‘3 Body Problem’ TV Review: Netflix’s Newest Drama Has 3 Problems but Jess Hong Ain’t One | SXSW 2024

The past decade has seen an emergence in the popularity of genre storytelling, whether it be Game of Thrones or The Wheel of Time telling grand stories in fictional lands, or shows that craft themselves towards the use of science and technology, Black Mirror perhaps being the most popular of the genre of the past decade. While the genres have always been staples in the growth of television – Doctor Who first premiered in 1963 and still manages an enormous audience – and have always had a place in history, contemporary audiences have grown increasingly enamored with the genres. With such high demand for series like this, Netflix has responded with 3 Body Problem, a big-budget adaptation of Liu Cixin’s acclaimed science fiction series of the same name, created by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, most well known for their work on HBO’s Game of Thrones, joined by Alexander Woo, co-creator and showrunner of The Terror’s sophomore season. An eight-episode season that weaves together the beginning of a story that finds humans searching through space for the answer to survival against the threats of the universe. Starting off reasonably strong before the final few episodes meander into mediocrity, the series is at its strongest when Jess Hong is on screen.

The story begins by providing audiences with explanations into theories of physics, namely the titular three body problem. While the scientific theory is tied to many issues in astrodynamics, it remains a promising concept to investigate in storytelling when considering human behavior. The three body problem is an issue with understanding what happens after a third celestial object is introduced with two pre existing bodies, such as the moon, sun, and earth; there is difficulty in understanding the predictability of the interaction between the three after the third is introduced because of the change in relationship it could cause to the initial two. Understanding that the introduction of a third unknown variable when attempting to understand two that were thought to be predictable can cause chaos can lead to attaching this logic to many things, including the relationships between people. All three creators have proven their adept form of writing complicated relationships – Woo is credited as the writer on the episode of True Blood that introduced Sarah Newlin – so being expectant of that strength could be presumptuous. A group of scientists, Jin Cheng (Jess Hong), Saul Durand (Jovan Adepo), Auggie Salazar (Eiza González), and Will Downing (Alex Sharp), deal with the implications of a decision made by a young woman in 1960s China. Liam Cunningham (Game of Thrones) plays a man whose identity is secretive, but the respect he’s met with identifies him as an important player in the celestial intrigue to come.

A game is introduced to Jin that involves metaphysical problem solving that works towards the survival of different groups of people presented to the player. Using a friend from the outside world, entrepreneur Jack Rooney (Game of Thrones’ John Bradley), Jin moves through levels by developing a deeper understanding of the actual issues being faced. The series presents the game beautifully, the show itself a visual splendor throughout, while also becoming devastating at times when Jin and Jack fail at tasks. They argue with notable scientists along the way, Alan Turing and Isaac Newton included, by allowing evidence of their theories that modern science is able to provide. They question their involvement and how they were chosen to play the game, but mostly curious towards the purpose of each level. The series creates mystery around the levels and gains momentum as the episodes pass, with Jess Hong being a delight on screen as a woman attempting to understand the universe around her without an inkling of understanding when it comes to the people surrounding her. Elsewhere, Auggie is developing nanotechnology to be used to slice through the fabric of layers, hopefully to be used towards the eradication of disease and other scientific discoveries. A countdown begins in her field of vision that’s only visible to her, yet she’s initially unsure of the cause. Will and Saul are both top scientists and best friends, Saul being the more cynical of the group. The stories meld together as the episodes go by, but the show loses steam in a later episode that ends with a bizarre music cue that feels completely out of place. The remaining episodes struggle to gain it back quickly enough to rebuild the previous goodwill created by the beginning of the season.

While the series is fascinating and dives into the deeper meaning of humanity against the universe, the inclusion of almost exclusively scientists as the main characters entertains a monotonous boredom when presenting constant cynicism disguised as scientific fact pretending to imbue realism. The entire season flaunts sixty minute episodes with the exception of two, with almost every character providing factual evidence towards the case of humanity being terrible and deserving nothing while never engaging with an empathetic approach towards the existentialism of life. Humans make many poor decisions, but don’t the exceptional ones balance it out? 3 Body Problem doesn’t present anything of the sort until the final episode, even then only dedicating a few moments to the hope of a better future. Episodes fueled by science and cynicism don’t allow too much of a personal attachment from the audience, at no fault of the actors portraying these characters. There are moments where it feels necessary to have this type of viewpoint, and those moments certainly work for the series, but the constant bashing of hope towards a better future is exhausting. Perhaps a character that acts as a foil to this cynicism could be helpful, and Jin is sometimes that foil, but without this the series can feel tiresome. 

3 Body Problem certainly has its high points, but the convolution of plot manages to damper any goodwill the episodes conjure up with the audience. There are moments that possibly predict greatness, especially in discussions of scientific problems and their effect on humanity, but it fizzles towards the end by not answering enough of the questions posed by the beginning of the season while not offering much else of substance. Jess Hong fights to create depth for her character, and succeeds, becoming the most watchable performer in the series. She brings a depth that feels real in the midst of the complex scientific notions being discussed ad nauseam. While remaining a visual splendor throughout with the visual effects, 3 Body Problem’s biggest issues are its narrative structure and how little attention was placed on the ending of the season. While the series has the possibility of rebuilding itself towards a better show if given the opportunity for a second season using its strengths and ridding itself of smaller flaws, it still remains disappointing for audiences sitting for eight hours to not have a real conclusion to the story yet. 

Grade: B-

This review is from the 2024 SXSW Film Festival. All eight episodes of 3 Body Problem will be released only on Netflix on March 21, 2024.