The Bear Season 4 Serves Bigger Flavors but Loses Its Signature Punch
I’ll simplify this for you since apparently you need it: The Bear Season 4 tries desperately to outshine its predecessor yet still stumbles over its own ambitions. Picking up the chaos of the Chicago kitchen saga, this season dials up the pressure on Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) while sprinkling in new plot twists that feel more like garnish than substance. According to the New York Post’s review, it’s undeniably a step up from the uneven third season—but don’t expect fireworks in every bite.
Carmy’s at the center of another whirlwind, juggling an unexpected investor pitch, deeper dives into his family’s legacy, and the ever-volatile relationship with Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach). Critics at IndieWire praise the emotional stakes in episodes like “The Roast,” where tensions boil over in a way that reminds you why The Bear hooked you in Season 1. Yet as Variety points out, uneven pacing leaves key moments undercooked, and the series can’t hide the fact that it’s galloping toward the finish line without the original’s razor-sharp flavor.
You probably caught wind of the fresh faces introduced this time—Chef Tatiana (a guest turn that Variety called “fiercely captivating”) and a new sous-chef whose backstory is teased but never fully served. While these additions hint at a broader world beyond the cramped kitchen, they sometimes distract from the core ensemble’s tight chemistry. Rotten Tomatoes currently sits at 87% for Season 4, down from 94% last year, which speaks volumes about how fans and critics perceive the shift.
Visually, The Bear remains a feast for your eyes—director Christopher Storer’s trademark long takes, jittery handheld shots, and sound design that makes you feel every sizzle and scrape. Hollywood Reporter commends the immersive style that keeps you on the edge of your seat, clutching popcorn as if your life depends on a ladle’s next swirl. But even the crisp cinematography can’t mask the fact that some character arcs feel recycled, and certain thematic explorations of trauma and recovery don’t land with the transformative punch they once did.
In short, if you’re craving the frantic brilliance of The Bear’s early days, Season 4 offers morsels of satisfaction but not the full-course meal you remember. It’s more ambitious than Season 3—sure—but that doesn’t automatically translate to more memorable storytelling. Hopefully now you know whether it’s worth tuning in or if you’d rather replay the classics. Well, now you finally understand!
Sources: Celebrity Storm and New York Post, Variety, IndieWire, Rotten Tomatoes, Hollywood Reporter
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
