User reviews

Gaten explains that there are hidden cameras everywhere, BUT alot of the shots are shaky, which means... handheld! So how does he explain the cameracrew that are holding the cameras? He doesn't. The show just pretends they aren't there.

It's your typical "scare tactic" type prank show and it's pretty funny, except, are we really suppose to believe that this kid is actually directing this???? It's obvious that he's not and they're just splicing in bits of him pretending he's the director and that part is done quite poorly. He's a perfectly likable host. I'm great with him commenting on the prank and coming out for the big reveal, but don't try to pretend he's running things. Other than that, it's a fun show to watch with the family.

Also, Prank Encounters? That's the title you went with? I get that it's a play on Close Encounters, but "Prank Encounters" sounds like a fake prank show in a movie or cheesy sitcom.

First, there's a review earlier that states the host is from super natural. No, he's from StrangerThings. I know that and I don't even watch that show. Now, for the show itself. Where to start? Acting: sub par. Feels really staged (obviously it is) but to the point that the one's being pranked feels like they are acting too. Some of the reactions are a little lackluster, making it feel as if they are in on the plot as well. Camera angles: honestly, there are times when the cameras look like they are right there with them and they know they are being filmed. Pranks: original pranks, funny, not believable at all. Overall, this show has some funny moments and is a great concept, although not an original concept, and passes the time. But very unbelievable

Obviously everything is staged and fake. Bad actors. Actually, terrible actors. You can clearly notice that there are way too many camera angles to go unnoticed by the "victims". Also the new and brandless clothes of everyone in front the camera. Finally you can see that the victims speak very clearly (zero stuttering or mumbling) which is another very clear indication of trained actors.

Scare Tactics was much better. Enough said. :D

Ok, have to say a bit more. The non-actors may indeed have not been actors by profession, but I'm pretty sure they were acting. And the so-called actors were really bad and utterly unbelievable.

This show is pretty fun and entertaining, the reactions from the people being pranked is funny, so what if its not as good as scare tactics? The episodes are short and sweet so they don't drag on longer than necessary, some genuinely great moments. Give it a try if you want some fun easy prankster watching

I have watched the series, and I'm not being a hater or writing lies, DONT WASTE YOUR TIME, The actors are terrible, and not just the 'trained actors' but the 'victims' as well, these people know they're being pranked, the camera quality is too good and there are too many camera angles for these people to not know they're being filmed

I genuinely enjoyed each episode. I made an early decision to not be overly critical and gave myself permission to enjoy it as a kind of guilty pleasure, and I'm glad I did.

One of the best guilty pleasures I've had in a long time. Don't be critical. Just enjoy the show.

Really bad actors and very boring show. Watching this is a waste of time.

So far I've only watched two episodes and while I was at first rather skeptical about the show being decent, I have now come to the conclusion that the show can be brilliant at times. But of course; it's not perfect but then again, nothing is.

Gaten is perfect for this show so I'm really happy that he is taking part in it, but I feel as though quite a few of the 'actors' who are meant to be in on the pranks, are a bit on the amateur side when it comes to acting. The first episode was good and different to any of the pranks that I've seen before (and I've seen many), but the actors just didn't seem to act normal and in a way. It's important for them to not appear too strangely otherwise the people who are being pranked, will of course suspect something is going on.

Anyway, while the first episode wasn't great on the acting side, the story was really good and it did have me laughing out loud at one point! Yes, I was shocked.... and I believe this show is worth watching since the second episode was more believable (with an improvement on acting).

So it's a thumbs up from me. Looking forward to seeing plenty more episodes! I just hope Netflix doesn't decide to on having this show being a short series... which seems t happen far too often.

Don't take it too seriously and enjoy it for what it is - people are too critical.

It's just like Scare Tactics except long and drawn out. I was also really distracted by the one actor's big mushroom hair.

Everyone on the show is an actor and not good at it. You can see camera men in some shots... This is so fake, just horrible

I love prank shows and love Gaten Matarazzo but he really screwed the pooch with this one. Why does he narrate everything that's happening? The constant "cut back to *insert name*" or "Cue the scare in 3... 2... 1" not only ruins the surprise for the viewer but also makes it feel very child-like. We can see for ourselves what is happening. Scare Tactics over this any day!

Some of the pranks have great potential but are not really well-executed. Like there is a long backstory in several episodes and then all these details are not really used to their full potential Of course we want it to be weird and stuff you wouldn't believe, but this takes it to a whole new level of unbelievable.

Also it is widely advertised on Instagram and by Gaten himself that "nothing like this has ever been done". Seriously?

But yeah, still entertaining if you have nothing to watch.

Enjoy this show. Light hearted good fun. I just hope that it's real

Really boring. You made me miss scare tactics so much!

One prank each episode is very little. They fail to pull good reactions from the guests and the dialogue is loooong and repeats itself.

What a fail

I dont know why everyone is trashing this show. This is the best damn thing I have watched in a long time. After watching scare tactics I had been praying for a new awesome horror prank show, looks to me like my prayers have been answered. Thank you Netflix! All these people hating must not have a sense of humor. Please make a second season. Please!!

I enjoyed it quite a bit. One arrogant reviewer called its veracity into question and went so far as to insult the intelligence of anyone who buys the premise...all while grammatically butchering a simple phrase like "low I.Q." Well, I have an I.Q. of over 150, but I'm not so impressed myself as to make strident assumptions about millions of people I've never met. By my estimation, the "victims" are genuinely out of the loop and I think that case can be defended against the hasty aspersions employed against it. It's not a deeply profound show, but it is fun and interesting to see how people react under duress. I think that, much like in real crisis situations, people often remain surprisingly subdued in the face of peril and hope that all the red flags and alarms are not actually spelling their end. It's a bit strange that every male "victim" was gay. Maybe their selection process filtered for certain personality traits that led to that result? I guess it would be unwise to recruit alpha males that could lead to physical harm for the actors. Anywho, I enjoyed it and recommend others ignore the cynicism displayed by some.

To be fair, I only watched the first episode and I could barely get through it. Acting is horrible, dialogue by everything is not believable and terrible, the editing is hokey, storyline was bad, and the host doesn't add anything to the show other than "star power". I only have 2 stars because I only watched 1 episode and I liked the idea of two people not knowing what's going on. Go watch Punk'd instead

I don't know if it's fake or not. The reactions seemed genuine. Either way it was entertaining. It's good for a prank show imo.

Very funny ! Love those running teddybears from episode 1! They should call it Stranger pranks.

Show is so funny, family loves to watch it. Ready for season 2

How can you tell it is extremely fake? 1. Supposed to be hidden camera but the shots are perfectly in frame and in HD, perfectly covering the people's faces and all the action. 2. Cameras are in places that couldnt be really hidden, some shots are coming from places that cameras are impossible to be hidden. 3. Some shots look hand held, like if someone was walking with a camera. 4. No one curses. Funny how no one ever seens to curse, no one seems to ever truly freak out. Reactions are safe for tv. Dialogue is very forced and feels scripted.

Why make a prank show if it would be so fake? Why bother making this?

This time, Netflix is trying to create a show around a second rate, semi-popular child actor, who has no range or talent. The series is simply a "retooling" of a different poorly done show, but like the original, this "reality show" is a fake. It is painfully obvious that it is scripted and all the "victims" are no-name actors paid scale. This is not entertaining, or funny.