10 More Venomous Picks
The Serpent is a twisty-turny thriller documenting the infamous reign of Charles Sobhraj in the mid 70’s. With lots of time jumps, a big cat and mouse chase and some shocking revelations, this series certainly leaves a big impression. If you’ve finished watching this one and are looking for alternatives – fret not! We’ve combed through the archives and saved you the hassle with our top 10 picks for alternate viewing. To keep things simple for skim-readers we’ve added what similarities these have. Of course for all the shows we’ve reviewed, we’ve also added a handy link so you can check out our full thoughts on that series and see if it’s something you want to invest your time with. So without further ado, we present 10 TV shows that should whet the appetite when you’ve finished streaming The Serpent.
Manhunt: Unabomber
Similarities – Hunting A Killer
Based on true events, Manhunt: Unabomber blurs the line between fact and fiction in this dramatized reconstruction of the Unabomber case in 1995. Although it suffers from unnecessary padding in the middle episodes, Manhunt is a decent show sprinkled with some excellent acting. The show has a solid pacing too, producing an enthralling, binge-worthy show about the notorious postal bomb killer. Informative and surprisingly realistic in the way it depicts investigative work, Manhunt: Unabomber should be a hit with true crime fans. You can read our thoughts on Manhunt: Unabomber in our full season review here!
Mindhunter
Similarities – Dark Drama & Psychological Thriller
In terms of what you’d want from a crime thriller, Mindhunter ticks all the right boxes. Smartly written, brilliantly acted and technically sound, Mindhunter is a rare breed of TV show and certainly a must-watch. The concept here is simple. Set in the late 1970s, two FBI agents are tasked with interviewing serial killers to solve open cases. This unique concept helps pave way for some unnerving dialogue and a really gripping story across the show’s two seasons. With a third season still unknown right now, Mindhunter has enough to enjoy with its two seasons to make it essential viewing for anyone who enjoyed Behind Her Eyes. You can read our thoughts on Mindhunter in our full season review here!
American Crime Story: The People VS O.J. Simpson
Similarities – True Story & Drama
Is O.J. Simpson a murderer? It’s a question that’s plagued the minds of people since the infamous case occurred back in 1994 and it’s something that continues to be a big talking point today. American Crime Story’s first season is a dramatized recreation of that infamous case, playing out as a courtroom drama with solid acting and some tightly refined camera work. The tense and dramatic way this case unfolds is something that’s really endearing and partly the reason it works as well as it does. You can read our thoughts on American Crime Story in our full season review here!
La Mante
Similarities – Serial Killer & Psychological Thriller
Split across six episodes, La Mante (The Mantis in English) is a French crime thriller boasting a well written script and decent acting. The violence is brutally depicted and some of the scenes are genuinely cringe-inducing. Set in France, a series of brutal murders lead to a notorious serial killer known as The Mantis captured and jailed for life. When a copycat killer surfaces years later and continues the reign of terror she started, the police are at a loss for leads. This is a simple series in truth but one that holds a decent mystery at the heart of it. You can read our thoughts on La Mante in our season review here!
Evil Genius
Similarities – Shocking Case
Split across four informative parts, Evil Genius: The True Story of America’s Most Diabolical Bank Heist is an in-depth true-crime documentary series exploring the infamous Pizza Bomber Heist in America. For those outside the US this is likely to be a relatively unknown story and the incredulous way this tale unravels raises a lot of questions early on. Those more familiar with the story will still find interest here too though, as the series combines archival footage, interview segments and mainstream news reporting with never-before-seen footage to help piece together the bizarre mystery that gripped America for years. The ending is every bit as shocking and satisfying as one may expect, bringing another truly engrossing and absorbing series to Netflix. You can read our thoughts on Evil Genius in our full season review here!
Stranger (Secret Forest)
Similarities – Shocking Case & Police Work
tvN’s first Saturday/Sunday night drama is an absolute firecracker. Blending excellent characterization, lots of twists and some believable detective work, Stranger is a must-watch Korean drama. A winner of 3 Baeksang Awards, Stranger earns those accolades with a story that keeps you guessing right to the very end. What’s particularly impressive with this show though is just how much chemistry the lead duo have without a single ounce of romance. There’s no romantic sub-plot or the usual tropes you’d expect, save for some late-season drama that tackles political ideas we’ve seen many times before. The catalyst for all of this drama is the death of Moo-Sung Park. Found dead in his apartment, prosecutor Si-Mok rushes to the scene and begins piecing together what really happened. With a TV repairman scrambling from the scene, Si-Mok joins police detective Yeo-Jin in chase and bring the suspect to custody. What seems like a simple crime soon reveals layers of shocking corruption at both the police station and the prosecution office. This leads all the way up the chain of command to various powerful players pulling the strings. You can read our thoughts on Stranger in our full season review here!
Ozark
Similarities – Cat & Mouse Chase
Gripping, thrilling and soaked in dramatic tension, Ozark is a well-paced show that proves to be another home run for Netflix Originals. The story here revolves around a family who find their lives turned upside down by their father, Marty, who happens to be a financial advisor. Only, he’s also one of the top money launderers to the second largest drug cartel in Mexico. When things inevitably go awry, the family are forced to uproot from their cushy lifestyle and move to Missouri, Ozarks. With three seasons already out and a fourth on the horizon, Ozark is definitely one of the better crime dramas out there and well worth watching.
The Fall
Similarities – Cat & Mouse Chase
The Fall is a psychological thriller that revolves around the lives of two hunters. On the one hand, we have a serial killer called Paul Spector who stalks his victims in and around Belfast. On the other end of the chase is Police Superintendent Stella Gibson, a senior investigating officer. With precious time ticking away, Stella’s team works tirelessly to try and build a case, only to meet various complications in and out the Irish police service. Well-acted and dripping in tension, The Fall is less a whodunit and more about the chase itself, documenting the trials and tribulations along the way. It’s a wonderful series, although the third and final season does jump the gun a little. Despite that, The Fall is an enthralling watch.
Mr. Mercedes
Similarities – Cat & Mouse Chase
Mr Mercedes is a well crafted, enjoyable thriller from start to finish, even if it is a little slow paced during the halfway point of the series. With a dual focus on the two excellent lead characters, culprit Brady and ex-Detective Bull Hodges, this character-driven romp is well worth checking out. A shocking, gut wrenching opening immediately sets the tone and mood, giving Mr Mercedes an unremorseful, no-holds-barred feel. After this short prologue, the story officially picks up 2 years later. Bill, the lead investigator in the Mercedes case, is now retired from police work with the unresolved case still haunting him. A strange message on Bill’s computer though, reignites the chase for our culprit, setting up a dangerous game of cat and mouse as Bill and Brady attempt to outsmart and out-maneuver one another. You can read our thoughts on Mr Mercedes in our full season reviews here!
Night Stalker
Similarities – Serial Killer
Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer is a really great documentary series. It’s a riveting, utterly engrossing account of a serial killer who went on to be charged with 13 counts of murder, 11 counts of sexual assault, 5 counts of attempted murder, and 14 counts of burglary. Trust us when we say, this one is not for the faint-hearted. The four episodes waste absolutely no time getting right to the heart of the case, following the boots-on-the-ground officers in charge of tracking down the notorious night stalker, Richard Ramirez. The episodes that follow do switch up the perspective but remain no less engrossing and hard-hitting. A must-watch for sure. You can read our thoughts on Night Stalker in our full season reviews here! So there we have it, our 10 TV show alternatives to watch when you’re finished with The Serpent on BBC/Netflix. What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!
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