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Netflix's most anticipated drama of 2025 concludes with an 'excruciatingly grim' finale, sparking outrage among viewers.

This captivating yet controversial historical drama has taken over the Netflix charts in the last week.

Dane DeHaan and Joe Tippett

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Netflix's top series features an 'excruciatingly grim' conclusion that has viewers outraged.

Caution - this article reveals complete spoilers for American Primeval.

This Western series on Netflix has climbed to the peak of the charts for new dramas in 2025, yet it has sparked considerable debate this year, and we’re only halfway through January.

Featuring a star-studded ensemble, the program delivers a raw depiction of a tumultuous era in American history, which has resonated with viewers, solidifying American Primeval's success among streaming audiences.

Betty Gilpin, known for her role in GLOW, stars as Sara Rowell, a mother accused of murder. She joins forces with drifter Isaac Reed, portrayed by Taylor Kitsch, as they embark on a journey to safely bring her and her son Devin (played by Preston Mota) to Crooks Springs.

The setting for their perilous journey is the Utah War, a brutal conflict in the American West where they confront territorial Mormons, Indigenous tribes, and merciless bounty hunters.

American Primeval has topped Netflix rankings in the UK this past week and is number three in the USA, drawing a sizable audience, but opinions are divided, reports the Express.

Betty Gilpin and Taylor Kitsch

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American Primeval ranks among the most intense series Netflix has produced to date.

Despite receiving a 62% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes, the sixth and final episode has garnered an impressive 88% audience score. However, numerous viewers have taken to social media to voice their disappointment with the episode.

Radio Times characterized the finale as "excruciatingly grim," highlighting the heartbreaking losses of several characters, such as Jacob Pratt's (Dane DeHaan) spouse Abish (Saura Lightfoot-Leon) and Isaac Reed. Discussions are swirling regarding Netflix's new series, which has certainly made an impact with its dark and violent storyline.

Fans are expressing their disbelief and division over the conclusion of "American Primeval," with many claiming, "The creators really mishandled the finale. The deaths of Abish and Reed felt completely unnecessary."

One fan took to social media to express their frustration, stating, "I thought American Primeval was incredible right up until the last episode, and now I'm really angry about it."

One person expressed their frustration, saying, "It really bothers me when shows deliver 5 or 6 amazing episodes for the fans, only to wrap everything up with some pretentious ending that leaves everyone feeling cheated."

With a heavy heart, one viewer expressed, "#AmericanPrimeval started off strong, but the final episode left me unable to continue after just 30 minutes," criticizing the conclusion as "Incredibly disappointing."

Dane DeHaan as Jacob Pratt

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A number of characters met their demise in the series finale.

A fourth audience member voiced their disappointment in the creators, saying, "The ending of American Primeval was mishandled. There was no need to kill off Abish and Reed."

Amid the disappointment, a more positive perspective surfaced from a fan who declared it "one of the finest shows I've watched in a while." They admitted, "It had the potential to be a perfect 10, but the ending didn't sit well with me; still, it was incredible."

One person straightforwardly stated, "The ending of American Primeval is just terrible," followed by a series of eye roll emojis to emphasize their frustration.

Although the reactions have been sharply divided, the raw Western directed by Peter Berg and written by Mark L Smith could still pique your interest—just be prepared for a shocking conclusion that hits hard.

American Primeval can be streamed on Netflix.