User reviews

The negative reviews are little more than religious policing. The one star reviews for Mo are the same one star 'blasphemy' reviews you'll find on The Life of Brian. While Mo isn't a satire - it doesn't mock religion - it works as a comedy because it's about a story of ridiculous contradictions and the distinctly familiar, muddling human attempts to make sense of it all and survive.

99% of the bellyaching reviews are critical of the characters not being Muslim enough, the situations not being true to scripture and strict observance of Islam.

But is this not demonstrably true of most religious people today? Most Abrahamic religions do not adhere to ultra orthodoxy, most seek a modern sensibility because dogma denies the personal purposes of faith. I don't need anachronistic dogma to legitimise my beliefs, in fact I blame it for a lot of problems.

Mo is realistic, modern and deeply funny series that is first and foremost about people. It works because it's about experiences we share as humans regardless of - or because of - politics or religion. It works because it gives a perspective we don't often see but with a humanity that we very much understand.

I loved it from the start. Loved the character, loved the lead, loved the story and the script. It was so bittersweet and painful to watch this man getting knocked down, but getting right back up and starting over - and over... My mother was a first-generation American, and her mother went through SO much to give her children a good chance at life. I was cheering for Mo every episode. His strength of character was uplifting to see. So many times, disadvantaged people are not 'seen' by the people around them. This show is hella entertaining, but there's a big truth under the humor - the struggle too many people face every day, just to have the necessities the rest of us take for granted.

Watch this show! You'll be glad you did.

Chinese immigrant here. I love the show so much that I signed up for IMDB to write this review. My husband, an eastern European immigrant, likes the show too.

Mo, you are great, but Maria's acting is phenomenal. The show has just the right amount of everything for a good drama. East Asian director, learn a thing or two from this show, PLEASE! But... I wonder if a Palestinian immigrant who watches the show may have the same feeling as when I watch the TV show fresh off the boat. The storyline is that we can't become lawyers and doctors, so we started to sell yummy dumplings. That's okay!

Anyway, keep up the excellent work! I am waiting for season two.

I really enjoyed Season 2 of "Mo" and watched it all in one go. The series is based on a true story, which makes it even more impactful. Mo Amer's acting is outstanding-he brings both humor and deep emotion to his role. The show feels real, heartfelt, and full of genuine moments that stay with you. The balance between comedy and drama is perfect, making it easy to connect with the characters and their struggles. Every episode kept me engaged, and the storytelling felt raw and honest. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a series that offers both laughs and meaningful insights while shedding light on real-life experiences.

Mo covers a lot of ground, making the political personal, vivid and wholly involving. Amer is a bewitching - I thought long and hard about that word and it's the right one - performer, who keeps tight and grounded what could sprawl. If he occasionally sucks up a little too much of the oxygen at others' expense, it's a price worth paying - especially if it gets corrected in what hopefully will be a second series.

He's at the centre of a strong cast filled with actors who are well known in Arab-language media and rising Arab American stars who are all as able as he is when it comes to negotiating the deeper, darker emotional, cultural and political waters the show ventures into.

Its compelling warmth, however, never leaves it. It is impossible not to become instantly invested in Mo's life and that of the rest of his family, to feel the petty humiliations inflicted on his brother Sameer at work, even if Sameer himself (who, it is suggested, is autistic) seems not to.

You will want to put a fist through the screen at several points on fiercely loving and frustrated Maria's behalf. All while laughing with them. It's a wonderful thing.

Entertaining, funny and real. I have seen Moe's standup show and I enjoyed it. I didn't really know what to expect when I started the series, without even noticing I was already in. It's very short! If there's one thing i'd complain about, I would've loved to see more. For some reason most stand-up comedians when they do fiction it's really bad. Not many comedians can do both stand up and fiction, Mo is officially now one of those few. Also this series gives a voice to a group of people that the world never really was able to empathize with since your voice is hardly heard, and to have that be entertaining in the same time I would call a great success.

New prospective to life where I find it relatable to me, I liked how it's an Arab show done right, authentic and real Arab. And the cherry on top is that I recognised Farah (Mo mom) from before when I was a teen, it's so good to see her acting on Netflix.

I liked it and I want more, waiting for season 2!

The direction is brilliant, and the pacing keeps you engaged. The dialogues are authentic and relatable, mixing humor with heartfelt moments. The cast delivers phenomenal performances, making you root for their characters. I love how it tackles important themes while maintaining a lightness that makes it accessible. It's a shame if people miss out on such a well-crafted story. "Mo" is not just a series; it's an experience that leaves a lasting impression. It truly deserves all the love and recognition! G "Mo," and it's one of the best dramas I've seen! The direction is brilliant, and the pacing keeps you engaged. The dialogues are authentic and relatable, mixing humor with heartfelt moments. The cast delivers phenomenal performances, making you root for their characters. I love how it tackles important themes while maintaining a lightness that makes it accessible. It's a shame if people miss out on such a well-crafted story. "Mo" is not just a series; it's an experience that leaves a lasting impression. It truly deserves all the love and recognition.

Step 1 - Give the show an eponymous title, named after an Arab-American stand up comedian.

Step 2 - Have the lead character struggle to live accordingly to his Muslim principles. Place him in a setting where he must go against these principles to survive. He is ultimately self-destructive.

Step 3 - Provide a diverse supporting cast to comment on different roles of friends/family/genders interacting with the setting around them.

There! There's the template!

As an Arab and a Muslim I like seeing that these shows are being made. I often see online a lot of Muslims getting mad at shows like 'Ramy' and I would assume this one as well for not depicting Muslims "accurately". According to them a Muslim must adhere to their religion perfectly, if not, it's BAD REPRESENTATION. I think what these people miss is that this is exactly the point of these shows. To depict Muslims as people who aren't perfect, who struggle, who are flawed. That is TRUE REPRESENTATION for any ethnic/religious group. Stories need external and internal conflict!

If we want to get to a point where we have more representation, then we need to treat Arab/Muslim characters as we would people of any other group. As people. And people more often than not, are a mess.

I think trailers for these shows (Ramy and Mo) can be misleading. They sell you "Black-ish" for Arabs/Muslims when really it's closer (in theory, not in quality) to something like "Atlanta". Something that challenges characters in relation to their culture, not something that says in neon lights "MUSLIMS ARE PEOPLE TOO".

As for the show itself? It's good. The acting is okay, I like some performances (MO's Mom) but I'm never really convinced when comedians turn to acting; they just play themselves. That being said, Mo handles the more serious scenes very well and I really do like Mo Amer. It's clearly a very personal project and his story is a really interesting one.

SHAMELESS SELF PLUG: If Ramy or Mo see this. I'm also a writer, hit me up! I'd love to write for either of your shows.

Interesting view into something culturally different than I am used to. Great pacing, cinematography, and love the H town music influence. Dj screw, and the crews songs are placed nicely throughout the show.

Engaging plot with some pretty funny situations/scenes. Lot's of good actors and especially hats off to Mo.

Went into this with no knowledge of the plot and bo expectations. Really delivered on an enjoyable experience. Unique and flavorful. Highly recommend and hope it is renewed for a second season. Pretty real feeling situations. Believable.

Unique shows are hard to find and I wish Mo and his team all the best.

To our fellow Muslims and Arabs: don't expect this TV series or ANY other to ever represent the "average" Arab (Muslim or other) or Muslim (Arab or other) immigrant experience.

For starters there is no monolithic profile for the Arab/Muslim immigrant. We run the gamut from complete rejection of roots and heritage, to rigid adherence to a way of life that is not even practiced in the country of origin anymore. And, BTW, the same can be said of any Arab or Muslim population in their homeland. It's just the that the distribution shifts to the latter.

Most of us are somewhere in between. Most of us are probably even "more" Muslim or "more" Arab than Mo, the character, or the real one.

More likely than not, educated, slightly above average income, family-oriented, socially conservative, etc. Yeah, most of us are probably like that. But not all of us. Not by a long shot.

Mo, the series does not attempt to be an accurate portrayal of the average Muslim/Arab American. But there is truth in it. Sure, it skews towards the seedy, and the dysfunctional. But we've all experienced, or wrestled, with those aspects, that some reviewers find so objectionable, to a lesser extent, at least.

It does not represent you. But it is funny. And, the thing is, only you, with your life experience, that this show does not represent, only you can get some of the jokes.

Must watch. Netflix's Mo is a powerful, heartfelt, and refreshingly original dramedy that skillfully blends humor, identity, and the immigrant experience into a deeply personal story. Created by Mo Amer and Ramy Youssef, the series follows Mo Najjar, a Palestinian refugee navigating life in Houston, Texas, as he struggles to support his family, secure legal status, and reconcile multiple cultural identities. What sets Mo apart is its authenticity. Mo Amer draws heavily from his own life, and that personal connection brings a rare depth and realism to the narrative. The series shines in its ability to move effortlessly between comedy and drama- one moment you're laughing at Mo's quick wit, and the next you're hit with the emotional weight of his family's uncertain future.

Was anxiously awaiting season 2 and was afraid they canceled it! It was worth the wait and I love How they have sewn the narrative of Palestinian history, genocide and conflicting feelings of grief as we all watched it play out. But it does so in a way that is honest and emotional while also speaking to mental health, deportations, a broken immigration system and family dynamics. Mo came back with a punch but also a beautiful softness to it that is relevant to all cultures in this moment. From therapy to family history, this season is perfection and better than the first season, which I loved.

Can the low ratings have something to do with the fact that the series centers around a Palestinian/Arab family? Of course it does. If you know you know. Watch it, great show, great acting. I have to write 600 characters, for it to be long enough. But that was the only thing I wanted to share. Are we there yet? 600? Watch it. It's good. Well acted. Watch it. 600 characters. That's a lot. But I'm gonna keep going. Palestine. Great acting. Love the scene in where the mother makes the olive oil. Great song while at it. 600 characters. Are we there yet? Mo is a good actor. Why does this show scores only a 7? It's obvious. It should get an 7.8-8.2. Are we there yet?

Endearing multifaceted telling of a refugee immigrant family in the US wrapped in a barrel of unexpected laughs

A fun brilliantly-directed expression the ordinariness and complexity of the experience of a refugee/immigrant/Muslim/Palestinian/Arab asylum seeker in the US, who also happens to be thoroughly US American. Told with a touch a humour, lots of nuance, and beautiful insights. A rewatching will reveal tonnes of stuff that can be easily missed. And there are layers that you might only get if you're Palestinian, or Arab, or Muslim, or Brown etc.

While I thought the presentation of a Palestinian, Muslim, Asylum-seeker... Might be difficult to present; the show presents the characters with a charm, honesty and emotional depth. All the cultural peculiarities and challenges along with the contradictions, but not dealt with in a condescending way. The protagonist's own hang-ups allow us to be frustrated but also understand those frustrations.

No perfect people. Just relatable characters who bring you into their circle and who you genuinely empathise with and relate to and want to see succeed in their interpersonal relationships and their life goals.

Put Houston on the map... Can't wait for the next season. I started it and finished it in one session.. I loved that it showed different culture of living in Houston. I loved that it showed the Houston rappers . I loved that it showed the Houston style . I loved that it showed the Houston style. I loved to watch my city on Netflix. I was able to call all my friends and tell them hey there is a Netflix show on that's made in Houston .. It was fun to talk about it with my family..I enjoyed it I'm so excited about the next series coming out. Me and all my friends are waiting on it can't wait .. thank you for this series.we need more Houston shows .. ty.

Loved the unique plot and interesting solid characters. Man Tobe was a natural had no idea an actor. I have never seen main character Mo before and just pushed play and was not disappointed.

This show seriously exceeded my expectations. For some reason, I expected the usual stereotypes and cringe-inducing humor that comes at the price of Arab-American dignity BUT instead found a brilliant, funny, poignant human story told with grace and subtlety. So many laugh-out-loud moments (Sameer is the breakout comic star for me!) alternating with heartbreaking sob-caught-in-my mouth moments. Although I'm not Palestinian, I am Arab, so I found the depictions of music, family, culture, identity powerful and deeply resonant - I'm curious to know if non-Arab audiences will feel the same heart-strings tugged? Either way, I'm convinced there's something in this show for everyone. Pure genius. Bring on Season 2 Ba'a!!

Let's start with the statement: There will be lovers and haters just because of Palestine situation in this series but this is a pure review of this series regardless of politics.

Ramy repeated his show "Ramy" with the same successes and failures. Lazy overall writing with few Well-designed drama moments. The main character "MO" is a good entertainment-show host but his performance dropped when he was needed the most. But some characters were magnificent such as the mother and father, Sameer, Hameed, and the two attorneys.

The last episode is a total disaster the crew should've settled with only 7 and called it a season, why it should be 8?

This show had the potential to be something truly special - strong acting, high production value, and a gripping story that pulled viewers into a complex, emotionally charged reality. For the most part, it was engaging and well-made. But all of that was seriously undermined by the final episode of season 2, which not only fails as a piece of television, but also promotes a dangerously one-sided and misleading narrative.

The last episode abandons any attempt at nuance or balance. Instead, it presents a politically charged version of events that ignores decades of history, omits critical context, and portrays only one side of a deeply rooted conflict. The Israeli characters, in particular, are reduced to hollow stereotypes. Their lines feel forced and artificial, and their actions are exaggerated to the point of being almost absurd. It's difficult to take these scenes seriously when the portrayals are so far removed from reality.

Perhaps most striking is what the episode refuses to show or even mention. Nowhere is there any explanation for why Israel built the security barrier or why checkpoints exist. The entire episode treats these elements as symbols of pure oppression, with no effort to explain that they were a response to years of brutal terrorism - including waves of suicide bombings and thousands of rocket attacks that left over 22,000 Israeli civilians dead across decades. This context matters, and omitting it isn't just lazy storytelling - it's dishonest.

The writers could have found a way to explore the human cost on both sides without ignoring the historical facts. Instead, the final episode chooses to simplify, blame, and villainize. It fails to ask difficult questions and instead delivers a message that feels more like a political pamphlet than a scripted drama.

Even on a purely narrative level, the episode doesn't work. The plot is slow and predictable, the emotional weight feels forced, and the intensity that characterized earlier episodes is gone. What could have been a powerful conclusion instead drags, both morally and dramatically.

It's incredibly frustrating to see such strong work undone in a single hour. For viewers who care about truth, complexity, and fairness - especially in matters of life and death - this episode will likely feel like a betrayal.

If not for the finale, I would have rated the series an 8 out of 10. But that last episode was so one-sided, so misleading, and frankly, so boring, that I can't justify giving it more than a 5 overall. A great show doesn't just need strong actors and good visuals - it needs integrity. And that, sadly, was lost in the end.

Mo is a great show.....

Mo Amer and Ramy Youssef have managed to transform the horrors of having to flee your homeland and live in a new place and try to get registered onto the system into something really entertaining and funny.

The serious parts are cut with humour without detracting anything from the seriousness of the situation. And there are lots of feelgood moments about the importance and value of friendship, family and love.

It would be amazing if netflix would renew it for a season 2. I'd definitely wait for it eagerly!

Possibly the best new netflix original I've seen this year...