Critics & Tom Holland Fans Can’t Agree on Apple TV’s ‘The Crowded Room’

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This article discusses the topic of mental health.

Tom Holland is best known for playing Spider-Man, but people are starting to discover his other work. With the recent trailer for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, viewers have been exploring his projects beyond the Marvel Cinematic Universe. One standout role is in the Apple TV+ thriller The Crowded Room, which premiered in 2023, though it’s received mixed reactions from both audiences and critics.

Apple TV+’s series, The Crowded Room, drew inspiration from Daniel Keyes’ 1981 book, The Minds of Billy Milligan. The show explored the complex inner life of Danny Sullivan (played by Holland) following his arrest in connection with a shooting, revealing pieces of his history through conversations with investigator Rya Goodwin (Amanda Seyfried). While the 10-episode miniseries was initially praised as a strong addition to Apple TV+’s original content, it received mixed reactions from both viewers and critics.

Critics & Fans Were Split on Tom Holland’s ‘The Crowded Room’ (And Still Are)

Reviews for The Crowded Room were mixed, with critics and audiences often disagreeing. While some shared positive opinions, most critics found the miniseries overly long and visually similar from scene to scene, as noted by Ben Travers of IndieWire. Many critics also felt that even with a strong cast including Tom Holland and Amanda Seyfried, the story didn’t justify all ten episodes. However, viewers generally loved the performances, with many believing Tom Holland gave one of his best performances yet, appreciating the chance to see him play a more complex and serious character than usual.

I’ve been reading a lot about The Crowded Room, and something that really stood out to me was how people reacted to its portrayal of mental health. A lot of critics, like Roger Ebert’s Nandini Balial, used words like “shallow” or called it a “sob story” when talking about Danny Sullivan’s struggles. But honestly, I felt the opposite! I thought the way they showed his Dissociative Identity Disorder – making him an unreliable narrator – was one of the show’s best parts. It made you constantly question what was actually happening, and that’s what kept me hooked. Valerie Anne at AutoStraddle pointed this out in their review too – it really added to the gripping nature of the show.

Many mental health professionals criticized The Crowded Room for its depiction of Dissociative Identity Disorder. However, it’s important to remember that everyone experiences mental health differently, and many viewers found Tom Holland’s portrayal of Danny to be realistic and relatable.

Typically, a show with ten episodes is considered a complete season. However, The Crowded Room required careful pacing to create suspense and keep viewers engaged, though some critics felt it was unnecessarily long. Robert Lloyd of the Los Angeles Times argued that the extended length weakened the impact and drained the show’s energy. Despite this, many viewers enjoyed the slow burn and appreciated the gradual reveal of information, finding the ending satisfying.

‘The Crowded Room‘s Rotten Tomatoes Ratings (As of March 2026)
Tomatometer (Critics) Popcornmeter (Audiences)
33% 92%

Even after almost three years, people still have strong, differing opinions about Tom Holland’s acting in The Crowded Room. The show itself has both strengths and weaknesses, but Holland’s performance as Danny has definitely left a lasting impression, whether viewers enjoyed it or not. It’s probably unlikely that critics will significantly change their views on The Crowded Room, but that shouldn’t discourage anyone who hasn’t seen it from giving it a try.

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2026-04-01 15:35