Murderbot Episode 1 Review: Apple TV+ Adaptation of All Systems Red Explained

Fans of The Murderbot Diaries have been waiting for this moment for years. Martha Wells’ award-winning sci-fi series, beginning with All Systems Red, has finally made its way to the screen through Apple TV+. With high expectations and a built-in fanbase, the pressure was always going to be intense. Now that Episode 1 has arrived, the question is simple: does it live up to the source material?

The short answer is mostly. The long answer is a bit more complicated.

This first episode introduces us to the world of Murderbot, delivers some strong sci-fi tension, and sets up the central mystery effectively. However, it also makes several creative changes that longtime fans will definitely notice.

Let’s break it all down.

Murderbot Episode 1 Summary

The episode opens with one of the most important moments from the books: Murderbot (played by Alexander Skarsgård) hacking its own governor module. This act is crucial because it gives the SecUnit free will, something that is both dangerous and, in many ways, revolutionary in the corporate-controlled universe of the series.

But the show wastes no time lingering on this internal rebellion. Almost immediately, we see Murderbot assigned to a new client: the PreservationAux survey team. This group is heading to an alien planet for research purposes, and as per company regulations, they are required to have a SecUnit for protection.

From the beginning, the tone is uneasy.

The PreservationAux team is noticeably different from other corporate groups. They are more humane, more collaborative, and far less comfortable with the idea of treating Murderbot as just another piece of equipment. This dynamic is important and is hinted at early on, though the show doesn’t dive as deeply into it as the book does, at least not yet.

Things quickly take a turn when the team encounters danger. During an expedition, one of the members is attacked by a massive worm-like alien creature. The scene is one of the highlights of the episode, combining strong visual effects with real tension.

Murderbot steps in and saves the day, but in doing so, it exposes something it was trying to keep hidden: its hacked governor module.

This revelation immediately shifts the dynamic between Murderbot and the team. Suspicion creeps in. Trust, which was already fragile, begins to crack.

As the episode progresses, the team discovers that their planetary maps are incomplete, something that should not happen in a well-regulated corporate survey. This discovery introduces the central mystery of the season. Something is wrong, and it goes beyond just dangerous wildlife.

By the end of Episode 1, both Murderbot and the PreservationAux team are on edge. Neither side fully trusts the other, and the sense of looming danger is clear.

Commentary: What the Show Gets Right

One of the biggest strengths of Murderbot Episode 1 is its production quality. Apple TV+ clearly invested heavily in this adaptation, and it shows.

The alien planet feels immersive and lived-in. The creature design, particularly the giant worm, is convincing without feeling overdone. The visual effects strike a good balance between realism and spectacle, which is essential for a story like this.

The pacing is another strong point. The episode moves quickly but doesn’t feel rushed. It hits all the major plot beats needed to set up the story while still leaving room for intrigue.

The cast, overall, is also solid. While there may be some initial hesitation from fans (more on that in a moment), the ensemble brings energy to the screen. The PreservationAux team, in particular, feels believable as a group of scientists rather than action heroes, which is exactly what the story requires.

Another standout detail is the inclusion of The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon, the fictional show that Murderbot is obsessed with in the books. Seeing it brought to life is a treat for fans and adds a layer of authenticity to the adaptation. It’s a small touch, but it shows that the creators understand what makes the series special.

Where the Adaptation Falls Short

That said, the show is not without its issues.

The most noticeable difference and likely the most divisive is Murderbot itself.

In the books, Murderbot is defined by its dry, sarcastic, and often brutally honest internal monologue. That voice is a huge part of what makes the series so compelling. It’s not just a security unit; it’s a deeply relatable character who would rather watch entertainment feeds than interact with humans.

In the TV adaptation, that sarcasm is toned down significantly.

Instead, this version of Murderbot comes across as more hesitant, quieter, and even somewhat anxious. While this interpretation isn’t necessarily wrong, it does feel like a departure from the character many readers fell in love with.

Part of the issue may be the difficulty of translating internal monologue to screen. Without constant voiceover (which the show seems to be using sparingly), much of Murderbot’s personality has to be conveyed through action and dialogue. So far, that translation feels incomplete.

The casting of Alexander Skarsgård is another point of contention. He’s a strong actor, and his performance is by no means bad. However, for some fans, he doesn’t quite match the image of Murderbot they had in their minds.

This is one of those challenges that comes with any adaptation. Readers build their own version of characters, and it’s almost impossible for a casting choice to match everyone’s expectations.

Still, it’s worth noting that while the casting may feel off initially, it could grow on viewers as the series progresses.

Changes from All Systems Red

It’s clear from Episode 1 that the show is not aiming to be a scene-by-scene recreation of All Systems Red. Instead, it takes the core premise and adapts it to fit a television format.

Some changes are subtle, such as pacing adjustments and expanded action sequences. Others are more noticeable, like shifts in character dynamics and tone.

This approach makes sense. A novella and a TV series operate very differently. What works on the page doesn’t always translate directly to the screen.

However, these changes do come with trade-offs. In expanding certain elements, the show risks losing some of the intimacy and character depth that made the original story so impactful.

The key question will be whether future episodes can balance these differences more effectively.

Final Thoughts: Should You Watch Murderbot on Apple TV+?

Despite its flaws, Murderbot Episode 1 is a strong start.

It delivers on the core premise, introduces the central conflict effectively, and provides enough intrigue to keep viewers invested. The production quality is high, the action is engaging, and there are clear signs that the creators care about the source material.

At the same time, it’s not a perfect adaptation.

Fans of the books may need some time to adjust to the differences, especially when it comes to Murderbot’s personality. The humor, which is such a defining feature of the series, isn’t fully there yet.

But this is only the first episode.

There’s plenty of room for the show to evolve, find its voice, and lean more into what made The Murderbot Diaries so beloved in the first place.

If you’re a fan of the books, it’s absolutely worth watching, if only to see how this world has been brought to life. And if you’re new to the series, this is a solid entry point into a unique and compelling sci-fi story.

Either way, Murderbot on Apple TV+ is shaping up to be one of the more interesting sci-fi adaptations in recent years.

And yes, the inclusion of Sanctuary Moon alone might be reason enough to keep watching.

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