Man on the high castle – An alternative history (Review)
What if the Allies lost World War II? What if history as we know it was flipped upside down? The Man in the High Castle explores that terrifying thought—where Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan rule the world. The show is based on Philip K. Dick’s novel of the same name, and honestly, it’s one of the most what-the-heck-inducing stories I’ve come across.
The Premise – A World We Don’t Want to Live In
Imagine a world where Hitler won. Yeah, it’s not exactly a fun thought. The United States is split into three parts—Japan rules the Pacific States, the Nazis control the East, and there’s a neutral zone in between that acts as a lawless wild west. Does it sound dystopian enough? It gets crazier.
People live under authoritarian regimes, resistance movements try to survive, and a set of mysterious films showing our timeline (the one where the Allies won) start surfacing. These films challenge the very reality of this alternate world, leading to conspiracy, espionage, and a whole lot of paranoia.
What Makes It Work?
The World-Building is Insane – The show makes you feel like you’re living in this alternate reality. The details—from Nazi propaganda in Times Square to the overly disciplined Japanese Pacific States—are eerily well thought out.
Moral Dilemmas Everywhere—Unlike your typical good vs. evil plot, this series lives in the grey. Characters are forced to make choices that go against everything they believe in, which makes for some intense moments.
The ‘What If?’ Factor – This show messes with your brain. The idea of alternate realities and fate vs. free will is woven in so well that you start questioning everything. (Is there a version of me in another universe where I finished all my pending projects? Hmm…I’ll probably hire him :p)
The Characters – Who Do You Root For?
John Smith – The Nazi Who Makes You Feel Things 💔
Look, I get it—he’s a high-ranking Nazi official, and by all means, we should hate him. But The Man in the High Castle does something dangerous—it makes you understand him. John Smith is just trying to keep his family safe in a brutal world where stepping out of line means death. It’s painful to watch his moral struggle because deep down, you know there was a version of him in another timeline who didn’t take this path.
Inspector Kido – The Loyal Soldier
Kido is one of those characters who does his job no matter what it takes. He’s terrifying, efficient, and completely emotionless—until you see cracks in his rigid personality. He’s not evil; he’s just following orders in a system that demands absolute loyalty. If history had played out differently, he might have been an honourable war general in another country.
Juliana Crain – Curiosity Kills the Cat
Ah, Juliana. The accidental protagonist. She starts out as a regular person but keeps making choices that pull her deeper into this mess. She’s reckless, idealistic, and honestly? A bit frustrating at times. You know that feeling when someone ignores all warning signs and jumps headfirst into danger? That’s Juliana, every single time. But to be fair, she’s also the heart of the story—the one who questions everything and dares to believe in a different future. Do I like her? NO. In my opinion, she is just such a bad character as a person to have around you.
If Sheldon had access to these films, he’d immediately build a mathematical model to prove the multiverse is real. And Leonard would nod along, pretending to understand.
What Didn’t Work for Me?
The Pacing – It’s a Slow Burn – If you’re expecting high-energy, edge-of-the-seat action all the time, you’ll have to be patient. The show takes time to unravel the story’s layers, which can sometimes feel draggy (probably worse than Suites after S07).
Some Characters? Meh. – While the main ones are solid, a few side characters exist to fill space. Not everyone gets a great arc, which is a bit of a letdown – I mean, you get it.
The Ending…? – No spoilers, but let’s say it could have been better. The build-up was massive, but the payoff felt a little underwhelming.
Final Verdict – Should You Watch It?
This is worth your time if you like alternate history, deep world-building, and thought-provoking storytelling. Just be prepared for a slow build and a few moments of frustration.
If you’ve already watched it, let me know your thoughts in the comments! Did you love it, hate it, or are you still trying to figure out what happened in the end( Sure, I am after watching it three times)? 😂
