Daniel's slow, painful reintegration into family and community after 19 years on death row; the core arc is healing from trauma, not a classic plot shape.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 31% of showsSelf — 27% of showsPower — 7% of showsMorality — 11% of showsSurvival — 9% of showsSociety — 10% of showsIdeas — 5% of showsRomantic love — 10% of showsMarriage — 2% of showsFamily bonds — 22% of showsParenthood — 1% of showsFriendship — 18% of showsLoyalty — 7% of showsIdentity — 20% of showsComing of age — 9% of showsAging — under 1% of showsSelf-worth — 7% of showsAmbition — 14% of showsPurpose — 16% of showsMemory — 3% of showsObsession — 2% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 5% of showsCorruption — 3% of showsGreed — 2% of showsClass — 4% of showsOppression — 2% of showsFreedom — 4% of showsJustice — 14% of showsDuty — 2% of showsRevenge — 1% of showsGuilt — 1% of showsRedemption — 3% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — under 1% of showsSacrifice — 2% of showsBetrayal — 3% of showsDeception — 6% of showsSurvival — 12% of showsWar — 1% of showsViolence — 2% of showsMortality — 2% of showsGrief — 4% of showsTrauma — 5% of showsMental illness — under 1% of showsAddiction — under 1% of showsIllness and disability — under 1% of showsCommunity — 25% of shows. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 3% of showsPrejudice — 2% of showsDisplacement — 1% of showsFaith — 1% of showsTradition vs change — 3% of showsFame — 5% of showsLegacy — 3% of showsFate — 1% of showsFree will — under 1% of showsTruth — 6% of showsHope — 4% of showsNature — 3% of showsArt — 2% of showsTechnology — 1% of showsSelfIdentitySelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 31%: Romantic love 10% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 22% · Parenthood 1% · Friendship 18% · Loyalty 7%
  • Self 27% (this title): Identity 20% (this title) · Coming of age 9% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 14% · Purpose 16% · Memory 3% · Obsession 2%
  • Power 7%: Power 5% · Corruption 3% · Greed 2% · Class 4% · Oppression 2% · Freedom 4%
  • Morality 11%: Justice 14% · Duty 2% · Revenge 1% · Guilt 1% · Redemption 3% · Forgiveness under 1% · Sacrifice 2% · Betrayal 3% · Deception 6%
  • Survival 9%: Survival 12% · War 1% · Violence 2% · Mortality 2% · Grief 4% · Trauma 5% (this title) · Mental illness under 1% · Addiction under 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 10%: Community 25% · Isolation 3% (this title) · Prejudice 2% · Displacement 1% · Faith 1% · Tradition vs change 3% · Fame 5% · Legacy 3%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 6% · Hope 4% · Nature 3% · Art 2% · Technology 1%

Self

IdentityTrauma · 5% of showsIsolation · 3% of shows
Interrogates its theme: Questions its theme without settling the answer.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Single lead
How it treats its themeDaniel must rediscover who he is after 19 years of confinement and a conviction that defined his life, while everyone around him grapples with their own trauma and the impossibility of understanding his experience.
StanceThe series interrogates identity and the aftermath of trauma through Daniel's eyes, asking what it means to return to a life you no longer recognize.

The world

ContemporaryRuralDomesticInstitutionalRealistic
AmbientFolkSupportive music · original score
Settingsmall town in Georgia
MusicThe score is spare and atmospheric, often giving way to silence.

Content guide

Is Rectify okay for kids?

TV-14

Rectify is rated TV-14. As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at moderate (57/100), sexual content at moderate (56/100), language at moderate (39/100), drug and alcohol content at moderate (54/100) and frightening material at moderate (50/100). Its violence, drug and alcohol content and frightening material have too few votes to rank.

Ratings in 13 other countries
  • UK15
  • Canada14+
  • AustraliaMA 15+
  • Germany16
  • France16
  • New Zealand16
  • Brazil12
  • IndiaU
  • Netherlands12
  • Norway15
  • PortugalNR
  • Russia12+
  • Spain12
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
too few votes to rank (7 votes)
Sex & Nudity
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
heavy for a TV-14 show
heavier than 86%
Profanity
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for a TV-14 show
heavier than 51%
Alcohol & Drugs
Moderate
too few votes to rank (8 votes)
Frightening / Intense
Moderate
too few votes to rank (6 votes)

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Too few votes to rank this title overall (74 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other shows that have them.

What content warnings does Rectify have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Rectify?

Cast

Aden Young
as Daniel Holden
Career best: Their highest-reaching show role by billing, audience size and rating.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Abigail Spencer
as Amantha Holden
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
J. Smith-Cameron
as Janet Talbot
Adelaide Clemens
as Tawney Talbot
Career best: Their highest-reaching show role by billing, audience size and rating.
Clayne Crawford
as Ted Talbot Jr.
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Luke Kirby
as Jon Stern
Jake Austin Walker
as Jared Talbot
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Bruce McKinnon
as Ted Talbot Sr.
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
JD Evermore
as Sheriff Carl Daggett
Sean Bridgers
as Trey Willis

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