Peacock is quietly building a sci-fi empire, and its crown jewel just got a major polish. After a solid but unspectacular first season, Twisted Metal has returned with a vengeance—and critics are taking notice. The video game adaptation's sophomore season has roared to a stunning 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, a massive improvement over Season 1's 67%. So what changed? In short: the show finally gave fans what they've been waiting for.
Finally, the Tournament Arrives
Season 1 of Twisted Metal followed John Doe (Anthony Mackie), a courier navigating a post-apocalyptic wasteland after the mysterious "Fall" of 2002. It had its charms—especially the chemistry between Mackie and Stephanie Beatriz's Quiet—but it also had to compete with heavy hitters like The Last of Us and Fallout. Season 2, however, leans hard into the franchise's signature event: the Twisted Metal competition itself. This is a deadly, vehicular battle royale where drivers fight to the death for a chance to have their greatest wish granted by the enigmatic host Calypso (Anthony Carrigan). The tournament brings the spectacle and darkly ironic twists that made the games cult classics.
A Deeper Roster, Deeper Emotions
Beyond the tournament, Season 2 expands the cast in meaningful ways. Alongside Calypso, we meet Dollface (Tiana Okoye), who delivers one of the season's most surprising emotional arcs. It turns out she's John Doe's long-lost sister—but thanks to his amnesia, he doesn't recognize her. This blend of dark humor and genuine heart is where Twisted Metal truly shines. The show has always had a gift for bouncing between laugh-out-loud moments and surprisingly touching scenes, and Season 2 proves that balance is still intact.
Peacock's Biggest Hit Keeps Growing
Even before this critical leap, Twisted Metal was a streaming powerhouse. Season 1 was one of Peacock's most-binged originals, and the streamer has gone all out to promote it—from ice cream trucks at San Diego Comic-Con in 2023 to a full bumper car arena in 2025. The cast is equally invested. Beatriz recently told Collider she'd love to see John and Quiet infiltrate Calypso's world of power and politics. Given the show's recent renewal for a third season, she may well get her wish.
If Twisted Metal keeps up this trajectory, it will continue to lap the competition. It also reinforces that video game adaptations are the next big thing in Hollywood—whether on the big screen or streaming. For fans of the genre, this is one ride you don't want to miss.
For more on how other franchises are faring, check out our look at the sci-fi franchises you can't quit. And if you're curious about other Peacock projects, we've got the scoop on why the Clueless reboot was scrapped.
