Atlanta: The 21st Century’s Twilight Zone With A 98% Rotten Tomatoes Score

It’s hard to neatly categorize the show Atlanta, but if you’re looking for something similar, The Twilight Zone might be the closest comparison. The Twilight Zone was a groundbreaking series that explored many genres, including science fiction, horror, and dystopian themes.

Since the original The Twilight Zone aired, there have been three attempts to remake it, with mixed results. While each new series has its fans, none have quite lived up to the impact of the first one. Perhaps we’re searching for something different than a direct continuation of The Twilight Zone.

What Is Atlanta About?

Atlanta is a TV show that first aired on FX in 2016 and blends comedy, drama, and even horror. Six years later, it still receives incredibly high praise, with a 98% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Created by and starring Donald Glover as Earnest “Earn” Marks, the show follows Earn’s life in Atlanta, Georgia, as he navigates supporting his friends and family.

The show primarily follows Earn as he tries to launch the rap career of his cousin. But by season three, the story takes surprising turns, and even features Donald Glover and other actors playing entirely new characters in separate, unconnected plots. It feels like a collection of standalone stories, even though it’s not officially labeled as an anthology series.

Why Atlanta Is This Century’s Twilight Zone

Atlanta is a show that constantly evolves, making it hard to pin down. What the show was about in its first season is very different from what it becomes later on. It starts with Earn trying to provide for his child, but quickly shifts to include bizarre and unsettling storylines, like Donald Glover’s portrayal of the mysterious and potentially dangerous character, Teddy Perkins.

Donald Glover described the approach to writing Atlanta as creating “short stories” (according to AVClub). This explains why the show feels like an anthology series, similar to The Twilight Zone. While Atlanta features consistent characters and a particular atmosphere, each episode often plays out like a standalone fairytale, echoing the style of The Twilight Zone.

Atlanta Should Never Come Back

Donald Glover intended for Atlanta to have just four seasons, stating that was always the plan (according to Variety). Despite this, he hasn’t ruled out a potential return to the show if a compelling reason arises, given his experience in television.

There’s no need for an Atlanta revival, and it’s likely best to leave a truly exceptional show alone. Just because a series is brilliant doesn’t mean we should exhaust every possible idea. Some shows, like Atlanta and the original The Twilight Zone, are best enjoyed for the limited number of seasons they offer.

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2025-12-16 21:30