After establishing itself as the world’s biggest streaming platform, Netflix began making original content in 2013 with original shows
House of Cards, Orange is the New Black,
Hemlock Grove,
It’s understandable that with so many shows available, some thrillers on Netflix haven’t gotten as much attention as others. While Netflix is known for huge hits like Squid Game, Money Heist, and Narcos, there are many other suspenseful and psychologically gripping thrillers that haven’t quite reached the same level of popularity, despite being excellent.
These excellent thriller series, for reasons like being overlooked by algorithms, poorly promoted, judged by quick results, or lost in a flood of new content, haven’t received the recognition they deserve and should be considered genre staples.
‘Bloodline’ (2015-2017)
Netflix
The Rayburns are a seemingly peaceful family living in the Florida Keys, but their lives are disrupted when their troubled oldest son, Danny, comes home. His return stirs up old conflicts, reveals hidden secrets, and forces everyone to confront difficult truths. Bloodline is a suspenseful, character-focused thriller with a dark, atmospheric style, building tension with each episode.
I was totally hooked by Bloodline – it was so gripping and unsettling, always leaving me on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen next with these flawed, tragic characters. It’s a shame the final season got lost in the shuffle with so many other thrillers coming out at the time. It really deserved more attention, but it just kind of faded away quietly after it finished, and Netflix seemed to forget about it pretty quickly.
‘Maniac’ (2018)
Netflix
Starring Emma Stone and Jonah Hill, Maniac is a visually stunning and thought-provoking series that blends comedy with deeper emotional themes. The show follows the pair as they participate in a mysterious drug trial with other strangers, hoping to overcome their personal struggles. Through bizarre and dreamlike simulations, the lines between what’s real and imagined become blurred, and they discover that the supposed cures might be just as flawed as the problems they’re trying to solve—and perhaps even reflect the brokenness of the world around them.
It’s not surprising that Maniac gained a dedicated fanbase rather than broad popular appeal, given its unusual and fragmented storytelling. However, the show was still highly praised by critics for its stunning visuals and compelling story. It truly stands alongside other modern sci-fi thrillers like Severance and Black Mirror in terms of quality and impact.
‘Bodies’ (2023)
Netflix
The series Bodies is inspired by the graphic novel of the same name and combines historical drama, science fiction about time travel, and the atmosphere of a classic detective story. The discovery of the same dead man in London in four different eras – 1890, 1941, 2023, and 2053 – sparks four separate investigations by detectives from the Metropolitan Police. These cases ultimately connect, revealing a larger, more complex mystery with significant repercussions.
With plenty of unexpected plot twists and thought-provoking questions about right and wrong, Bodies is a clever and well-acted sci-fi thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end. Stephen Graham delivers a strong performance, showcasing the talent that has since made him a global star, particularly after his role in Adolescence. While popular in the UK, Bodies didn’t attract as many viewers internationally and has since been eclipsed by some of Graham’s more prominent projects.
‘The Midnight Club’ (2022)
Netflix
Created by Mike Flanagan, The Midnight Club is a spooky series set in a hospice. It centers around eight teenagers facing terminal illnesses who create a club where they share scary stories late at night. They make a pact: whoever dies first will try to contact the others from beyond the grave. Throughout the show, many of these stories are brought to life through visuals.
As a horror fan, I’ve been really impressed with Mike Flanagan lately – he’s quickly become one of the most compelling storytellers working in the genre. His show, The Midnight Club, was a fantastic mix of spooky jump scares, genuinely unsettling psychological horror, real emotional depth, and a captivating dark mystery, and critics clearly agreed – it scored a solid 87% on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s a real shame, then, that it was canceled after only one season, especially because it set a record for the most jump scares in a single TV episode – a whopping 21! It left a lot of fans disappointed and with a bunch of storylines hanging, and it feels like the show has already faded from a lot of people’s minds, which is a loss.
‘The Society’ (2019)
Netflix
When all the adults in West Ham, Connecticut suddenly disappear, the town’s teenagers are left to fend for themselves. The series, The Society, explores what happens when they try to build a new community, and quickly descends into a tense and often violent struggle for power, reminiscent of Lord of the Flies.
Despite being canceled after only one season due to issues with the COVID-19 pandemic, The Society is still a highly enjoyable show to watch all at once. Unfortunately, because it was categorized as a teen drama, many people dismissed it as shallow entertainment, overlooking its complex storylines, well-developed characters, and its intriguing, somewhat unsettling atmosphere.
‘Alias Grace’ (2017)
Netflix
Dr. Simon Jordan must uncover the truth about Grace Marks, a young Irish servant in 19th-century Canada. Imprisoned for the murders of her employer and his housekeeper, Grace claims to have no memory of the crimes. Is she a traumatized woman with amnesia, a ruthless killer, or simply someone caught in terrible circumstances?
Critics loved Alias Grace, giving it a near-perfect 99% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and praised Sarah Gadon’s captivating performance and the show’s sharp look at society. However, despite the positive reviews, the miniseries has largely been forgotten, fading into the large number of thrillers available today.
‘Marcella’ (2016-2021)
Netflix
Marcella is a dark and intense detective drama that stands out from the crowd with its realistic and psychologically complex storytelling. Anna Friel gives a powerful and committed performance as the lead detective, a woman struggling with memory loss, violent tendencies, and a growing distrust of her own mind.
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Unlike many popular detective shows with straightforward heroes and simple cases, Marcella features a flawed protagonist and tackles difficult, sensitive topics. This makes it a bit less polished and immediately appealing, but it’s absolutely just as compelling.
‘The innocent’ (2021)
Netflix
Netflix’s The Innocent is a gripping thriller, one of many adaptations of Harlan Coben’s novels. The story centers on an average man whose life unravels when a past mistake resurfaces, pulling him into a complex mystery filled with murder, corruption, and long-hidden secrets. With constant twists and turns, the show keeps you guessing until the very end. Despite being a standout adaptation, it’s unfortunately been overshadowed by other, more publicized Coben projects and has largely been forgotten.
I have to say, The Innocent really blew me away. Mario Casas delivers a truly phenomenal performance, and it’s frustrating to see this film hasn’t gotten the attention it deserves. It’s easily one of the best mystery thrillers I’ve seen in a long time – and the fact that it boasts a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes just proves what I already knew: this movie is a must-see.
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2026-02-09 22:22