Critics Weigh In on MGM+'s 'The Westies' as Crime Drama Premieres Tonight

'The Westies' is making its debut on MGM+ tonight, and the critical response is already rolling in.

The first season launches at 9 p.m. ET on Sunday, July 12, bringing viewers into the world of New York City's notorious Irish gang during the early 1980s. The story unfolds as the construction of the Jacob Javits Convention Center threatens to reshape Hell's Kitchen, the gang's home territory. Though vastly outnumbered by the Five Families of the Italian Mafia—with odds stacked fifty-to-one against them—the Westies have maintained their position through a combination of legendary brutality and strategic cunning. A delicate balance of power keeps the peace, but tensions between ambitious younger members and entrenched leadership could ignite a conflict that draws federal attention.

The ensemble cast features J.K. Simmons, Titus Welliver, Tom Brittney, Stanley Morgan, Sarah Bolger, Jessica Frances Dukes, Hamish Allan-Headley, Vincent Walsh, Allen Leech, and Hillary McCormack.

On the critical front, 'The Westies' has secured an 80% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with reviewers offering a range of perspectives on the series.

RogerEbert.com gave the show 3 out of 4 stars, describing it as "a well-crafted, B-movie version of Scorsese—elevated by electric performances from a stellar cast led by J.K. Simmons and Titus Welliver."

Decider acknowledged the strengths of its leads, noting: "The Westies is a serviceable crime drama thanks to the performances of Simmons and Welliver and the potential for their stories to yield interesting drama. The rest of the show is OK, but nothing that will stick in our minds after we watch the series."

TV Guide handed out a 7 out of 10, calling it "fast-paced, cleverly plotted, well played, and never less than compelling."

Collider scored it 6 out of 10, suggesting "If you're a fan of tough men doing bad things and traditional tales of underworld crime, then you'll likely have a good time."

Variety took a more critical stance, writing: "It's just a crime show about an uninteresting group of criminals whose dying lifestyle there's no reason to mourn."

The Hollywood Reporter offered a pragmatic take: "If all you're searching for is a generic crime drama to look pretty on your flatscreen while you cook dinner or answer emails, you could do worse than The Westies."

The Guardian awarded 3 out of 5 stars, with reviewers concluding: "With some sturdy players in the cast, The Westies is … OK. It's fine. It's good! Whaddaya want from me, uh? I said it was fine."