Kaley Cuoco on a phone call in VanishedCredit: MGM+/Prime Video
By
El Kuiper
Published Jan 30, 2026, 8:09 PM EST
El is a Senior news and reviews writer for ScreenRant, with previous experience as The Mary Sue's UK and Weekend Editor. She holds a Bachelor's in International Media and Entertainment Management, as well as an MA and Ph.D. in Creative Writing. There is little she loves more than discussing her favorite TV shows with fellow fans. One day, she hopes to publish an original fantasy novel.
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Rotten Tomatoes has revealed the debut Tomatometer score for Kaley Cuoco's highly anticipated new mystery thriller, Vanished. In Vanished, archaeologist Alice Munroe's (Cuoco) world is turned upside down when her long-distance, long-time boyfriend, Tom (Sam Claflin), mysteriously vanishes from a train heading to Marseille. When her search for Tom threatens to destroy their relationship and unveil a dark conspiracy, Alice becomes more determined than ever to discover the truth.
Following the success of her Emmy-nominated turn in the darkly comedic thriller The Flight Attendant and her role in the recently canceled mystery comedy Based on a True Story, Vanished represents a new step in Cuoco's career. While the actress has always excelled in comedic roles, Vanished offers much less humor and more fast-paced dark drama, as her character takes charge of a terrifyingly dangerous situation.
The first reviews for Vanished were published in the early hours of Friday, January 30, and the initial results are now in on Rotten Tomatoes. At the time of writing, Vanished boasts an 83% critics' score based on six reviews.
Five reviews were deemed "Fresh," while one review was considered "Rotten." The debut Tomatometer score for Vanished is lower than The Flight Attendant's total score (91%) and slightly higher than Based on a True Story's total critics' score (78%). More incoming reviews could still affect the MGM+ limited series' final result, however. The show's first episode will premiere later this weekend.
Most critics agree that Cuoco shines in the lead role and that the swift pacing in Vanished works in the story's favor. Critic Brittany Frederick wrote that "Cuoco isn’t too far off from the Emmy-nominated performance she gave in HBO Max’s The Flight Attendant, similarly pushing Vanished forward with her stubbornness and understandably snarky attitude."
RogertEbert.com's Richard Roeper wrote that Vanished "vibes a bit like a late 1960s/early 1970s thriller," and that it was a "tightly spun, keep-‘em-guessing mystery that unspools in just four densely plotted episodes."
Other reviewers noted several issues with the plot, however. The Los Angeles Times wrote that Vanished "lacks spark and suspense," while CBR said that the premise was "paper-thin." ScreenRant's own Vanished review noted that the show is also missing a "compelling, or at the very least, terrifying, villain."
Starring alongside Cuoco and Sam Claflin in Vanished are Karin Viard (The Bélier Family) as investigative journalist Hélène, who helps Alice unravel the mystery of Tom's disappearance — and may or may not have her own motives for doing so — Matthias Schweighöfer (Oppenheimer) as Tom's philanthropist co-worker, Alex, Simon Abkarian (Casino Royale) as the gruff Inspector Drax, and Dar Zuzovsky (The Saints) as another one of Tom's more secretive colleagues.
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Want deeper context on Vanished and today's TV trends? Subscribe to our newsletter for concise, expert coverage and analysis of new shows, performances, and critics' consensus — perfect for readers who follow TV and film releases closely. Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.What general audiences will think of Vanished remains to be seen. Given the four-part limited series' debut Rotten Tomatoes score, however, there's every chance Kaley Cuoco and Sam Claflin will have yet another trendy hit to add to their impressive resumes.
Vanished premieres on MGM+ on February 1 in the US, Spain, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Latin America, with new episodes airing weekly on Sundays until February 22. The season will drop in full on Prime Video on February 27 in the UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Vanished
Like Follow Followed Drama Mystery Thriller Release Date February 1, 2026 Network Prime Video Directors Barnaby ThompsonCast
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Kaley Cuoco
Alice
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Sam Claflin
Tom
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Karin Viard
Hélène Lando
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Matthias Schweighöfer
Alex Durand
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Vanished
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