Amsterdam Empire Series Review: Finally, after a long wait, Netflix Netherlands’ latest release, “Amsterdam Empire”, was released on October 30, 2025. The 7-episode series promises high drama and revenge and gives us an inside look at the Dutch cannabis empire. However, with so much potential, the series feels flat. The series is led by Famke Janssen, but it struggles to find its identity.
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Amsterdam Empire Series Overview and Rating
- Streaming Date: 30th October, 2025
- Streaming platform: Netflix
- Genre: Crime, Drama
- Season 1 Episodes: 7
- Runtime: 40-52 Minutes
- Rating: “A”
- Language: Dutch
- Directors: Jonas Govaerts & Max Porcelijn
- Writers: Nico Moolenaar, Piet Matthys, & Bart Uytdenhouwen
- Stars: Famke Janssen, Jacob Derwig, Elise Schaap, Jade Olieberg, Yannick van de Velde, Jesse Mensah, Bart Slegers, Romana Vrede, Victor Löw, and Raymond Thiry
- Rating: 1/5
Amsterdam Empire Series Story
“Amsterdam Empire” begins with a promise. Janssen plays Betty Van Doorn. Betty Van Doorm is a former pop star and the soon-to-be ex-wife of a powerful cannabis tycoon, Jack Van Doorn (Jacob Derwig). Jack is the owner of The Jackal, which is a chain of successful coffee shops that deal in legal cannabis strains. But behind his business empire lies a world of deceit, which involves years of cheating and manipulation that finally push Betty over the edge.
Jack reveals he wants a divorce and a new life with his TV anchor lover, Marjolain (Elise Schaap). Betty decides to destroy him completely. This plot sounds interesting as it is then followed by a bitter war between two egos, filled with betrayal, jealousy, and ambition, but the series fails to transform this intriguing premise.
The Creative Team and Missed Potential
The creators, which include Nico Moolenaar, Piet Matthys, and Bart Uytdenhouwen, have previously found success with Netflix crime dramas like “Undercover and Ferry.” Following that track record, it was expected that the Amsterdam Empire would be bigger too. The combination of this experienced trio and Janssen’s Hollywood background was nothing less than a dream match.
However, the series quickly takes on a confused mix of soap opera melodrama and crime thriller, which never fully commits to either. Its tonal inconsistency is a huge setback, which makes it difficult for viewers to invest emotionally in the characters or the story.
Amsterdam Empire Cast Performances
Janssen gives it her all, as she was visibly enjoying the chance to play a scorned woman with flair. But the writing turns her character into a stereotype. She is shown as a glamorous diva out for revenge with no real emotional grounding. Her elaborate revenge schemes feel exaggerated.
Derwig’s portrayal of Jack is very flat, as it lacks depth as well. The series attempts to humanize him, but his role is very poorly scripted, and it comes off as hollow, which leaves viewers uncertain whether to sympathize with or despise him. Moreover, the presence of supporting characters like Katya (Jade Olieberg) and his business associates is introduced, and they are forgotten just as quickly, which adds little to the main plot.
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Amsterdam Empire Drawback
Amsterdam Empire suffers most from its writing. The narrative is mixed, as it keeps jumping between storylines with no sense of rhythm or coherence. Subplots involving a partner’s sick wife are left incomplete, and they are dropped without resolution. Action scenes are minimal. And the few dramatic sequences fail to create tension.
Visually, the show has moments of style, especially in its depiction of Amsterdam’s elite cannabis circles. But these moments are often unable to save a story that feels emotionally empty.
Baap of Movies Final Verdict
All in all, “Amsterdam Empire” had a very talented cast and scope, which ended up being one of Netflix Netherlands’ most disappointing releases of 2025. It wants to be both a crime thriller and a domestic revenge drama but ends up being a mixed and confused collection.
Verdict: Watch only if you’re curious about Famke Janssen’s return; otherwise, Amsterdam Empire is not for you. The Amsterdam Empire series lacks focus, emotional depth, and originality, which is unbearable at times.
Watch Amsterdam Empire Trailer
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