Shine Bright With More Crime Thrillers
If you’ve finished this one and are looking for something similar, we’ve combed through the archives and saved you the hassle with our top 10 picks for alternate viewing options. ..
The similarities between these two articles are that they both focus on the life of a single mother. They also both mention the importance of family. However, the main difference between these two pieces is that one focuses on the struggles and joys of being a single mother while the other focuses on the struggles and joys of being a family member.
We’ve added a link to our full thoughts on that series so you can check it out and see if it’s something you want to invest your time with.
- Stranger Things
- Game of Thrones
- The Crown
- The Good Place
- Black Mirror
- Stranger Things 2
- Game of Thrones Season 7 8. The Crown Season 2 9. Black Mirror Season 3
Absentia
Absentia is a show full of plot twists, although one could argue that this show throws up one too many twists into the fold. Still, Absentia’s conclusive three-season run is helped by a really gripping plot that ends on a suitable high note.
The story of FBI agent Emily Bryne is based on her recovery six years after she vanished while working for the bureau. Emily is hampered by amnesia, but she must use her remaining memories to piece together her past. The most important part of her recovery is learning to trust herself again.
There’s a lot to like about this thriller, which is full of suspense and mystery. ..
Mouse
Similarities – Serial Murderer & Crime
But will Mouse be able to keep the audience engaged for the entire duration? Will it be a show that we can come back to time and time again? Or will it quickly become one of those shows that we forget about, only to remember it later on when something new comes up?
Jung Ba-Reum is a rookie police officer working at a police substation. He finds himself faced with the impossible, tasked with tracking down a psychopath murderer who places the entire nation in fear. ..
Mouse is a gripping, complicated novel with numerous timelines and surprising twists. It’s also slightly frustrating, so be aware of that. However, this is an unforgettable experience! ..
Losing Alice
Similarities – Characters & Mystery
Alice is a young woman who has recently lost her mother, and is struggling to cope with the loss. She meets a man named Yossi, who seems to be in the same position as she is: lost and alone. The two of them start to spend time together, and eventually fall in love. However, their relationship is complicated by Alice’s feelings for Yossi’s brother.
Alice finds herself in a new and difficult situation when she agrees to shoot a movie for Sophie, a femme-fatale screenwriter. She is not sure if she can handle the pressure of being in the public eye and must decide whether or not to keep her head down.
As the series progresses, Alice realizes she’s stuck in a nightmare of her own making, unsure who to trust and who’s telling the truth. With some gorgeous shots and a pretty consistent tone, the beginning and end of this series is enough to recommend soldiering through the middle chapters.
In our episode recap, we talk about how we felt after watching Losing Alice.
Homecoming
Similarities – Style
The show is set in a small town in upstate New York, and follows the story of a group of people who are struggling to make sense of their lives after the death of their father. Esmail says that he wanted to create a show that was “dark and gritty” and “sad but also hopeful.”
Sheidi is a waitress in America at a company called Homecoming in the past. She’s trying to figure out what happened to her friends and family there, and why she can’t seem to remember anything from when she was younger.
Walter, a vet who has been through a lot in his life, is eager to start the program and help others. He is a great test subject for the company’s experimental program, which aims to rehabilitate soldiers back into civilian life.
With a significant chunk of Heidi’s memory missing, Investigator Carrasco begins to piece together what happened in the present day timeline.
The show has a similar aesthetic to Shining Girls, with 30 minute episodes and an uneasy dread clinging to large parts of the story. While the second season isn’t quite as effective as the first, there’s a lot to like here nonetheless.
Our thoughts on Homecoming in our full season review: We loved the season finale of Homecoming, and we can’t wait for the next one! This show is so well written and has a great story line. We loved all of the characters and their interactions. We hope to see more of this show in the future.
Tabula Rasa
Similarities – Slow Burn Mystery
Belgium’s Tabula Rasa is a slow-burn thriller with an intriguing premise, some solid characters and an itching mystery that compels you to see it through to its conclusion. If you’re in the mood for a crime drama with depth and intrigue, this one’s worth your time. ..
Mie is skeptical, but when Wolkers tells her about the case, she starts to believe him. She soon realizes that the detective is after something more than just the case - he’s after her memory. Mie must find out what happened to her husband and why he’s gone missing.
Mie is a witness and prime suspect in the case of her missing friend. She is forced to remember what happened that night before she can even think about being released from custody. In order to fight for the truth, Mie is forced into reconstructing her lost memories. The more she remembers though, the more Mie starts to distrust those around her. ..
Tabula Rasa is a solid series to check out. Moody, ambitious, and well written, it is a great choice for fans of science fiction. ..
Sharp Objects
Similarities – Mystery & Characters
Sharp Objects is a psychologically charged murder mystery that is as engaging as it is technically impressive. The sound design and editing are perfect, and the story is well-crafted with a perfect mystery.
As she begins her reporting, Camille quickly realizes that the case is more complicated than she thought. The young girls in town are not just targets of the killer, but also of the town’s dark secrets. As she digs deeper into the case, Camille finds herself in over her head and must use all of her skills and courage to survive.
If you’re looking for a compelling character-driven mystery, then you’ll definitely want to check out the show. It’s both engaging and enthralling, and it’s a must-watch. ..
We thought Sharp Objects was a great show this year. It’s a crime mystery with a dark and twisted story that is well-told. We loved the way it handled its dark themes and the way it showed how society can be so cruel.
Unbelievable
Similarities – Abuse Victims & Slow Burn Investigation
Unbelievable is a gripping crime mystery series that follows the story of two timelines, one in the early 1800s and the other in the present day. The show splits its episodes across these two timelines to create a truly unique experience, and it does an excellent job of balancing both stories perfectly. The first half of the series is particularly well-done, following the story of a young woman who is raped by her own father. This section of the show is incredibly well-written and manages to keep you on your toes throughout, while also providing a great insight into how sexual assault can have far-reaching psychological effects. The second half of the series is much more action-oriented, but it still manages to maintain its well-balanced approach to storytelling. This section of the show provides an excellent insight into how sexual assault can impact both men and women, as well as their families. Overall, Unbelievable is an excellent crime mystery series that manages to juggle both stories perfectly.
Unbelievable is a rape case procedural that follows the story of Marie, a young woman who reports a rape to the police in 2008. After being forced to repeat her story numerous times to different officers, Marie finds herself on the wrong end of the law, as her hazy memory and inconsistent story leads her into a false report that sees her facing arrest and possible jail time. ..
Netflix’s police procedural is definitely one of the better offerings on the platform. The series is slow at times, but it builds to a dramatic climax that is worth watching.
Our full season review of Unbelievable is available here. We thought the show was entertaining and well-made, but didn’t quite live up to the hype. ..
The Sinner
Similarities – Characters & Drama
But as the season progresses, we see a pattern emerge. The killer seems to be targeting people who have recently committed a crime. In the first few episodes, we see this person killed multiple times. In the second season, we see this person killed again and again. The Sinner is a mystery that is slowly building to an reveal of a dark secret.
The show “The Killing” follows the investigation of the murder of a young man. The show is based on the Danish TV series “Forbrydelsen” and was created by Veena Sud. The show stars Mireille Enos as Harry Ambrose, Joel Kinnaman as Stephen Holder, and Peter Sarsgaard as Dan Linden. ..
As the truths and lies of this mystery unfold, it becomes clear that it is a case of why-dun-it rather than who-dun-it. The suspense is kept running right through to its climactic ending, which plays as a why-dun-it rather than a who-dun-it.
The first season of “Harry Ambrose” is undoubtedly the strongest of the three, as different crimes come to light. The seasons progress by adding new characters and storylines, but Harry Ambrose remains a central figure throughout. ..
The Sinner is a gripping crime drama that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The acting is top-notch, and the plot is well-done. If you’re looking for a good show to watch, this is it! ..
Twin Peaks
Similarities – Tone & Mood
The show’s eerie, dreamlike atmosphere and the enigmatic characters who inhabit it are what keep viewers coming back for more. The show’s revival in 2017 was met with mixed reactions, but it remains one of the most popular shows on television. ..
The show was a sensation and spawned a number of sequels and spin-offs. It’s now considered one of the greatest horror shows ever made.
The episode starts with a truly creepy moment, as the protagonist dreams of a horrifying nightmare montage. This is followed by some genuinely creepy moments, such as the scene in which the protagonist sees a man with a knife kill his own mother.
If you haven’t watched this yet, it’s one of the better shows out there. ..
The Chestnut Man
If you’re a fan of crime dramas, you really don’t want to miss out on watching The Chestnut Man. Well written, gritty and utterly engrossing from start to finish, this Nordic noir is nicely poised to end September with a bang. ..
The Chestnut Man is a chilling and atmospheric tale that captures the same tone and atmosphere as the novels it is synonymous with. ..
As the show begins, Naia and Mark are both new to the department. Naia is fresh out of college and fresh out of ideas about what she should do with her life, while Mark is a veteran detective who’s been on the force for years. They’re both eager to prove themselves and make a difference. The show quickly establishes that these two men are not your average cops. Naia is quick to point out that she’s not like other officers - she’s not scared or timid. She’s also not afraid to take risks, even if they might be dangerous. Mark on the other hand is a bit more reserved but he’s also very smart and he knows how to get the most from his experience. These two men quickly become good friends, and their friendship only deepens as they work together on cases. The show never shy away from showing how their friendship develops - it’s always full of challenges and adventure. The show does an excellent job of showing how these two men interact with each other as well as with their suspects. It never feels like either character is just there for the sake of being in the show - they’re always working towards a common goal.
The first episode of the new season of “Sherlock” is available to watch on BBC iPlayer. The show follows the adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson, who work together to solve crimes. The six episodes are available to watch in one go or you can choose to watch them over the course of a week. ..
Nordic drama “The Bridge” is beautifully constructed, well-paced and a must to put on your watch-list. ..
The Chestnut Man was a disappointing show. We did not enjoy it and found it to be poorly written and executed. ..
If you’re finished watching Shining Girls on AppleTV+, here are 10 other shows to watch! ..
Our picks for the best summer reads are just the beginning! Let us know in the comments below what books you’re looking forward to reading this season. ..