Crime, Thriller, Mystery and Horror Series! (In no particular order.)
Crime fan? Well, this is the list for you - complete with a bit more extensive, spoiler-free descriptions so you know what you're getting yourself into.
List will be updated on occasion!
The Killing (American version):
The Killing takes place in Seattle and is a gloomy yet captivating series where the city itself feels like a protagonist. There's a perpetually grey tone about it, not just in a literal sense but also reflected in the characters and events. The Killing took me by surprise by the complexity and depth added to all its characters in ways that do not feel disruptive nor redundant to the overarching narrative - but rather works as a driving force. I believe the series loses momentum after season 3 but otherwise keeps an even pace. It does jerk you around a bit in the first episodes of the first season, but it gets better so hang in there.
Some... strange choices were made with Joel Kinnaman's character, but he somehow made it work. If you are a fan of broken yet symbiotic relations between detectives - this is it. Themes of drug use and sexual violence are present throughout, so be mindful of that before going in.
Spoken language is American English.
The Outsider:
I went into this series knowing nothing about the premise and I recommend you do the same.
But what I can say is that The Outsider is a harrowing series with great acting and pacing throughout! It also has a neurodivergent character and I think it handles that characterization well.
My main gripe with it comes down to the brief mention of sexual assault piled on for shock value. Aside from that, I can give it nothing but praise.
Spoken language is American English.
Mindhunter:
Mindhunter sets itself apart by acting partly as a documentary, retelling stories surrounding real events occurring in the 1970's while granting us insight in the social climate at the time - all while exploring the then-new concept of profiling, a method tailored to provide new insights in the psyche of serial killers. This is what makes the series so uniquely chilling to watch.
Mindhunter offers great detective team dynamics; we get to experience the team's various personal problems and feel the weight that this new science puts on them.
The pacing throughout the series is overall very well tuned with a mounting sense of dread. It makes for good re-watching and is also beautifully shot. Heads up though, it abruptly ends after 2 seasons and is not scheduled to ever be picked up again. And thus ends one of the best criminal dramas ever put to screen.
Mindhunter simply is a must-watch.
Spoken language is American English.
True Detective (Season 1):
True detective is an eerie, elegantly crafted series that is both gritty and dreamlike. Despite the many open spaces, it feels somewhat claustrophobic and is very intentional in what it chooses to disclose about its characters. It follows a classic detective narrative, but told in a unique fashion. Great detective dynamic, dysfunctional yet strangely symbiotic.
It surrounds very dark themes and is permeated by a deeply philosophical undertone. Beautifully shot with imagery that is bound to etch itself into your mind, True Detective delves into the human psyche in a way that transcends most crime dramas out there. I personally believe season 1 is the strongest and most compelling of the trilogy, but don't let that stop you from viewing them all. Themes of sexual abuse are present, so be mindful of that before going in. And in case you were wondering, the soundtrack of the intro is " Far from Any Road " by The Handsome Family.
Spoken language is American English.
Broadchurch:
Broadchurch is a British series with brilliant performances that also address the impact on everyday citizens in the wake of a horrific crime in a close-knit community. Unfortunately, there are parts to the series that could be considered redundant and it occasionally struggles with merging the main characters' personal problems with their profession in a seamless manner. Themes of sexual violence are present, so be mindful of that before going in. Broadchurch has a great detective teamup and the emotional impact on the characters in the show is palpable throughout. David Tennant, Olivia Colman and Jodie Whittaker absolutely shines here. Broadchurch starts off incredibly strong but does lose momentum after the second season, but all-in-all it is a memorable watch that I highly recommend! Spoken language is British English.
Stranger (Bimilui Soop) :
The spoken language is Korean.
Bron (The Bridge):
In classic Scandinavian fashion, Bron is a gritty, dry humoured series that does not pull any punches. The acting may come across as a bit stiff to people who are not familiar with Scandinavians, but let me assure you that this is just what Scandinavian people are like. Bron is indeed unapologetically Nordic, cold-cut and wistful... just thinking about it makes me want to put on an extra sweater.
Its main protagonist Saga Norén is generally perceived to have Asperger's syndrome, although this is not explicitly confirmed within the show, her straightforwardness and disregard for social queues may give viewers a bit of a whiplash at first. This is indeed something that one will need to get used to. The series is well paced and manages to balance private relationships with business in a manner that does not feel disruptive. It gets gritty and is not afraid to gamble with high stakes. Bron is a must-watch and sets the bar high for any other crime series - especially the first season.
The spoken languages are Swedish and Danish.
Touching Evil (2004):
Like with many series around the millennium shift, Touching Evil has a flair for the dramatics. In fact, it may come across as a bit 'extra' from time to time. Touching Evil follows a savant and quirky detective where the process of elimination is a bit all over the place. Jeffrey Donovan is fun as always, able to fully embrace the role of Detective David Creegan. Vera Farmiga is just kind of there, and later you will see a Bradley Cooper swoop in to steal just about every scene he is in. Spoken language is American English.
Millennium (1996):
With Millennium, there are plenty of times where neither you or the protagonist have any idea what's going on, leaving you with mounting piles of unanswered questions. At least for me, it felt difficult to organize Millennium. It is slow-paced, layered with enigmatic events. Like many shows around this time, surrounding relationships won't get much depth or significant attention, and is instead more heavily focused on the protagonist's investigations and their methods. Lance Henriksen's performance does however shine throughout the series. Spoken language is American English.
Happy Valley:
Happy Valley is a British series that manages to balance both the crime narrative and the personal and private aspect of its characters in a way that feels compelling throughout. It portrays an unglamorous life yet manages to convey its complexities and simplicities in a powerful manner. To put it simply, it feels real.
Elements of sexual violence is prevalent throughout - so be mindful. The show does serve up your typical dry witted brit humor (thank goodness) as it would be quite the heavy watch otherwise. Like with many other British series it does not rush and successfully builds up and capture a small-town atmosphere.
Spoken language is British English.
Fargo (Season 1-2):
With its stunning cinematography, dysfunctional comedy and abundance of compelling and unique characters, my mind was drawn to Wes Anderson when watching Fargo. This series really has a lot of humor regardless of how absolutely bizarre things get.
I personally believe that the first two seasons kick off with great pacing, but lose momentum in the third and fourth. Fargo sets the bar sky-high and is definitely a must-watch. Spoken language is American English.
Beck (Season 1-3):
This raw, aggressively Swedish series kicked off in 1997 and follows the mellow Martin Beck (Peter Haber) and the somewhat unhinged - definitely unfiltered, Gunvald Larsson (Mikael Persbrandt). The series takes you around Stockholm city and beyond with murders that are often as gruesome as they are creative. Investigations are wrapped up by the end of each episode and the series typically maintain a good pace. If you want some insight in Swedish living viewed from the lens of many different social classes, this is a great place to start.
Spoken language is Swedish.
Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries (2012-2015):
This uniquely charming, frankly somewhat erotic Australian series takes place in Melbourne shortly after the First World War.
The series showcases some amazing costumes and environments, as well as romantic elements and humor. While lighthearted at its core, the series sometimes address the scars left from the war and other heavy subjects - but it does not dwell on them. Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries is a journey and like a good book it leaves a comfortably nostalgic, lasting impression.
Spoken language British English.
Resident Alien (2021):
A must-watch for every sci-fi fan out there, but Resident Alien also follows an investigation surrounding a suspicious crime in a small town in Colorado. Resident Alien has a heartwarming depth and is quite funny in its own quirky way. However, if awkward social situations gets you all embarrassed, this might get a bit challenging to power through sometimes.
Great cast and pacing, everyone puts on a splendid performance - easily one of the funniest roles I have seen Alan Tudyk in and that's saying something! Warmly recommend even though the crime and investigation part does take the backseat role throughout most of the series.
Spoken language American English.
Johan Falk (2009):
This Swedish series follows an elite police force dealing with organized crime. Johan Falk takes you around various locations in Sweden where you meet a lot of different characters, criminals or otherwise, for an insight in this volatile reality. It maintains a good tempo, high on action and equally high on stakes! Like most Scandinavian crime television, Johan Falk is raw and straightforward, yet there are moments of warmth and dry humor. The series' narrative is partly based on real events surrounding an infiltrator and a whole lot of scandals within the Swedish police force. Spoken language is Swedish.
Burn Notice (2005):
For a show where practically every episode have a car chase or something exploding, Burn Notice is incredibly well written. The show blends action, humor, crime, spy work and drama all in one while keeping a great tempo and variation. Burn Notice's biggest drawback is not getting enough time with all the fun new characters that frequently guest the show. I believe Bruce Campbell's, Sharon Gless's and Jeffrey Donovan's performances make Burn Notice especially memorable. Burn Notice is a must-watch for any fan of spy work and action. It's a wild ride with all the kind of unhinged shenanigans typical of the early 2000's century.
Spoken language is American English.
A Killer's Shopping List (2022):
Despite being one of the most compact crime series I have ever watched, it is still one of my absolute favorites. The small scene makes it easy to get taken in by the atmosphere and feel an intimate connection to the characters. You get to root for everyday people at the heart of a community and I just think that is a nice change of pace. There are eight episodes in total, so if you are short on time, not looking for anything overly complicated or just aren't into longer series - this is the one for you.
Spoken language is Korean.
Link: Eat, Love, Kill (2022):
Review pending!
Bad and Crazy (2021-2022):
To me, Bad & Crazy is worth watching for two things and two things only; the villain and the bromance. It also delves into the effects of mental illness and the stigma that follows. It serves as kind of a mind-game action series that I believe could have benefitted from better pacing, a more compact storyline and a clearly defined tone. Spoken language is Korean.
Signal (2016):
This one will put your brain to work and require you to reframe your way of thinking. You are going to need to deal with different timelines; something which often gets a bad rep (and for a good reason) but here it helps create an engaging narrative!
Overall, Signal maintain good tempo but first you need to power through the somewhat slow first episode. This is definitely a worthwhile series if you like feeling rewarded for paying attention; but blink and you will miss something!
Signal has some of my absolute favorite detectives and once you get invested in their well-being you're in for a rough time - totally worth it!
Spoken language is Korean.
Voice (2017-2021):
Voice operates on a whole different level of intensity. Time is always at the essence and the tempo seem to build throughout the series until you can substitute one episode for a cardio session!
Amazing acting, writing… visuals, and a terrifying villain.
The ending has been subject of debate; I personally did not care for it and if you trust my judgement on the matter - do yourself a favor and peace out when there are five or so minutes left. That being said, Voice is one of the first crime dramas I always recommend to people.
Spoken language is Korean.
A Wonderful Sight (Inspector Koo) (2021):
With A Wonderful Sight or 'Inspector Koo' as I know this series by, you are in for some of the strangest crime dramas out there – mainly due to its tone and pacing. This is a cat and mouse game between a disaster gamer detective and the most interesting psychopath portrayal I have ever seen. The writing is all over the place and the pacing often staggers, but damn it... I still think it is worth watching.
It is quirky, it is creative, it is dark and the soundtrack rocks!
Spoken language is Korean.
Life on Mars (2018):
Review pending!
Squid Game (2021):
For many, Squid Game was their first contact with Korean TV - however, I'd like to stress that Squid Game is kind of an aberration within the usual output of Korean television. Before watching, know that despite its bright color scheme, this is a dark and violent series creatively designed to make a compelling allegory about the hard life many Koreans experience under the crushing weight of financial and societal pressure. It does a great job blending the bizarre atmosphere of a deadly real-life game for money, with the backgrounds of the contestants and their personal struggles both within and outside the game. Spoken language is Korean.
List will be updated on occasion!
The Killing (American version):
The Killing takes place in Seattle and is a gloomy yet captivating series where the city itself feels like a protagonist. There's a perpetually grey tone about it, not just in a literal sense but also reflected in the characters and events. The Killing took me by surprise by the complexity and depth added to all its characters in ways that do not feel disruptive nor redundant to the overarching narrative - but rather works as a driving force. I believe the series loses momentum after season 3 but otherwise keeps an even pace. It does jerk you around a bit in the first episodes of the first season, but it gets better so hang in there.
Some... strange choices were made with Joel Kinnaman's character, but he somehow made it work. If you are a fan of broken yet symbiotic relations between detectives - this is it. Themes of drug use and sexual violence are present throughout, so be mindful of that before going in.
Spoken language is American English.
The Outsider:
I went into this series knowing nothing about the premise and I recommend you do the same.
But what I can say is that The Outsider is a harrowing series with great acting and pacing throughout! It also has a neurodivergent character and I think it handles that characterization well.
My main gripe with it comes down to the brief mention of sexual assault piled on for shock value. Aside from that, I can give it nothing but praise.
Spoken language is American English.
Mindhunter:
Mindhunter sets itself apart by acting partly as a documentary, retelling stories surrounding real events occurring in the 1970's while granting us insight in the social climate at the time - all while exploring the then-new concept of profiling, a method tailored to provide new insights in the psyche of serial killers. This is what makes the series so uniquely chilling to watch.
Mindhunter offers great detective team dynamics; we get to experience the team's various personal problems and feel the weight that this new science puts on them.
The pacing throughout the series is overall very well tuned with a mounting sense of dread. It makes for good re-watching and is also beautifully shot. Heads up though, it abruptly ends after 2 seasons and is not scheduled to ever be picked up again. And thus ends one of the best criminal dramas ever put to screen.
Mindhunter simply is a must-watch.
Spoken language is American English.
True Detective (Season 1):
True detective is an eerie, elegantly crafted series that is both gritty and dreamlike. Despite the many open spaces, it feels somewhat claustrophobic and is very intentional in what it chooses to disclose about its characters. It follows a classic detective narrative, but told in a unique fashion. Great detective dynamic, dysfunctional yet strangely symbiotic.
It surrounds very dark themes and is permeated by a deeply philosophical undertone. Beautifully shot with imagery that is bound to etch itself into your mind, True Detective delves into the human psyche in a way that transcends most crime dramas out there. I personally believe season 1 is the strongest and most compelling of the trilogy, but don't let that stop you from viewing them all. Themes of sexual abuse are present, so be mindful of that before going in. And in case you were wondering, the soundtrack of the intro is " Far from Any Road " by The Handsome Family.
Spoken language is American English.
Broadchurch:
Broadchurch is a British series with brilliant performances that also address the impact on everyday citizens in the wake of a horrific crime in a close-knit community. Unfortunately, there are parts to the series that could be considered redundant and it occasionally struggles with merging the main characters' personal problems with their profession in a seamless manner. Themes of sexual violence are present, so be mindful of that before going in. Broadchurch has a great detective teamup and the emotional impact on the characters in the show is palpable throughout. David Tennant, Olivia Colman and Jodie Whittaker absolutely shines here. Broadchurch starts off incredibly strong but does lose momentum after the second season, but all-in-all it is a memorable watch that I highly recommend! Spoken language is British English.
Stranger (Bimilui Soop) :
The spoken language is Korean.
Bron (The Bridge):
In classic Scandinavian fashion, Bron is a gritty, dry humoured series that does not pull any punches. The acting may come across as a bit stiff to people who are not familiar with Scandinavians, but let me assure you that this is just what Scandinavian people are like. Bron is indeed unapologetically Nordic, cold-cut and wistful... just thinking about it makes me want to put on an extra sweater.
Its main protagonist Saga Norén is generally perceived to have Asperger's syndrome, although this is not explicitly confirmed within the show, her straightforwardness and disregard for social queues may give viewers a bit of a whiplash at first. This is indeed something that one will need to get used to. The series is well paced and manages to balance private relationships with business in a manner that does not feel disruptive. It gets gritty and is not afraid to gamble with high stakes. Bron is a must-watch and sets the bar high for any other crime series - especially the first season.
The spoken languages are Swedish and Danish.
Touching Evil (2004):
Like with many series around the millennium shift, Touching Evil has a flair for the dramatics. In fact, it may come across as a bit 'extra' from time to time. Touching Evil follows a savant and quirky detective where the process of elimination is a bit all over the place. Jeffrey Donovan is fun as always, able to fully embrace the role of Detective David Creegan. Vera Farmiga is just kind of there, and later you will see a Bradley Cooper swoop in to steal just about every scene he is in. Spoken language is American English.
Millennium (1996):
With Millennium, there are plenty of times where neither you or the protagonist have any idea what's going on, leaving you with mounting piles of unanswered questions. At least for me, it felt difficult to organize Millennium. It is slow-paced, layered with enigmatic events. Like many shows around this time, surrounding relationships won't get much depth or significant attention, and is instead more heavily focused on the protagonist's investigations and their methods. Lance Henriksen's performance does however shine throughout the series. Spoken language is American English.
Happy Valley:
Happy Valley is a British series that manages to balance both the crime narrative and the personal and private aspect of its characters in a way that feels compelling throughout. It portrays an unglamorous life yet manages to convey its complexities and simplicities in a powerful manner. To put it simply, it feels real.
Elements of sexual violence is prevalent throughout - so be mindful. The show does serve up your typical dry witted brit humor (thank goodness) as it would be quite the heavy watch otherwise. Like with many other British series it does not rush and successfully builds up and capture a small-town atmosphere.
Spoken language is British English.
Fargo (Season 1-2):
With its stunning cinematography, dysfunctional comedy and abundance of compelling and unique characters, my mind was drawn to Wes Anderson when watching Fargo. This series really has a lot of humor regardless of how absolutely bizarre things get.
I personally believe that the first two seasons kick off with great pacing, but lose momentum in the third and fourth. Fargo sets the bar sky-high and is definitely a must-watch. Spoken language is American English.
Beck (Season 1-3):
This raw, aggressively Swedish series kicked off in 1997 and follows the mellow Martin Beck (Peter Haber) and the somewhat unhinged - definitely unfiltered, Gunvald Larsson (Mikael Persbrandt). The series takes you around Stockholm city and beyond with murders that are often as gruesome as they are creative. Investigations are wrapped up by the end of each episode and the series typically maintain a good pace. If you want some insight in Swedish living viewed from the lens of many different social classes, this is a great place to start.
Spoken language is Swedish.
Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries (2012-2015):
This uniquely charming, frankly somewhat erotic Australian series takes place in Melbourne shortly after the First World War.
The series showcases some amazing costumes and environments, as well as romantic elements and humor. While lighthearted at its core, the series sometimes address the scars left from the war and other heavy subjects - but it does not dwell on them. Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries is a journey and like a good book it leaves a comfortably nostalgic, lasting impression.
Spoken language British English.
Resident Alien (2021):
A must-watch for every sci-fi fan out there, but Resident Alien also follows an investigation surrounding a suspicious crime in a small town in Colorado. Resident Alien has a heartwarming depth and is quite funny in its own quirky way. However, if awkward social situations gets you all embarrassed, this might get a bit challenging to power through sometimes.
Great cast and pacing, everyone puts on a splendid performance - easily one of the funniest roles I have seen Alan Tudyk in and that's saying something! Warmly recommend even though the crime and investigation part does take the backseat role throughout most of the series.
Spoken language American English.
Johan Falk (2009):
This Swedish series follows an elite police force dealing with organized crime. Johan Falk takes you around various locations in Sweden where you meet a lot of different characters, criminals or otherwise, for an insight in this volatile reality. It maintains a good tempo, high on action and equally high on stakes! Like most Scandinavian crime television, Johan Falk is raw and straightforward, yet there are moments of warmth and dry humor. The series' narrative is partly based on real events surrounding an infiltrator and a whole lot of scandals within the Swedish police force. Spoken language is Swedish.
Burn Notice (2005):
For a show where practically every episode have a car chase or something exploding, Burn Notice is incredibly well written. The show blends action, humor, crime, spy work and drama all in one while keeping a great tempo and variation. Burn Notice's biggest drawback is not getting enough time with all the fun new characters that frequently guest the show. I believe Bruce Campbell's, Sharon Gless's and Jeffrey Donovan's performances make Burn Notice especially memorable. Burn Notice is a must-watch for any fan of spy work and action. It's a wild ride with all the kind of unhinged shenanigans typical of the early 2000's century.
Spoken language is American English.
A Killer's Shopping List (2022):
Despite being one of the most compact crime series I have ever watched, it is still one of my absolute favorites. The small scene makes it easy to get taken in by the atmosphere and feel an intimate connection to the characters. You get to root for everyday people at the heart of a community and I just think that is a nice change of pace. There are eight episodes in total, so if you are short on time, not looking for anything overly complicated or just aren't into longer series - this is the one for you.
Spoken language is Korean.
Link: Eat, Love, Kill (2022):
Review pending!
Bad and Crazy (2021-2022):
To me, Bad & Crazy is worth watching for two things and two things only; the villain and the bromance. It also delves into the effects of mental illness and the stigma that follows. It serves as kind of a mind-game action series that I believe could have benefitted from better pacing, a more compact storyline and a clearly defined tone. Spoken language is Korean.
Signal (2016):
This one will put your brain to work and require you to reframe your way of thinking. You are going to need to deal with different timelines; something which often gets a bad rep (and for a good reason) but here it helps create an engaging narrative!
Overall, Signal maintain good tempo but first you need to power through the somewhat slow first episode. This is definitely a worthwhile series if you like feeling rewarded for paying attention; but blink and you will miss something!
Signal has some of my absolute favorite detectives and once you get invested in their well-being you're in for a rough time - totally worth it!
Spoken language is Korean.
Voice (2017-2021):
Voice operates on a whole different level of intensity. Time is always at the essence and the tempo seem to build throughout the series until you can substitute one episode for a cardio session!
Amazing acting, writing… visuals, and a terrifying villain.
The ending has been subject of debate; I personally did not care for it and if you trust my judgement on the matter - do yourself a favor and peace out when there are five or so minutes left. That being said, Voice is one of the first crime dramas I always recommend to people.
Spoken language is Korean.
A Wonderful Sight (Inspector Koo) (2021):
With A Wonderful Sight or 'Inspector Koo' as I know this series by, you are in for some of the strangest crime dramas out there – mainly due to its tone and pacing. This is a cat and mouse game between a disaster gamer detective and the most interesting psychopath portrayal I have ever seen. The writing is all over the place and the pacing often staggers, but damn it... I still think it is worth watching.
It is quirky, it is creative, it is dark and the soundtrack rocks!
Spoken language is Korean.
Life on Mars (2018):
Review pending!
Squid Game (2021):
For many, Squid Game was their first contact with Korean TV - however, I'd like to stress that Squid Game is kind of an aberration within the usual output of Korean television. Before watching, know that despite its bright color scheme, this is a dark and violent series creatively designed to make a compelling allegory about the hard life many Koreans experience under the crushing weight of financial and societal pressure. It does a great job blending the bizarre atmosphere of a deadly real-life game for money, with the backgrounds of the contestants and their personal struggles both within and outside the game. Spoken language is Korean.
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