Stuart Fails to Save the Universe – Review | HBO

STUART FAILS TO SAVE THE UNIVERSE on HBO Max is a The Big Bang Theory spin-off. The series features an apocalyptic multiverse story, where you will get a little bit of virtually every genre, which I loved. Season 1 has 10 episodes, and now I cannot wait for season 2. Read our full Stuart Fails to Save the Universe S1 review here!

STUART FAILS TO SAVE THE UNIVERSE is an HBO series with a ten-episode season. I was very fortunate that I was able to watch all 10 episodes for this review, so I did. In one sitting. And I cannot wait for season 2. The episodes are all under half an hour and end with the beginning of the next episode.

What a way to keep you hooked. If I were waiting for weekly releases, I would have a blast making this one last longer than just one long evening of nerding out and having a geeking great time. This is made as a hyper-genre mix, so you can look forward to virtually every genre.

And yes, it does get quite bloody and violent at times.

Continue reading our Stuart Fails to Save the Universe S1 review below. Start watching on HBO and HBO Max on July 23, 2026.

Do you have to know The Big Bang Theory series?

First things first: Many will wonder if they have to have watched The Big Bang Theory series? While fans of that series will most likely be a built-in audience, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe is ideal for all genre fans.

So, no, you do not have to be a fan (or even have watched) The Big Bang Theory. However, it will greatly help you catch all the references and know the characters and/or actors who show up along the way.

Watching The Big Bang Theory has always been a little treat for me. The kind of show I would binge-watch if I were feeling a little under the weather or travelling halfway across the world. What can I say, I just am not good at sleeping on long flights, so usually I watch any and every episode of sitcoms available on the flight.

Anyway, as much as I am familiar with the characters and shenanigans of The Big Bang Theory, my editor is not. She watched Stuart Fails to Save the Universe with me, and except for a few moments, where I explained a connection, she could keep up just fine.

I mean, she also wanted to keep watching all the episodes of season one in that one sitting, which should tell you all you need to know; Stuart Fails to Save the Universe is a lot of fun for genre fans. Yes, including those who never really watched (nor cared for) the show this originates from.

Our fate in the hands of Stuart Bloom?

The core plot of Stuart Fails to Save the Universe is very simple. We follow Stuart Bloom (Kevin Sussman), a comic book store owner, who is in a world that looks like ours, but clearly is not. Yes, we begin in another part of the multiverse.

Here, Stuart suddenly stands face-to-face with himself and receives a huge task that he must solve.

The thing is, Stuart accidentally broke a device built by Sheldon and Leonard in the world we live in. This unfortunate event led to bringing about a multiverse Armageddon. So, now Stuart needs to fix what he broke, to make sure we can all survive… in all the universes that exist.

Lots of cameos and guest stars

He is aided by his girlfriend Denise (Lauren Lapkus), his geologist friend Bert (Brian Posehn), and the quantum physicist Barry Kripke (John Ross Bowie). Fans of The Big Bang Theory will know that Barry Kripke is extremely annoying, which those who do not know him will also learn. Very quickly!

On their mission to save the entire multiverse, they will all meet alternate-universe versions of themselves. However, we will (obviously, I’d say) also come across alternate-universe versions of characters from The Big Bang Theory.

Without giving away spoilers, I can say that things will not go well. As a result, each episode will show us how Stuart fails his mission in yet another universe. Also, I am not allowed to (nor would I, in any case) give spoilers for which beloved actors will appear in this spin-off.

However, I can say that you have lots of treats in store!

Start watching Stuart Fails to Save the Universe on HBO

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe was created, written, and executive-produced by Chuck Lorre, Zak Penn (Free Guy, Ready Player One), and Bill Prady (The Big Bang Theory). Chuck Lorre Productions produces the spin-off series in association with Warner Bros. Television.

Kyle Newacheck (Stranger in the Woods, What We Do in the Shadows series) executive produces and directs multiple episodes.

Personally, I especially loved Lauren Lapkus in Stuart Fails to Save the Universe. Obviously, Kevis Sussman is perfect as Stuart, while Stuart himself is often making all the wrong choices. Also, Brian Posehn’s “Bert” is virtually the heart of the show, while John Ross Bowie’s “Kripke” is sort of a villain in many cases.

Also, I really enjoyed how this show went all-out in paying tribute to all kinds of genres. You will see monsters, and whenever a new universe looks very similar to our own, just wait. It is never quite the same. And often it differs in ways that could be the stuff of horror movies. Or sci-fi thrillers.

It often gets dark, is what I’m getting at. Sometimes very dark!

Despite my loving this spin-off genre craziness, I am giving this a 3 out of 5 stars. While some episodes are solid 4s, I have to acknowledge that several episodes are closer to an average 3, which is why this is also the overall rating for season 1. For me, it was fairly close to 4, so do with that what you will… and just watch for yourself.

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe premieres on HBO and HBO Max on July 23, 2023.

Details

Creators: Chuck Lorre, Zak Penn, Bill Prady
Director: Kyle Newacheck
Cast: Kevin Sussman, Lauren Lapkus, Brian Posehn, John Ross Bowie