From unsolved murders to unhinged antiheroes, these bingeable thrillers will keep you at the edge of your seat. From twisted family dynamics to a world of mythical creatures, these web series are sure to satisfy your appetite for the thrills.
This Indian web series is an enthralling thriller with twists and turns. It features Kunal Khemu as Abhay Pratap Singh. Cast also includes Ram Kapoor, Chunkey Pandey, Asha Negi, etc.
1. You
If you’re in the mood for a creepy thriller, check out You. Though it might feel like the Lifetime-iest of all Lifetime shows, it’s incredibly addictive. Penn Badgley’s portrayal of this creepy stalker is unnerving, and the show’s many twists are sure to keep you hooked on Netflix.
If You aren’t quite at your speed, Mindhunter might be a better fit. This gripping FBI series explores the minds of serial killers and tries to understand what drives them to commit such heinous acts. It might not be as enthralling as You, but it’s just as fascinating to watch.
2. Mindhunter
The second series on our list of thrillers to watch is a true crime drama that looks at the origins of criminal profiling. Directed by David Fincher — who brought his dark aesthetic to the likes of Seven, Zodiac, and Gone Girl — Mindhunter follows FBI agents Holden Ford (Jonathan Groff) and Bill Tench (Holt McCallany) as they revolutionize the way law enforcement hunts for serial killers. Throughout the show, they interview multiple killers and try to understand what motivates them to commit heinous crimes.
The result is an addictive, suspenseful show that takes full advantage of its long-form format. While it may not work for people with short attention spans, those who stick with it are rewarded with an intelligent, riveting drama that takes a deep dive into the evolution of modern forensic science. As an added bonus, the soundtrack is really good — I found myself pausing and rewinding to listen to the cello scene with Paint It Black and the Nothing Else Matters cover again and again.
3. The Fall
If you like a thriller that gets even more complicated than Stranger Things, this wonky sci-fi series is worth checking out. Created by Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij, the otherworldly story follows a blind woman who returns to society after years in captivity and starts a youth group with some troubled kids. From there, things get crazier than you could possibly imagine. You can watch the series on flixtor for free.
The X-Files star Gillian Anderson smolders as a hard-nosed detective superintendent in this British-Irish crime drama. Having been sent to Belfast to assess an ongoing murder investigation, she quickly matches wits with serial killer Paul Spector (Jamie Dornan). Stella is the yin to Paul’s yang; she’s a sharp, focused professional who puts her career before personal matters. At one point, she calls out her superior for crossing a line that brings her too close to the tendencies of the “monster” they’re hunting.
As fascinating as the surgical procedures may be, though, The Fall is best when it focuses on the bigger thematic issues—for example, how do we define personhood when someone commits a crime and then claims not to remember it? In its own unsubtle way, the series is uniquely effective in dismantling misogyny and the tropes we use to consider crime and victimhood.
4. The Killing Season
If you’re a fan of true crime, then The Killing Season will be right up your alley. It might have the promotional art and John Travolta beard that give it a very inauspicious first impression, but mark our words: this series is going to change the way you think about crime documentaries. It drops its cliched true-crime trappings and instead tells a powerful narrative about the marginalized communities in America’s cities and heartland who find themselves left without justice.
It also explores one of the most horrific yet least examined instances of mass killing and incarceration in history. From a book store employee to a serial killer with a dark past, this series is full of twists and turns that will have you at the edge of your seat.
5. Narcos
Using both fiction and real events, this Netflix original series depicts the rise of Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar. It delves into the dark legacy of drugs in a country plagued by poverty and conflict. It addresses the narco-world in which smuggling and law enforcement are intertwined and where corruption is common. It graphically illustrates how the illicit business has ruined the lives of people in Colombia. It’s heady material, but it’s served with dexterous cinematography and strong performances.
After the fall of Escobar, a power vacuum emerged, which led to violent turf wars between his cartel and other Colombian and Mexican kingpins. In season 3, Narcos follows the rise of the Cali cartel and the DEA as it struggles to keep up with the ruthless gangsters that are quickly outpacing them.