Why The Handmaid’s Tale Series Finale Bombed on IMDb

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Warning: This article includes SPOILERS for The Handmaid’s Tale season 6!

The final episode of “The Handmaid’s Tale” on Hulu holds the unfortunate distinction of being the series’ lowest-rated episode on IMDb, sparking discussions about what might have gone wrong during its production. Originating in the late 2010s as part of the wave of dystopian adaptations, “The Handmaid’s Tale” was based on Margaret Atwood’s novel of the same name, which was published in 1985. The series portrays a totalitarian society that emerged after the Second American Civil War, where fertile women are forced to serve as reproductive slaves. After six seasons, the show has concluded its run, and there will be no “The Handmaid’s Tale” season 7.

Despite experiencing periods of varying viewership, “The Handmaid’s Tale” has consistently garnered high praise from both critics and viewers. The narrative is compelling, and the creation of Gilead is meticulously done, making it feel authentic. Moreover, the show boasts a talented cast capable of portraying intricate and multifaceted characters. It’s surprising that the series finale, rated poorly on IMDb, stands as the lowest-rated episode in the show’s history. However, this low score may be a reflection of the dissatisfaction among disgruntled fans.

How The Handmaid’s Tale Series Finale IMDb Rating Compares To Other Episodes

The Handmaid’s Tale Has Maintained High Ratings On IMDb

The last installment of “The Handmaid’s Tale” received a 5.7 out of 10 on IMDb, which is the lowest rating for any episode in the series and is the only one below 6 stars. Out of all episodes in the show, this finale is the only one that doesn’t rank above 7 stars, demonstrating how highly the entire series has been appreciated.

The final episode of “The Handmaid’s Tale” Season 6 received a surprisingly average rating of 6.7 compared to other episodes in the season. The only other episode that comes close is “Promotion,” which also has a relatively low score of 6.7, based on 1,300 ratings. Interestingly, the episode right before the finale scored an impressive 9.2 with 3,500 ratings, making the lower rating of the final episode even more noticeable.

The 5.7-rating for the latest episode of “The Handmaid’s Tale” is surprising given that the finales of the previous five seasons are among the highest-rated episodes, earning ratings of 9 stars, 8.5 stars, 9.3 stars, 8.6 stars, and 8.3 stars respectively. It’s hard to justify the lower rating for “The Handmaid’s Tale” finale as a simple difference in the number of reviews. Even if the series finale miraculously received 10-star ratings en masse, it still wouldn’t reach the level of the others without significantly more reviews.

The Handmaid’s Tale Finale Has Proved Divisive For Not Resolving June’s Story

June’s Entire Character Arc Centered On Reuniting With Hannah, But It Never Happens

Viewers of “The Handmaid’s Tale” have expressed dissatisfaction with the finale due to its incomplete nature, as June’s story doesn’t receive a fully satisfying resolution. While it is nice to see the show conclude by bookending with a book, fans were anticipating more than just June writing “The Handmaid’s Tale.” This narrative twist may align with Margaret Atwood’s original novel, where the protagonist writes the book, but it feels contrived given that two characters suggest it so closely together.

In June’s storyline throughout much of June in “The Handmaid’s Tale,” her primary goal has been to be reunited with her daughter. Her desire for Hannah is what motivates most of her actions. Regrettably, the season finale doesn’t bring about June and Hannah’s reunion. Instead, June writes a book that Hannah can read when she grows older. The moment when Hannah and June are finally reunited will be explored in “The Testament,” a spin-off show based on Margaret Atwood’s second Handmaid novel.

Leaving the story incomplete at the end of The Handmaid’s Tale is quite a risky move by its creative team. They’re essentially wagering on viewers being interested enough to watch The Testament, the sequel series. However, judging from social media responses, it seems that numerous fans aren’t inclined to watch the follow-up show, meaning they may not find the resolution they crave.

The Handmaid’s Tale Series Finale Was Slower-Paced & Very Focused On June

The Hulu Show Narrowed Its Focus Too Much On June In The Finale

A criticism concerning the finale of The Handmaid’s Tale series is the sudden shift in tempo and narrative focus. The ninth season had a powerful sense of progression, leading us to anticipate a more intense resolution. Combining episodes 9 (the highest-rated episode) and 10, while trimming down numerous close-ups and slow motion scenes, could have made for a more engaging conclusion. Regardless of their intentions regarding the Hannah and June storyline, maintaining the season’s momentum until the very end would have been beneficial.

In contrast, the final episode of The Handmaid’s Tale season 6 seemed to embody the essence of TS Eliot’s quote, “He would not go with a bang but with a whimper.” The ending was unusually quiet and contemplative, which felt more introspective than anticipated. This transition from action to reflection appeared abrupt, creating an unexpected and somewhat jarring effect.

In contrast to the previous seasons which focused on several key characters in The Handmaid’s Tale, season 6 seems to primarily focus on June’s storyline. Characters such as Moira, Luke, Lydia, and Janine have taken a back seat. This has left many fans feeling that the relationship between June and Luke, which was left unresolved, did not receive a satisfactory conclusion. As a result, some viewers believe that the final episode fell short of their expectations.

Ending The Handmaid’s Tale Was Always Going To Be Difficult

Many Factors Made The Ending Of The Handmaid’s Tale An Impossible Task

In the end, while fans of “The Handmaid’s Tale” may feel justified in their upset, it is important to acknowledge the challenging task the creative team faced in crafting a satisfying conclusion. With Margaret Atwood’s acclaimed novel serving as the foundation for only the first season of the Hulu series, it was nearly impossible for them to adhere strictly to the book’s ending in the finale episode. Given that June’s story in the novel does not culminate in a definitive resolution, even “The Testaments” leaves her future uncertain.

Beyond that, “The Handmaid’s Tale” has run for eight seasons and sixty episodes, with a devoted fanbase to boot. The affection for this series has only intensified as it has mirrored societal issues more closely over time. With such towering anticipation leading up to the finale, meeting those expectations would have required nothing short of a miracle.

In the end, The Handmaid’s Tale had to wrap up one series while also setting the stage for another. Since The Testaments has already been confirmed, The Handmaid’s Tale couldn’t interfere with its narrative. However, it needed to offer some resolution to the story. In hindsight, the fact that The Handmaid’s Tale’s finale received mixed reviews, leaning slightly positive instead of being universally panned, can be considered a success in a roundabout way, even if it didn’t meet its full potential.

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2025-06-03 02:18