Knuckles, 2024 Review.

Knuckles (2024) Review – A Fan’s Perspective

I’ve been a Sonic fan since around 2019, on and off over the years. My attention has often drifted into other interests like gaming and tech, so I never really stayed fully locked in. But something unexpected brought me back.

In May 2025, I won two Sonic plushies from an arcade machine. I still have them, and weirdly enough, that moment pulled me right back into the series. Since then, my interest in Sonic has been at an all-time high—and honestly, it still is as I’m writing this.

In 2024, Paramount and SEGA (more specifically Sega Sammy Group) expanded the Sonic universe with the Knuckles series, alongside Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (which I haven’t seen yet). The show landed on Paramount+, and after spotting a deal here in the UK, I decided to subscribe for a month just to finally sit down and watch it.

The Good

There’s quite a bit I genuinely liked about this show.

The “warrior” theme and references throughout really stood out to me, especially the main theme—it fits Knuckles perfectly and gives the show its own identity. I also loved the callbacks to the Green Hill-style world and the games. If you’re a fan, there’s a lot here that feels familiar in a good way.

One of the biggest highlights, though, is Idris Elba as Knuckles. He just gets the character. His performance adds weight and personality, making Knuckles feel both serious and unintentionally funny at times. It’s easily one of the strongest parts of the entire show.

There are also some genuinely fun moments sprinkled throughout. The karaoke scene in Episode 4 is probably one of the most memorable—it’s unexpected, but it works.

The Worse

That said, it’s not perfect.

The pacing can feel a bit all over the place. Some scenes move too quickly and don’t get time to breathe, while others drag on longer than they really need to. It doesn’t completely ruin the experience, but it does break immersion at times.

I also feel like the show sometimes overdoes its big moments. Certain scenes feel more dramatic than they need to be, which can take away from their impact instead of adding to it.

Overall Thoughts

Overall, Knuckles is a solid but slightly uneven addition to the Sonic universe. It has some great moments, strong character work, and plenty for fans to enjoy—but it’s held back by pacing issues and a bit of over-execution in places.

It’s definitely one of those shows where your enjoyment will depend on what you’re looking for. It kind of reminds me of the classic Marmite vs Vegemite debate—you’ll either really enjoy it or not click with it at all. I personally fall somewhere in the middle, but leaning towards liking it.

Final Rating:

7/10

A fun and worthwhile watch for Sonic fans, carried by Idris Elba’s performance and some genuinely enjoyable moments—but not without its flaws.