Netflix has a new critical darling on its hands. Bass X Machina, the streamer's animated sci-fi Western starring Brian Tyree Henry, has debuted with a flawless 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes. That puts it more than 20 percentage points ahead of Taylor Sheridan's Lawmen series, which currently sits at a respectable but far from perfect 79%.
The show, which premiered on November 3, transports viewers to a steampunk frontier where outlaws, machines, and supernatural horrors collide. Henry voices a father determined to protect his family at any cost, even if it means becoming judge, jury, and executioner in a land where the law is little more than a suggestion. Tati Gabrielle and Cree Summer round out the voice cast.
For fans of Sheridan's brand of family-under-siege drama, Bass X Machina offers a familiar premise with a wild new twist. The threats here aren't just cattle rustlers or rival ranchers—they're mechanical monstrosities and things that go bump in the night. It's a genre mashup that critics are clearly eating up.
A Perfect Start, But Will It Last?
That 100% score comes from just seven reviews at the time of writing, so it's worth taking with a grain of salt. As more critics weigh in, the number could shift. Still, a perfect opening is nothing to sneeze at, especially when it places Bass X Machina alongside some of Netflix's most acclaimed animated originals.
Shows like Arcane: League of Legends and Blue Eye Samurai have set a high bar for adult animation on the platform. Arcane also holds a 100% critics' score, while Blue Eye Samurai sits at 97%. Other standouts include Devil May Cry at 98%, Castlevania at 94%, and Cyberpunk: Edgerunners at 87%. It's important to note that these numbers can be misleading—Cyberpunk: Edgerunners' first season actually scored 100%, but its overall series page averages 87%. Similarly, Castlevania has two individual seasons with perfect scores despite its overall 94%.
So while Bass X Machina's early perfection is impressive, it's not necessarily a definitive verdict that it's better than its peers. What it does signal is that critics are responding enthusiastically to this unconventional Western.
Why Taylor Sheridan Fans Should Tune In
If you're the type who loves watching a stoic patriarch make questionable decisions in the name of family, Bass X Machina has you covered. The show takes that classic Sheridan trope and cranks it up with steampunk flair. The result is a series that feels both familiar and refreshingly original.
Netflix has been steadily building a reputation for high-quality animated action and fantasy. From the vampire warfare of Castlevania to the revenge quest of Blue Eye Samurai's upcoming second season, the streamer is proving that animation isn't just for kids. Bass X Machina is the latest example of that ambition.
For those looking for more binge-worthy options, check out our picks for Netflix shows to binge this weekend. And if you're curious about the series, our Bass X Machina review dives deeper into why it's a must-watch.
All episodes of Bass X Machina are now streaming on Netflix. Whether you're a Western aficionado, a sci-fi fanatic, or just someone who appreciates a good father-protecting-his-family story, this one deserves a spot on your watchlist.
