Many TV thrillers can be too disturbing to watch again, but true classics like Breaking Bad and Twin Peaks are worth revisiting. TV shows often mislead viewers, but thrillers uniquely manage to entertain while doing so.
It’s usually just frustrating when a TV show or movie tries to trick you in a comedy or drama. But thrillers aim to mislead you – viewers expect to be surprised, kept on edge, and even a little disturbed. However, sometimes a thriller succeeds too well, becoming overly unsettling.
Some thrillers and shows are just too intense or disturbing to watch again. Luckily, the classic shows on this list aren’t like that. While they can be quite dark, they’re complex enough to reward a second viewing – you’ll likely notice details you missed the first time.
You
If you’ve seen Netflix’s five seasons of You, it’s worth watching again. Based on Caroline Kepnes’ novels, the show follows Joe, played by Penn Badgley, a seemingly charming man who is actually a dangerous stalker, torturer, and murderer.
I was completely hooked by the show! It’s told through the eyes of Joe, and his witty, sometimes dark, commentary really pulls you in. It’s a wild ride with lots of twists I didn’t see coming, and the suspense just keeps building. Honestly, I was so stressed about whether he’d get away with everything, and also secretly wanting someone to stop him, that I probably missed a bunch of clues and clever lines the first time I watched it!
Knowing how Joe’s story ends in You makes rewatching the five seasons much more rewarding. You can finally appreciate the show’s careful planning and satisfying reveals. The first time you watch, it’s so suspenseful you might miss a lot of the subtle details, but that’s what rewatching is for!
Breaking Bad
Similar to You, Breaking Bad is a highly acclaimed, five-season thriller that consistently creates suspense. From the very first episode, the show expertly raises the stakes, beginning as a darkly humorous story about a dissatisfied teacher who turns to crime to provide for his family.
As Breaking Bad went on, it really transformed into something much more intense and complex – honestly, it felt almost Shakespearean in how tragic everything became. By the end of the series, it was a truly harrowing look at a man destroying himself, one of the darkest character studies I’ve ever seen on TV. It left me wanting to immediately go back to the very first episode and see how it all unfolded.
Hannibal
Before The Silence of the Lambs, Bryan Fuller created Hannibal, a show that’s beautifully dark and atmospheric. Even though we know how the story of the young Hannibal Lecter will eventually unfold, the intense and thrilling dynamic between him and a detective fixated on his case keeps you hooked from beginning to end.
Honestly, Hannibal is so intense and disturbing – it’s the kind of show that makes you cringe but you can’t look away. It’s a really unique blend of horror and thriller, and I think you actually need to watch it more than once to fully appreciate how brilliantly disturbing it is. I know I’ll be rewatching it soon!
Maniac
Image courtesy of Everett Collection
Many consider Maniac to be one of Netflix’s hidden gems. The series brought Emma Stone and Jonah Hill back together, and it’s a wildly original mix of drama, science fiction, suspense, and dreamlike imagery. They play people taking part in a drug trial, but that’s just the starting point for a much more mind-bending and complex story.
Maniac is a richly symbolic and carefully crafted series that gets better with each viewing. It can feel confusing at first, but understanding the plot unlocks a deeper appreciation for its complex story.
Behind Her Eyes
Many of these shows are now considered classics or are true TV icons. Then there’s Behind Her Eyes. This silly, over-the-top Netflix miniseries might seem different from the rest, but its shocking twist ending makes it a worthwhile addition to the list.
The Netflix series Behind Her Eyes follows a single mother who starts a relationship with her married boss. Complicating matters, she unexpectedly becomes friends with his wife. The show quickly takes a strange turn, and the ending is so shocking that viewers will want to watch it again immediately to see if they missed any clues.
The Devil’s Hour
Prime Video’s The Devil’s Hour, created by Tom Moran, features Peter Capaldi as Gideon Shepherd, a criminal who says he remembers events before they happen. He claims these future memories can help a social worker with apparent psychic abilities solve crimes. Despite a potentially over-the-top premise, the show is surprisingly grim and unsettling.
Moran’s series revolves around conversations between Sheperd and a compassionate but struggling social worker, as they race to prevent a series of violent murders. Initially captivating, The Devil’s Hour is especially rewarding on a second viewing because its clever ending ties all the pieces together.
The Outsider
Based on Stephen King’s novel The Outsider, the story starts as a typical mystery. A Little League coach is accused of a terrible crime, and while there’s strong proof he did it, there’s also convincing evidence showing he couldn’t have.
At first, The Outsider seems like a typical crime investigation. But a major, unexpected reveal quickly turns it into a supernatural thriller, and you’ll likely need to watch it again to fully grasp the complex story.
Sharp Objects
Based on Gillian Flynn’s first novel – a book even Stephen King admired – the 2018 miniseries Sharp Objects is a chilling and atmospheric Southern Gothic tale. It centers on Amy Adams, who plays a journalist with a difficult past as she returns to her hometown to report on a series of disturbing murders.
Sharp Objects is a slow-burn, deeply disturbing show that combines psychological horror, family drama, and mystery. It culminates in a major twist revealed in the last five minutes, and is cleverly constructed so the reveal is hidden in plain sight. This makes re-watching the series rewarding, as viewers realize the clues were there all along.
Mindhunter
The series Mindhunter is inspired by the non-fiction book Mindhunter: Inside the FBI’s Elite Serial Crime Unit. It explores the beginnings of the FBI’s use of criminal psychology. Throughout the show, two agents interview serial killers, hoping to understand what drives them and ultimately prevent future crimes.
If you enjoy crime dramas like Criminal Minds and The Silence of the Lambs, you won’t want to miss Mindhunter. It’s a gripping show with a dark and unsettling atmosphere. The only downside is that it’s too short – you’ll likely finish it wanting more, making a re-watch almost inevitable.
Twin Peaks
David Lynch and Mark Frost’s Twin Peaks is a truly unique and often conflicting TV series. The original season is endlessly enjoyable, mixing quirky humor, a compelling murder mystery, and classic small-town drama. In contrast, the 2017 revival, Twin Peaks: The Return, is a strikingly strange and disturbing viewing experience.
Even though the most shocking part of Twin Peaks makes each viewing heartbreaking, the show continues to attract repeat viewers. It’s a truly original series that masterfully blends moving, brutal, terrifying, funny, tragic, and heartwarming moments – making it as endlessly rewatchable as a thriller like Breaking Bad.
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2025-11-17 21:54