Why are some Apple TV+ shows so dark?

I bet your TV has FilmMaker mode turned on. Most of the newer TV's have this on by default and you just need to shut it off. Most TV manuals admit that when it is turned on, the shows that support it will appear dark.

I can offer additional assistance if you cannot find it in your TV settings if you let me know the model of the TV you have. In most cases it is in the Video settings or the Advanced Video Settings. You may see Off/On/ or Automatic and you will just want to turn it Off. In my opinion it is a terrible feature.

In my opinion it is a terrible feature.

It is supposed to bring more accurate colors, but for HDR screens, you’ll need plenty of brightness (nits), or else it will look kinda dark. As the brighter displays are more expensive, lots of HDR screens with limited nits are being sold.

Urquhart1244 wrote:

It is supposed to bring more accurate colors, but for HDR screens, you’ll need plenty of brightness (nits), or else it will look kinda dark. As the brighter displays are more expensive, lots of HDR screens with limited nits are being sold.

I agree with your analysis, just never seen it implemented where the movie looks better with it on. It may be accurate colors, but on a number of TV's I have seen and from other posts here, there is an immediate darkening from the normal bright UI of Apple TV after the movie starts, and personally I do not like it.

Just curious if you use FilmMaker on your TV and find it a better experience. I do tend to like the bright "vivid" display, so that may make my experience more drastic.