Movies

10 Best TV Thrillers Like ‘We Were Liars’

BBG News

E. Lockhart’s popular 2014 young adult novel, “We Were Liars,” was picked up for screen adaptation in 2022. The television series created by Julie Plec (known for “The Vampire Diaries”) and Carina Adly Mackenzie (renowned for “Roswell, New Mexico”) has been a big hit on Amazon Prime Video. It’s among the platform’s top-viewed shows of the summer, but since it only has eight episodes, viewers are left inquisitive about what to watch next.

Fortunately, it’s not just We Were Liars that you can find on Amazon Prime Video; there’s a host of other thrillers that may catch the eye of fans of We Were Liars. The teen thriller genre has been growing in popularity lately, and many of these shows are recent releases, with the earliest ones debuting as recently as 2020.

Here are the best TV thrillers to watch on Prime Video after We Were Liars.

10
‘The Wilds’ (2020 – 2022)

The series titled “The Wilds” is a survival thriller, masterfully crafted by Sarah Streicher (known for her work on Daredevil). Over two seasons, it streamed on Amazon Prime Video. The story unfolds as a group of teenage girls are en route to a young women’s empowerment retreat in Hawaii; however, their plane crashes, leaving them stranded on an uninhabited island. In order to survive, they must band together and battle the harsh elements.

The cast includes Sophia Ali (from Grey’s Anatomy), Shannon Berry (known for The Survivors), Jenna Clause (from The Furies Inside Me), Reign Edwards (MacGyver), Mia Healey (from The Monster), Helena Howard (I Saw the TV Glow), Erana James (We Were Dangerous), and Sarah Pidgeon (Tiny Beautiful Things) as the island’s castaways. Rachel Griffiths (famous for Saving Mr. Banks) portrays Gretchen Klein, who is in charge of the Dawn of Eve program that sponsored the empowerment retreat.

A Celebrated Thriller

The Amazon Prime Video series, “The Wilds,” received positive feedback from both critics and viewers, earning an average rating of 86% on Rotten Tomatoes. While the reviews for Season 2 were generally favorable, they didn’t quite match the acclaim that the first season garnered. Prior to its cancellation in 2022, “The Wilds” was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award and a Women’s Image Network Award. Additionally, it received the Reframe Stamp from IMDbPro as one of the Top 200 Most Popular TV Titles in 2020-2021.

9
‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ (2021)

If you’re a fan of “We Were Liars” and appreciate a blend of teen suspense in your thrillers, you might enjoy the TV version of “I Know What You Did Last Summer”. Originating from Lois Duncan’s 1973 novel and the 1997 film, this series was crafted by Sara Goodman, who has previously worked on “Preacher” and is involved in the 2024 television adaptation of “Cruel Intentions”.

Twists, Turns, and Murder

Following a fateful car accident on their graduation night, a close-knit group of friends finds themselves haunted by a sinister presence as they uncover a murderer who is systematically eliminating them due to a dark secret they’ve kept hidden. The ensemble cast features Madison Iseman (from “Annabelle Comes Home”), Brianne Tju (“Light as a Feather”), Zeke Goodman (“Cruel Intentions”), Ashley Moore (“Rule of Thirds”), and Sebastian Amoruso (“Avatar: The Last Airbender”) playing the roles of the graduates who were involved in that tragic accident. Completing the talented cast are Bill Heck (“The Old Man”), Fiona Rene (“Tracker”), Cassie Beck (“Joe Bell”), and Brooke Bloom (“Kindred”).

8
‘Panic’ (2021)

One unique aspect about Panic is that its creator and series developer is also the author of the book it’s based on – Lauren Oliver. In 2014, her young adult novel titled Panic was published, and in 2020, she turned it into a television show for Amazon Prime Video, acting as its showrunner. The story unfolds in a small Texas town, where graduating seniors participate in a series of risky competitions. Only one contestant will walk away with the substantial $50,000 prize, awarded to the winner. Actress Olivia Welch from Fear Street plays Heather Nill, who decides to join the competition after her mother spends the college tuition money she’d been saving.

One Fast-Paced Season

Heather’s primary rivals in her field are Natalie Williams (Jessica Sula), a longtime friend; Dodge Mason (Mike Faist), the fresh face in town; Ray Hall (Ray Nicholson), the younger sibling of last year’s victor; and some unnamed newcomer. Mike Faist, portraying Dodge, earned a Critics’ Choice Super Award nomination for his performance. The series received generally positive reviews, with critics leaning towards praise. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has garnered an 80% rating from audiences. Although Panic did not get renewed for another season, its 10-episode run offers a compelling enough conclusion to make viewing worthwhile.

7
‘Chloe’ (2022)

The six-part British miniseries titled “Chloe” was developed by Alice Seabright, recognized for her work on shows like “Sex Education” and “Say Nothing.” The talented Erin Doherty, from “Adolescence,” delivers a remarkable performance as Becky Green. As Becky becomes fixated on the death of her former friend Chloe, who she was estranged from, she assumes a false identity to get nearer to those who were closest to Chloe. This narrative weaves together Becky and Chloe’s friends in an intricate manner. The ensemble cast includes Billy Howle (“The Perfect Couple”), Pippa Bennett-Warner (“Gangs of London”), Jack Farthing (“Spencer”), Brandon Micheal Hall (“Search Party”), and Poppy Gilbert (“The Pale Horse”).

Obsession in the Digital Age

This psychological thriller explores themes of fixation and selfhood in the digital era, filled with unexpected twists, humor, and unusual compassion for an otherwise hard-to-accept character. A significant portion of this empathy is a testament to Doherty’s performance in the role. The movie Chloe, while highly praised by critics (earning a 94% rating), has received mixed reviews from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, with only a 56% approval rating.

6
‘The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart’ (2023)

In this drama, titled “Alice Hart’s Journey,” the story unfolds in Australia and centers around Alice, a young girl who moves to live with her grandmother after a tragic fire takes the lives of her parents. Having endured childhood abuse, Alice grapples with her past as she matures. The roles of Alice at different stages of her life are portrayed by Alyla Browne (known for “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga”) and Alycia Debnam-Carey (recognized from “Fear the Walking Dead”). Sigourney Weaver (famous for “Avatar”) brings June Hart, Alice’s grandmother, to life on screen. The series was created by Sarah Lambert, who serves both as actor and director.

Critical Acclaim

The television series “The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart” is derived from Holly Ringland’s 2018 novel with the same title. Structured as a seven-part miniseries, it was met with great success both by critics and audiences. The drama garnered 12 nominations for the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards, winning in the Best Miniseries category. Additionally, it received a nomination from the Australian Writers’ Guild for Best Limited Series and a nod for the GLAAD Media Award in the Limited or Anthology Series category.

5
‘Harlan Coben’s Shelter’ (2023)

One of Harlan Coben’s novels, “Shelter,” has been tailored for teen viewers. Following the unexpected demise of his father, Mickey Bolitar moves to New Jersey. However, he swiftly becomes entangled in the mystery surrounding a missing student at his new high school. Jaden Michael, known for his role in “Wonderstruck,” plays Mickey, with supporting roles filled by Constance Zimmer (“Big Sky”), Adrian Greensmith (“Metal Lords”), Abby Corrigan (“Castle Rock”), Sage Linder (The Next Step), and Brian Altemus (“Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin”). Harlan Coben not only wrote the original story but also collaborated on its screen adaptation with Charlotte Coben.

The Mickey Bolitar Trilogy

The first book in the Mickey Bolitar series by Harlan Coben, titled “Shelter”, served as the launch for a potential multi-season TV show. Regrettably, the television adaptation was terminated following its initial eight-episode run. However, reviews were generally favorable, with many critics praising it as an effective adaptation of Coben’s 2011 novel. The show garnered two Young Entertainer Awards and a Reframe Stamp.

In the Mickey Bolitar series by Harlan Coben, “Shelter” was the start of a potential multi-season TV show. Sadly, after an eight-episode run, the series was discontinued. Still, critics commended it for being a well-executed adaptation of the 2011 novel. The show won two Young Entertainer Awards and received a Reframe Stamp.

4
‘Wilderness’ (2023)

Wilderness is a six-part TV series that originates from the 2019 thriller by B. E. Jones, adapted for television by Marnie Dickens, who is also known for creating the 2016 thriller “Thirteen” featuring Jodie Comer. The main cast of “Wilderness” includes Jenna Coleman (“The Serpent”), Oliver Jackson-Cohen (“Emily”), and Ashley Benson (“Pretty Little Liars”). This captivating series has garnered a BAFTA Award, a Music and Sound Award, as well as a ReFrame Stamp.

Danger on the Open Road

Following the discovery that her husband, Will (Jackson-Cohen), was unfaithful, Liv Taylor (Coleman) chooses to take action independently. The pair embark on a journey across America. While Will aims to mend their relationship, Liv views this cross-country excursion through isolated landscapes as a chance for retribution.

3
‘Cruel Intentions’ (2024)

Under the direction of Phoebe Fisher and Sara Goodman, who had previously collaborated on the “I Know What You Did Last Summer” series, “Cruel Intentions” unfolds as a captivating psychological drama centered around wealthy step-siblings Caroline Merteuil (portrayed by Sarah Catherine Hook) and Lucien Belmont (Zac Burgess). Following an unfortunate incident during a hazing event on their elite college campus, the duo endeavors to preserve their influence by ensnaring Annie Grover (Savannah Lee Smith), the daughter of the Vice President of the United States, in their web of intrigue.

French Origins

“The movie ‘Cruel Intentions’, released in 1999, is a remake of the psychosexual thriller written and directed by Roger Kumble (‘Beautiful Disaster’). In this film, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, and Reese Witherspoon played leading roles. Many people still enjoy watching it today, but they might not know that the 1999 version was actually an adaptation. Roger Kumble modeled his work after ‘Les Liaisons Dangereuses’, a novel by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos published in 1782. This story has been adapted multiple times for theater, film, and radio.”

2
‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ (2022-2025)

The Summer I Found Myself Caught in a Love Triangle”

In this romantic drama set during summertime, Lola Tung (from “Forbidden Fruits”) takes on the role of Isabel “Belly” Conklin, a young girl who finds herself in a complex love situation involving the sons of her mother’s closest friend. Christopher Briney (known for his role in “Mean Girls”) and Gavin Casalegno (“Queen of the Rin”g) portray Conrad and Jeremiah Fisher, the two men who capture Belly’s heart. This series is an adaptation of a trilogy of young adult novels written by Jenny Han, who also played a part in its development for television.

Lighter Dramatic Fare

Although “The Summer I Turned Pretty” may not be a thriller, it offers an engaging summer drama reminiscent of a popular YA book that will appeal to fans of “We Were Liars“. Unlike many thrillers, it doesn’t revolve around a major mystery but presents a delightful coming-of-age option taking place during the summer. The series, consisting of three full seasons, received the People’s Choice Award for The Bingeworthy Show of the Year in 2024.

1
‘The Better Sister’ (2025)

“The Better Sister” is a television miniseries adapted from Alafair Burke’s 2019 novel with the same title. It was developed for TV by Olivia Milch, who previously worked on “Ocean’s Eight”. In the series, Jessica Biel plays Chloe Taylor and Elizabeth Banks portrays Nicky Macintosh, two sisters who have fallen out of touch. When Chloe’s husband, Adam (Corey Stoll), who is also Nicky’s former spouse, is murdered, the estranged siblings are forced to reunite.

Family Drama With the Rich and Famous

The Superior Sister has garnered generally positive responses, with viewers preferring it more than professional critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 70% rating from critics and an impressive 81% approval rating from audiences. Particularly noteworthy is Banks’ captivating performance. The series boasts a solid supporting ensemble and each of the eight episodes are designed for binge-watching, with quick tempo and sharp dialogue. This thriller is rich in sibling conflicts, unfolding amidst the backdrop of affluence and privilege.

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2025-07-06 01:04

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