Californication
Californication
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Californication

"He's in way too deep."

7.7
Yr 2007
Rt 28m
Status Ended
Comedy Drama
Your Verdict

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Series Brief

Overview

A self-loathing, alcoholic writer attempts to repair his damaged relationships with his daughter and her mother while combating sex addiction, a budding drug problem, and the seeming inability to avoid making bad decisions.

Critical Reception

What critics are saying

Score 75 /100

Critical reception of Californication is marked by a divide between its strong performances and its repetitive thematic focus. Critics frequently praise David Duchovny’s cynical, wry portrayal of Hank Moody, characterising him as a compelling, if deeply flawed, protagonist. The show is often noted for its sharp humor and intermittent poignancy.

However, the series faced criticism for its heavy reliance on hedonistic excess and sexual content. While the early seasons were highly lauded, long-term critical consensus suggests that the quality diminished over time, with some reviews describing the conclusion as anti-climactic and failing to live up to the promise established in the show's initial run.

“Duchovny turns in a fabulously wry, cynical performance as Hank... in this adults-only pay-cable series that packs brilliant humor, wild sex, and poignant moments.”

“Perhaps it was silly to hope for more from a show that’s grown accustomed to getting away with much less, but until the series finale, I still believed “Californication” could provide more than purely physical satisfaction.”

“Hank Moody is... a messed up, charming, open character and most all - he is a believer.”

Next Signal

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Why fans love it

Californication leans into the friction between professional ambition and personal disintegration. Set against the backdrop of a hedonistic vision of California, the series tracks a writer whose lifestyle choices consistently undermine his attempts at stability. It operates in the space between comedy and drama, focusing on the cyclical nature of self-destruction and the rare moments of lucidity that follow.

David Duchovny anchors the narrative as a protagonist who is frequently his own worst obstacle. The shifting dynamics between him and his family demonstrate the limitations of willpower when faced with deep-seated addiction. Rather than offering a standard redemption arc, the show provides a frank look at the messy reality of trying to evolve despite a persistent pattern of bad decisions.

Featured Players

Cast

Credited 75
Regulars 6
Longest run 84 eps
David Duchovny
David Duchovny
as Hank Moody
84 episodes
Natascha McElhone
Natascha McElhone
as Karen van der Beek
84 episodes
Evan Handler
Evan Handler
as Charlie Runkle
84 episodes
Pamela Adlon
Pamela Adlon
as Marcy Runkle
84 episodes
Rachel Miner
Rachel Miner
as Dani
12 episodes
Madeleine Martin
Madeleine Martin
as Becca Moody
84 episodes
Madeline Zima
Madeline Zima
as Mia Lewis
48 episodes
Callum Keith Rennie
Callum Keith Rennie
as Lew Ashby
12 episodes
Show 67 more
Angus Macfadyen as Julian 6 episodes Eva Amurri as Jackie 9 episodes Luenell as Rhonda 5 episodes Michelle Lombardo as Surfer Girl 3 episodes Camille Langfield as Sandy Carr 3 episodes Carla Gallo as Daisy 11 episodes Embeth Davidtz as Felicia Koons 10 episodes Hal Ozsan as Ronny Praeger 3 episodes Lance Barber as Nick Lowry 3 episodes Judy Greer as Trixie 4 episodes Chris Williams as Todd Carr 5 episodes Kathleen Turner as Sue Collini 10 episodes Samantha Maloney as Sam 3 episodes Paula Marshall as Sonja 9 episodes Peter Gallagher as Dean Stacy Koons 8 episodes Rick Springfield as Rick Springfield 4 episodes Jason Beghe as Richard Bates 13 episodes Diane Farr as Jill Robinson 9 episodes Mädchen Amick as Janie Jones 5 episodes Damian Young as Bill Lewis 8 episodes Amy Price-Francis as Meredith 4 episodes Ellen Woglom as Chelsea Koons 8 episodes Jory Glick as Band Member 3 episodes Shira Kreitenberg as Band Member 3 episodes Myles Trifon as Band Member 3 episodes Ezra Miller as Damien 5 episodes Maggie Mae Reid as Politically Correct Student 3 episodes Adam Silver as Hank's Student 4 episodes Darrell Britt-Gibson as Darrell 6 episodes Stephen Tobolowsky as Stu Beggs 30 episodes Addison Timlin as Sasha Bingham 6 episodes Rob Lowe as Eddie Nero 6 episodes Jon Kasdan as Director 8 episodes Carla Gugino as Abby Rhodes 10 episodes Zoë Kravitz as Pearl 8 episodes Glenna Gasparian as Dylan 5 episodes Stephanie Hunt as Alice 5 episodes Melissa McFail as Peaches 5 episodes Michael Ealy as Ben 5 episodes Ana Rey as Irma 9 episodes Melissa Stephens as Peggy 4 episodes Scott Michael Foster as Tyler 10 episodes Meagan Good as Kali 7 episodes Natalie Zea as Carrie 4 episodes RZA as Samurai Apocalypse 9 episodes Quin Baron as Stuart Runkle 4 episodes Reed Baron as Stuart Runkle 4 episodes Kinetic as Samurai Apocalypse Posse 5 episodes Ervin Ross as Samurai Apocalypse Posse 5 episodes Camilla Luddington as Lizzie 10 episodes Patrick Fischler as Gabriel 4 episodes Maggie Wheeler as Ophelia 5 episodes Maggie Grace as Faith 10 episodes Sarah Wynter as Atticus's Wife 4 episodes Camden Gray as Stuart 4 episodes Steve Jones as Krull 8 episodes Tim Minchin as Atticus Fetch 10 episodes Michael Imperioli as Rick Rath 11 episodes Oliver Cooper as Levon 11 episodes Tara Holt as Melanie 4 episodes Mary Lynn Rajskub as Goldie 4 episodes Chris Titone as Hugh 6 episodes John Madison Tye as Terry 6 episodes Heather Graham as Julia 9 episodes Alonzo Bodden as Alonzo 5 episodes Jade Catta-Preta as Jade 6 episodes DJ Lubel as DJ 6 episodes
Production Board

Crew

Art Department Assistant
Michael Allen Glover Hyein Ki
Assistant Art Director
Amy Lee Wheeler Douglas Berkeley Elizabeth Hershberger Gray
Art Department Coordinator
Bethany Meyer Laura Whitehead Jeremy Meyer Matthew Klekner
Set Decoration
Debra Combs Timothy Stepeck Casey Hallenbeck Maggie Martin
Painter
Alexx Thompson Drew Pierce
Art Direction
Chikako Suzuki Caroline Quinn
Leadman
Franco Esile David Napoli Mark Sakamoto
Graphic Designer
Dorothy Street
Construction Coordinator
Thomas J. Arp
Set Decoration Buyer
Erin Fite
Set Designer
Jeffrey Beck
Property Master
James 'Skip' Torvinen Philip D. Shea
Assistant Property Master
Hillel Chaim Smith
Production Design
Michael Z. Hanan Michael Wylie Garreth Stover
Signal Match

Similarity

Where Californication overlaps with other shows, and exactly what they have in common.

Keyword Cloud

Keywords

california self-destruction change addiction writer willpower
Technical Sheet

Details

First Aired
August 13, 2007
Status
Ended
Episode Runtime
28 minutes
Origin
US
TMDB Votes
1,283