Looking for a drama that is both disturbing and compelling in equal measure? These unsettling series will guarantee you stay glued to the screen from start to finish.
10
Ozark
Watch Ozark on Netflix
Most of us think of Jason Bateman as a comedic actor, but in Ozark, he demonstrates impressive dramatic chops in this cautionary tale of corruption in the American Midwest. From its opening scene, we are drawn into the action, as Marty Byrde’s quiet suburban life is turned upside down when his business partner’s missteps entangle him with a violent drug cartel.
After going to ground in Missouri’s scenic Ozark National Park, things quickly escalate for the Byrde family as our antihero launches a desperate plan to launder millions in cartel money to keep them all alive. If you love tense, violent, and corrupt thrillers, Ozark delivers.
9
Smoke
Watch Smoke on Apple TV+
Smoke’s writer, Denis Lehane, first came to my attention as the writer of Mystic River. This series is just as gritty as that novel and subsequent movie, as we follow the movements of an arson investigator (Taron Egerton), who is morally ambiguous, despite his noble profession. From episode one, it draws you in, as our protagonist is teamed with a detective (Jurnee Smollett) to track two deadly firestarters—but all is not quite as it seems.
The action in Smoke is tightly paced and cinematic in tone, featuring a solid supporting cast that includes John Leguizamo and Greg Kinnear. A dramatic score enhances this unsettling drama, and it features numerous twists and shocking scenes to keep us engaged.
8
Mindhunter
Watch Mindhunter on Netflix
Mindhunter wastes no time in getting to the heart of the action, as it drops us into the world of criminal profiling in the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit. Drawing heavily from the experiences of FBI agents John E. Douglas and Robert Ressler, the chills come thick and fast as they try to reach deep into the minds of serial killers to understand the murderers’ pathology.
Chiefly directed by David Fincher, of Fight Club fame, Mindhunter is almost hypnotic in its sense of impending dread and horror that builds from the very first interview. If you are a fan of crime thrillers, this series, based on real events, pulls no punches as it dares to expose the source of true evil.
7
Severance
Watch Severance on Apple TV+
Don’t be fooled by the quirky antics and lovable characters in Severance. Beneath the surface lurks a very dark premise, where employees at Lumon Industries partition their work memories from their personal lives. You’re immediately plunged into a bizarre, Orwellian workplace that is both eerily mundane and deeply unsettling.
The entire series is permeated by a sense of quiet unease, aided by a minimalist score and the sterile environment in which the employees spend their days, in a bid to escape reality. The viewer is left constantly wondering what they are actually doing and what the underlying purpose behind the sinister Lumon is.
6
Dark
Watch Dark on Netflix
No list of dark dramas would be complete without Netflix’s Dark, which helps to define the genre. Best watched in the original German, with subtitles turned on, you will be drawn into this disturbing sci-fi mystery, centered around a disappearance that reverberates across generations.
While Dark begins quietly, the action quickly builds as we are introduced to interwoven families and a mysterious cave that conceals many secrets. The series is as immersive as it is complex, with many layers to keep us engrossed throughout.
5
Mr. Robot
Watch Mr. Robot on Prime Video
Mr. Robot quickly hurls you into a world of paranoia and digital espionage, as Elliot Alderson, a brilliant yet troubled hacker, is drawn into a dark underworld where corporate manipulation and psychological unraveling collide. An unsettling voiceover and glitchy, stylized editing create an atmosphere permeated by a feeling of dread.
In a series centered around the protagonist’s mental state, meaningful connections, and betrayal, Mr. Robot is notable for its gripping dialogue and intimate camerawork. From episode one, we are perpetually trying to figure out whom Eliot can trust and what is real. With standout performances from Rami Malek and Christian Slater, this series never falters across all four seasons.
4
The Handmaid’s Tale
Watch The Handmaid’s Tale on Netflix
From the moment The Handmaid’s Tale begins, you’re thrust into a dystopian nightmare that feels alien yet worryingly plausible. It is set in a future United States during a totalitarian regime that enforces strict roles and uses women as state property. From the start of the pilot, we are introduced to haunting visuals, oppressive rituals, and plenty of suspense, setting the scene for what’s to come.
The Handmaid’s Tale is as much a visual experience as it is a story, with plenty to draw the eye and keep us engrossed. Strong performances from Elisabeth Moss and Joseph Fiennes complete this modern classic that treads a fine line between despair and resistance, and keeps us wanting to see what happens next.
3
The Killing
Watch The Killing on Netflix
The Killing opens with a bleak Seattle landscape, drenched in rain and sorrow. The pilot introduces Detective Sarah Linden, whose persistent pursuit of the truth anchors the story throughout a politically charged murder investigation.
Episode one is tense, suspenseful, and emotional, as Linden’s weary yet determined investigator experiences highs and lows, with progress turning sour and every clue feeling like a descent further into the unknown. Steeped in grief, politics, and moral complexity, this series keeps you invested from the initial scenes.
2
Luther
Watch Luther on Netflix
Luther stars Idris Elba as a brooding and morally complex detective who is as flawed as he is brilliant. The pilot introduces the series with a chilling cat-and-mouse game between a crafty killer and Luther, as the darkness he hunts begins to unravel him.
Showcasing the seedier side of London, with bleak backdrops and taut suspense, it is Luther’s volatile persona that keeps you hooked. It’s fascinating watching him disintegrate as he goes to any lengths to finish the job.
1
Taboo
Watch Taboo on Netflix
Set in the Napoleonic era, Taboo follows the activities of James Keziah Delaney (Tom Hardy) as he returns home with a substantial share of his father’s shipping empire, while haunted by a dangerous past. The opening scenes are set in the gloomy depths of London, as our lead character moves through the city’s dark underbelly, motivated by scores that need settling.
Taboo has all the necessary features for a successful series, including a gripping plot, historical intrigue, a haunting score, and rich, cinematic visuals. This is no upbeat costume drama—it is a tale of vengeance, colonial horror, and hidden power that is guaranteed to draw you in.
While we all love a good comfort show when life is a little overwhelming, there are also times when we want something a bit grittier to sink our teeth into. Next time you’re looking for immersive, compulsive viewing that stakes its claim from episode one, consider one of these twisted yet compelling dramas. Whether it’s a psychological mind-bender (Mindhunter, Severance, Mr. Robot), a dystopian thriller (The Handmaid’s Tale), or disturbing sci-fi (Dark), there should be something to satisfy every palate, no matter how dark your tastes.
