• Network: Showtime
  • Series Premiere Date: Dec 4, 2005
  • Season #: 1 , 2

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 20
  2. Negative: 1 out of 20
  1. Another edge-of-your-seat thriller.
  3. 80
    Ealy and Fehr give fierce performances that will keep fans hooked.
  4. 80
    The action is intense in "Sleeper Cell," and each episode includes at least one stunning moment of violence or betrayal. But character depth isn't sacrificed to keep the pace moving, and there are valuable calms between the storms.
  5. As exciting as the original.
  6. If you can make the time in a season where most programmers think we're all too busy shopping to be watching anything heavier than "Miracle on 34th Street" (the Natalie Wood version, of course), then "Sleeper Cell" delivers.
  7. "Sleeper Cell" is a compelling, kinetic ride that matches "24" in its power and is far more realistic and topical.
  8. 75
    The acting, writing and directing are subtle and graceful.
  9. 75
    The quickened pulse is a plus: The violence registers as sharp, stinging slaps. [11 Dec 2006, p.41]
  10. 70
  11. The show isn't brilliant, but it is audaciously alive.
  12. Violent and sometimes sexually tawdry, as only pay cable can be, Sleeper Cell is not for the faint of heart, but it provides well-constructed thrills with its tour of the morally ambiguous land of counter-terrorism.
  13. A significant improvement in the sequel is its keener sense of urgency and alarm, achieved by down-scaling the exposition and character development that bogged down the first hours of the original.
  14. Reviewed by: James Poniewozik
    While not perfect, [it] manages to be both exciting and--if not exactly realistic--then at least reality-grounded.
  15. Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    Reminiscent of 24 but about a dozen times more realistic (though dramatically more uneven).
  16. Reviewed by: Verne Gay
    "Sleeper Cell" is nicely acted, produced, written, directed, but is still so deeply rooted in the conventions of the medium, that no matter how hard it tries, or how hard it wants to be something else, this still ends up Just TV.
  17. The new edition delivers many of the same thrills and intelligent debate that made the original so exceptional. But the mere act of bringing it back creates problems the original never had to deal with.
  18. It hardly enlightens, and it never feels urgent. It feels like a decent cop drama pretending to be something more important.
  19. 20
    A dreary thing it is, and depressing, too.
User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 15 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 10
  3. Negative: 2 out of 10
  1. CharlesG
    Jan 10, 2007
    I don't know what show the people here who gave this a 1 were watching. "SLEEPER CELL - American Terror" is without a doubt one of the best things ever on TV. This show is freaking awesome, combining great characters, true-to-life stories and terrific production value throughout its 8 hours - which felt more like 4 hours to me when I watched them straight through over 2 days. I guess its all subjective and I don't even want to bring up how much most of the rest of TV sucks compared to this show or others like it but I just did, so oh well... Anyhow, I love both seasons of Sleeper Cell and hope we get to see a third! Full Review »
  2. WareC
    Jan 7, 2007
    Absolutely terrible! And I loved last years mini-series.
  3. AdamM
    Dec 23, 2006
    Great show, makes me sad and want revenge myself! Badass fight in the streets of Yemen as well...