Crime thriller TV series are almost everyone’s cup of tea. These shows leave at tense, thrilling and almost impossible to put down once you start. Apple TV+’s newest release Criminal Record, starring Peter Capaldi and Cush Jumbo, is a deliciously twisted mystery, with every episode progressing the story and the characters in a well-paced manner that keeps you clutching your heart! Once you’ve finished watching the series, you might feel like watching something similar, something that will make you question what comes next and the twists and turns keeping things fresh and entertaining.
Kohrra
This crime-thriller police procedural series stars Barun Sobti and Suvinder Vicky and is a slow burn that keeps things interesting in every episode. The mystery and the drama haunt the audience in every frame as two police officers try to solve the murder of a newly married man. Apart from the crime mystery, it is also an exploration of Punjab’s essence and culture, as well as human emotions and social issues. The various themes that the series plays with are deeply engaging as it is relatable and keeps people engaged. The actors also do a brilliant job of embodying these deeply relatable, grey and engaging characters, which will really add to your viewing experience.
Farzi
This is a black comedy crime thriller series produced and directed by Raj & DK and stars a stellar cast, including Shahid Kapoor, Vijay Sethupathi, Kay Kay Menon, Raashii Khanna, Bhuvan Arora and others. The storyline follows Sunny’s quest to overcome the income inequality in India and gets into the counterfeit money business in order to get rich. The dark comedy bits of the series are delicious and merge beautifully with the thrilling, fast-paced storyline. With an amazing set of actors who do a phenomenal job with their characters, this series is a worthy watch.
Taxi Driver
This Korean crime-comedy TV series stars Lee Je-hoon, Esom, Kim Eui-sung, Pyo Ye-jin and others. With two fantastic seasons, each with its own merits, the series is an arresting watch thanks to its relatable characters, well-paced thrills and comedy that blends seamlessly into the fabric of the show. There’s also some great social commentary that the series showcases that will leave you relatable more to the story and the characters making you root for them to get out of the tunnel at the end. The story follows Kim Do-gi and his team, who offer to exact revenge for those who want it for a price. This unique blend of thrill and comedy is the perfect watch for those who want an immersive experience without the heaviness of crime-thrillers.
Mindhunter
Truly a different kind of series in the genre, this show follows the birth of the Behavioral Science Unit of the FBI in the 1970s when criminal profiling was in its infancy. Its thrilling storyline, the protagonists, played by Jonathan Groff and Holt McCallany, and the great casting of infamous serial killers will leave you at the edge of your seats. It’s truly an experience to watch this series play out, and the way the two principal characters deal with the serial killers and their own lives in the midst of this changing atmosphere in the criminal world will leave you reeling and hooked to every frame.
Don’t F**k with Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer
There’s something about this crime-thriller docuseries that will truly get under your skin. We all hate people who hurt innocent animals, but when horrible crimes against animals are posted online as some sick joke, you can’t help but want justice. That’s the journey we go down in this show that starts off with something horrible and gets more horrible as the runtime progresses. The making of the series and the way it flows will keep you hooked to the screen, wondering what happens next. Although it gets a little unbelievable sometimes, it’s still thoroughly engaging, and the insanity of the crime will leave you utterly thrilled.
Somebody
Starring Kim Young-kwang, Kang Hae-rim, Kim Yong-ji, and Kim Soo-yeon, this Korean crime-thriller takes us on a wild goose chase as a software developer in a bid to catch a psychotic killer ends up falling in love with him. This dark and dreary show’s atmosphere is half of the work done but adds to the rather twisted and horrifying things that take place throughout its runtime, and the threatening dance between Kim Sum and Sung Yun-oh is deliciously twisted for lovers of all things disturbing.
Stranger
This 2017 Korean series with two seasons is a thrilling ride with a tight script and equally amazing performances. The principal’s characters’ chemistry and the gripping murder mystery work together seamlessly in a show that keeps you hooked. The storyline follows Prosecutor Hwang Si-mok and Police Lieutenant Han Yeo-jin’s efforts to solve a case together while going through the highs and lows of their own lives. The description might be simple, but the nuances in the story are simply in a league of their own, and there isn’t a moment where you will find your mind wandering. If you like watching shows that will make you think, and if you have loved Signal or Kingdom, this one will be right up your league.
Dahaad
This police procedural crime thriller series, starring Sonakshi Sinha, Gulshan Devaiah, Vijay Varma and others, is a riveting and unnerving watch thanks to the amazing performances by the actors and tight and relatable storyline that will fill your heart with fear. The social commentary on the injustices faced due to caste differences and Anjali’s quest to find a psychopath serial killer who murders women searching for marriage make this a worthy watch that will get to you sometimes. You relate to Anjali as she stands up against injustices not just in her professional life but in her personal one as well, which makes the series an even more gripping entry.
Fargo
This well-loved show is a favourite among fans of the genre, and for good reason! The series follows an anthology format, focusing on different crimes in different timelines, with only a very minor thread connecting all of the stories. Its unique storytelling adds to its intrigue, and starring a cast of very talented actors, Fargo‘s five seasons will be over in a breeze. The dark humour and odd twists are delicious to watch, and regardless of how much I try, I probably won’t be able to break down the sheer brilliance of each season of the show in this article. So, if you’re yet to dive into the absurd, this is one of the best crime thriller TV shows that is a must-watch.
Which of these shows do you love? Let us know in the comments below!
Also Read: Criminal Record Review: Peter Capaldi-Cush Jumbo Star in Apple TV’s Arresting Crime-Drama