This week, Netflix unveiled its much-anticipated limited series adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s timeless classic, The Talented Mr. Ripley. With this Andrew Scott release taking centre stage, our weekend binge list also naturally gravitates towards the psychological thriller genre.
Directed by Steven Zaillian, this neo-noir eight-episode journey is shot in captivating black and white amid the backdrop of 1960s Italy. It offers a gripping exploration of deceit, fraud, and murder. It’s just one of many classic psychological thrillers to dive into.
Whether you’re a fan of twisted plots, deviously shady characters, and spine-tingling suspense, these five essential psychological thriller series on Netflix are guaranteed to keep you glued to the screen this weekend.
So, buckle up for a rollercoaster ride through the minds of characters teetering on the edge of morality. Happy bingeing!
Five essential psychological thriller series to binge on Netflix:
Ripley
Based on Patricia Highsmith’s 1955 crime novel, The Talented Mr. Ripley, this series introduces Andrew Scott as Tom Ripley, alongside Johnny Flynn as Dickie Greenleaf and Dakota Fanning as Marge Sherwood.
Created, written, and directed by Steven Zaillian, this limited series is set in the 1960s. The story follows Tom Ripley’s journey as he is tasked with persuading Dickie Greenleaf to return home from Italy. However, what begins as a seemingly straightforward assignment soon spirals into a web of deceit, fraud, and, ultimately, murder.
Mindhunter
Delve into the intricate workings of the human mind with Mindhunter, a gripping Netflix original series created by Joe Penhall.
Set in the late 1970s, this psychological thriller follows FBI agents Holden Ford (played by Jonathan Groff) and Bill Tench (played by Holt McCallany) as they pioneer the development of modern serial killer profiling. Inspired by real-life events and characters, Mindhunter offers a chilling exploration of the darkest recesses of the criminal psyche.
Hannibal
There is a macabre brilliance of Hannibal, a mesmerising psychological thriller series developed by Bryan Fuller.
Starring Mads Mikkelsen as the iconic Dr Hannibal Lecter and Hugh Dancy as FBI profiler Will Graham, this visually stunning masterpiece delves into the complex relationship between the two protagonists. Set before the events of Thomas Harris’s novel Red Dragon, the series offers a tantalising glimpse into the early days of Lecter’s cat-and-mouse game with the authorities.
Behind Her Eyes
Behind Her Eyes, based on Sarah Pinborough’s novel of the same name, mixes psychological manipulation with a generous dose of the supernatural.
Created by Steve Lightfoot, this series follows the intertwining lives of Louise (Simona Brown), David (Tom Bateman), and Adele (Eve Hewson) as they become embroiled in a twisted love triangle. As hidden agendas come to light and reality blurs with fantasy, Behind Her Eyes starts challenging your perceptions.
You
Starring Penn Badgley as bookstore manager Joe Goldberg, You is an addictive series that offers a disturbing glimpse into the mind of a charming yet deeply disturbed protagonist.
As Joe becomes infatuated with aspiring writer Beck (Elizabeth Lail), it becomes evident that he will stop at nothing to win her over. While the subsequent seasons might feel repetitive, the first season of You is a strong contender for being one of the best modern-day psycho-stalker-killer stories.
