Netflix’s 12-Part ‘American Gods Meets His Dark Materials’ Series Is The Best Dark Fantasy You Haven’t Heard Of

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As a lifelong movie and TV fan, I’ve noticed fantasy has been really dominated by Western fairytales for ages – think Disney, and shows like Once Upon A Time. It’s gotten to the point where it feels a little… predictable. While that familiar feeling is nice for a comfy, cozy watch, I think the genre is ready to get more imaginative! It’s time we started drawing inspiration from different cultures and mythologies, you know? We need some fresh ideas!

I’ve noticed how shows like Squid Game and Money Heist really changed things for streaming services. They proved there’s a huge audience for shows made outside of English-speaking countries. Netflix still has a lot of English-language content, and that’s still what you see the most, but there are way more international shows available now than ever before. It’s brought a lot of fresh ideas to TV, and I think the fantasy genre has especially benefited from all this new creativity.

Netflix’s willingness to take chances resulted in a hidden gem of a dark fantasy series, Invisible City. Created from an original concept by authors Raphael Draccon and Carolina Munhóz, the show quickly became a standout international title on Netflix. Both seasons have been well-received, earning an 89% audience approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

As a fantasy fan, I was really blown away by Invisible City. It looked fantastic, and it brought some genuinely new ideas to the dark fantasy world – plus, its message about protecting nature felt both relevant and like something that’ll always matter. It’s a real shame Netflix canceled it after just two seasons, though. Viewership dipped, sure, but a lot of us who loved the show – and critics too – thought it deserved to continue, especially considering how much it brought to the genre. It’s one of those Netflix cancellations that just feels… unfair.

The series Invisible City follows Eric (Marco Pigossi), an environmental detective who begins investigating what he thinks is a dolphin death, but soon uncovers a much bigger mystery. The show blends human characters with figures from Brazilian folklore, creating a world that some have compared to American Gods. Like His Dark Materials, many of the supernatural characters have a strong connection to a specific animal, but Invisible City is notably darker and more realistic in its approach.

Invisible City Highlights Where The Fantasy Genre Is Going Wrong

The fantasy genre is poised for a surge in popularity with the upcoming Harry Potter TV series and a new Lord of the Rings installment in 2026. Then, in 2027, Greta Gerwig’s Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew will be released both in theaters and for streaming. However, this wave of new content also reveals a potential problem for the genre—one that could grow if creators don’t take note of what Invisible City did well.

The Harry Potter series is dealing with a challenge as some former fans are choosing not to support it because of J.K. Rowling’s views on transgender issues. However, this is just one problem shared by Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, and other similar fantasy projects. These franchises are all well-known and have already established stories, making it hard to offer fans something truly new. Adding to this, both the Harry Potter TV show and The Lord of the Rings movie have replaced actors in important roles, which inevitably leads to comparisons with the original performances.

The international fantasy series Invisible City is a standout show, especially for fans of crime dramas. It’s unique because it blends that genre with fascinating Brazilian folklore and memorable character designs. Many characters—those with animal connections or supernatural abilities—have looks that reflect their nature. For example, Inês’s flowing sleeves resemble moth wings, and Camila’s clothing looks like water, perfectly matching her siren-like character.

The two seasons of Invisible City
Season Year Episodes Highest episode IMDb rating
1 2021 7 7.8
2 2023 5 7.6

The success of ‘Invisible City’ shows that fantasy is at a turning point. Rather than constantly revisiting old stories and characters, streaming services should focus on funding fresh, original tales, especially those rooted in diverse cultures. This gives creators from underrepresented backgrounds a chance to share their visions and brings exciting new ideas to a genre that has often relied too heavily on what’s already known.

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2026-05-17 00:09