By Josh Nason
One of the first quarter’s most intriguing looking shows — HBO Max’s DTF St. Louis — has now wrapped.
If you haven’t checked it out yet and are on the fence, here’s a non-spoiler review of the one-and-done series that should give you everything you need to make a decision. If not, let me know what else you need…other than folding laundry. I hate doing that which my closet floor will attest to.
Anyway, let’s get to it.
Should you watch DTF St. Louis (HBO Max)?
How many seasons?
One and that’s a wrap.
How many episodes?
Seven.
What type of show is it?
Dark dramedy
When did it come out?
2026
What’s the commit level?
Just 356 minutes so just under six total hours. You can shave off 21 total minutes by skipping the credits.
Where can I currently find it?
HBO Max.
What’s it about?
Based in, wait for it, St. Louis, a local weatherman (Jason Bateman) makes a new friend at his TV station (David Harbour) after he saves his life. A cornhole party then brings Bateman, Harbour and Harbour’s wife (Linda Cardellini) together and everything erodes from there, thanks to a new app: DTF St. Louis.
And a dead body starts it all, as it always seems to do.
Who is it for?
Adults who enjoy some dark comedy with occasional weirdness and sadness in an original show that takes some chances.
Is there a bailout episode?
I’d give this two episodes before you consider GFTO St. Louis.
Any interesting background in the show’s creation?
First developed in 2022, Hollywood writer Steven Conrad (Patriot, Wonder, The Pursuit of Happyness, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty) wrote, directed, show ran, and produced this. Originally, Pedro Pascal was slated for the Bateman part but bailed in October 2024. It was filmed in May 2025 in Georgia.
Are there actors the average TV watcher would recognize?
Jason Bateman, David Harbour, Linda Cardellini, Richard Jenkins, Peter Sarsgaard
What’s the reaction been?
Metacritic has the average at 71 (generally favorable) while Rotten Tomatoes has an 89/71 split which is also very good. I’m writing this about 48 hours after the series wrapped so no awards nominations are out yet, but I’d expect this to get a few.
What’s the rewatchability factor?
Low, but it’s one of those where you could watch it back someday to see how the story came together.
If you like these shows, you’ll like this one:
The Studio, Black Rabbit, Barry, The Rehearsal
Is this a first or second screen show?
First.
Should you watch DTF St. Louis?
Based on the first trailer, I was super intrigued as I love Bateman and enjoy Harbour’s work as well. It seemed quirky, well made, and was given the HBO Sunday night prime slot which means the network believed in it too.
There were definitely times watching it where I scratched my head a bit (there’s a few recurring lines which puzzled me until they were explained), but the show kept both myself and my wife intrigued until the end which is ultimately all you can ask for.
It’s not a straightforward drama and will require you to be comfortable with bizarre behaviors or mannerisms or exchanges. If you are more of the CBS drama club, this ain’t for you. There’s one side story in particular regarding umpiring which never quite did it for me and I’m not sure why it was in there.
There’s a lot of that in DTF so prepare to become uncomfortable at times. That’s another reason to put your phone down. It’s an experience, but I’m glad they took the shot and made something weird. I love that for them.
All the acting is good to great. Harbour will leave you wanting to give him a hug while Joy Sunday (who I had never heard of) is tremendous. Everything works.
The show looks great, and if you’re committed, it will leave you thinking and with a few leftover questions. It’s a one and done so you’re left with what you’re left with.
Ultimately, I think DTF St. Louis is worth watching. It’s not an A+ hit, but a solid B and one that I wasn’t disappointed that I committed the time to.
