5.6
Penance fingerprint
Strong craft, light on feelings.
Energy
Nerve-racking
Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.
- Tension9
- Adrenaline4
- Violence4
Heart
Melancholic and moving
Much of it is about family.
- Family Dynamics9
- Melancholy8
- Pathos7
Humor
A little humor
Not a comedy at heart.
- Dark Humor4
- Wit & Wordplay3
- Cringe Humor2
World
The mind, everyday modern life, and family
Lived-in and easy to get lost in.
- World Immersion8
- Dialogue Centrality8
- Rewatchability6
Craft
Standout characters, performances, and storytelling
- Character Depth9
- Intrigue9
- Acting8
Style
Functional look and sound
- Cinematography6
- Editing6
- Music Composition6
Energy
MediumNerve-racking
Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.
Penance is nerve-racking. The story builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.
All energy traits
- Tension9Edge-of-your-seat suspense and pressure.
- Adrenaline4High-energy, pulse-pounding intensity.
- Violence4Physical conflict and intensity.
- Fast Pace3Quick tempo and momentum.
- Scare2Frightening moments and scares.
- Spectacle2Scale and set-piece grandeur.
Related traits
- Slow Burn9Gradual build with payoff.
- Bleakness8Grim, stark outlooks.
Heart
LowMelancholic and moving
Much of it is about family.
Emotionally, it's melancholic and moving. Much of it is about family.
All heart traits
- Family Dynamics9Relationships and generational ties.
- Melancholy8Bittersweet, reflective sadness.
- Pathos7Deeply moving, empathetic emotion.
- Romance5Love stories and emotional connections.
- Catharsis3Emotional release and payoff.
- Wholesome1Heartwarming, uplifting feelings.
- Hopefulness1Optimism and uplifting resolve.
- Nostalgia1Warmth of memory and retro vibes.
- Coming of Age0Personal growth and self-discovery.
- Wonder0Awe, discovery, and amazement.
Related traits
- Character Depth9Rich, complex characterization.
- Bleakness8Grim, stark outlooks.
Humor
LowA little humor
Not a comedy at heart.
Expect a little humor.
All humor traits
- Dark Humor4Humor from taboo or grim topics.
- Wit & Wordplay3Clever dialogue and verbal humor.
- Cringe Humor2Awkward, uncomfortable laughs.
- Situational Comedy0Humor from everyday scenarios and setups.
- Physical Comedy0Slapstick and visual gags.
- Absurdist Humor0Surreal, nonsensical comedy.
- Satire & Parody0Sharp critique and playful imitation.
World
MediumThe mind, everyday modern life, and family
Lived-in and easy to get lost in.
Its world is built around the mind, everyday modern life, and family. The setting feels lived-in and easy to get lost in.
All world traits
- World Immersion8Depth and sensory richness of setting.
- Dialogue Centrality8Stories driven by conversation.
- Rewatchability6Invites repeat viewing.
- Ambiguity6Open-endedness and uncertainty.
- Novelty5Fresh ideas and invention.
Related traits
- Psychological10Inner worlds and mind games.
- Contemporary Realism9Modern, grounded storytelling.
- Mystery8Whodunnits and unraveling secrets.
- Crime6Heists, investigation, and underworld.
Craft
HighStandout characters, performances, and storytelling
The characters, performances, and storytelling stand out.
All craft traits
- Character Depth9Rich, complex characterization.
- Intrigue9Curiosity and investigative pull.
- Acting8Performance craft and presence.
- Narrative Structure8Story architecture and form.
- Direction7Vision and command behind the camera.
- Dialogue Quality7Sharp writing and memorable lines.
- Complexity7Layered plots and ideas.
- Non-linear Narrative1Time-shifts and structure play.
- Meta Narrative0Stories about storytelling.
Related traits
- Slow Burn9Gradual build with payoff.
- Novelty5Fresh ideas and invention.
Style
MediumFunctional look and sound
The look and sound stay functional.
All style traits
- Cinematography6Visual composition and camera work.
- Editing6Pacing and structure through cuts.
- Music Composition6Score and musical identity.
- Sound Centrality6Sound design as core element.
- Music Centrality5The score or soundtrack shapes the emotional experience.
- Visual Stylization4Distinctive aesthetic signature.
Related traits
- Dialogue Centrality8Stories driven by conversation.
Who it's for
Skip it if
Find more like it
Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every show. Select a row to see all of them.
Episode ratings
| Season | Episode 1 | Episode 2 | Episode 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Episode | |
|---|---|
| Episode 1 | |
| Episode 2 | |
| Episode 3 |
About
Loss. Lust. Lies.
Actors
Crew
Titles like Penance
You are here: Penance
Tap a poster to move
You are herePreview
vscompared with Penance
Penance2020 · Show
Point at a poster to compare itHold a poster to compare it
A chip fills to its level. Tap a full one for titles without that trait, a low one for titles with it.
Open a page:Deadwater Fell (2020)Lantana (2001)Doctor Foster (2015)Stay Close (2021)Tell Me Your Secrets (2021)The Family (2023)The Innocent (2021)Baptiste (2019)The Valhalla Murders (2019)In a Lonely Place (1950)Coma (2024)Bloodline (2015)Unfaithful (2002)Light Sleeper (1992)The Asunta Case (2024)Flower of Evil (2020)Wilderness (2023)Panic (2000)Bordertown (2016)Beast (2018)STRAW (2025)Notes on a Scandal (2006)Mithya (2022)Surongo (2023)Time (2006)Ludwig (2024)The Five (2016)Behzat Ç.: I Buried You in My Heart (2011)Sirens (2025)Persona (2018)Sleeping Dog (2023)The Mess You Leave Behind (2020)The Glass Dome (2025)Three Monkeys (2008)Anything for Her (2008)The Missing (2014)Master Gardener (2023)Stranger by the Lake (2013)Innocent (2017)The Unknown Woman (2006)The Silence (2010)No Good Deed (2024)The Gingerbread Man (1998)About Elly (2009)Stillwater (2021)The Åre Murders (2025)Gone Baby Gone (2007)Dead to Me (2019)In the Bedroom (2001)Mother (2009)A Nearly Normal Family (2023)Cape Fear (1962)Kohrra (2023)Wisting (2019)The Girlfriend (2025)Grace (2021)The Ones Below (2016)Una (2017)Loving Adults (2022)Criminal Justice: Behind Closed Doors (2020)The Dry (2021)Presumed Innocent (1990)The Pledge (2001)Wallander (2008)
Sequels and Prequels
Media
Questions about Penance
Quick answers from GoodWatch data.
Is Penance worth watching?
Opinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 54/100 (IMDb 5.6 and Rotten Tomatoes 71%). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.
What is Penance rated?
It's rated NR in the United States. Content advisories: sexual content and disturbing imagery.
How many seasons does Penance have?
1 season
It has 1 season with 3 episodes of about 44 minutes each.
Do critics and audiences agree on Penance?
Not quite. Critics rate Penance higher (71) than audiences (56). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.
When did Penance air?
It ran from 2020 to 2020 and has ended.
What language is Penance in?
It was made in English. Produced in United States.
In how many countries can I watch Penance?
+1GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Penance in 15 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.