One of the most popular genures of cinema/television is horror. From zombie thrillers like Walking Dead to a show which is all about the devil himself and his escapades (Lucifer), Netflix has a fine collection of horror-thriller shows that will keep you entertained (and possibly scared). Here is a look at the best horror shows on the streaming platform.
1. The Haunting of Hill House
Mike Flanagan is a familiar name among horror movie enthusiasts. The director, with movies like Gerald's Game, Absentia, Oculus, and Hush, carved a niche for himself in the horror film genre. The Haunting of Hill House, which follows five adult siblings whose paranormal experiences at Hill House 26 years ago continue to haunt them even in the present day, comes from Flanagan and manages to do what the director does best—scare you. The show alternates between two timelines—the summer of 1992, when Hugh and Olivia Crain and their five children—Steven, Shirley, Theodora (Theo), Luke, and Eleanor move into Hill House, and 26 years later when the Crain siblings and their estranged father reunite after a tragedy. The show received critical acclaim for its acting, directing, and production values. If you are a fan of jump scares, a few good ones are waiting for you in The Haunting of Hill House, although the show works more as a psychological horror than a supernatural thriller.
2. The Haunting of Bly Manor
Okay, this one is by Mike Flanagan again. "The story tells of a young au pair hired by a man to look after his niece and nephew at the family country house after they fall into his care. Arriving at the Bly estate, she begins to see apparitions that proceed to haunt the premises," a synopsis of The Haunting of Bly Manor reads. While the show cannot claim to be as scary as The Haunting of Hill House and is more of a slow burn when compared it its predecessor, it still has its moments. Inspired by the work of Henry James and his 1898 horror novella 'The Turn of the Screw', the show is a gothic romance and a horror thriller in equal measures, and that is what makes the series unique—it charms the viewer even as it offers plenty of scares. The show has been highly praised for its stunning cinematography, acting, and the way it explores its main theme, which is love.
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3. All of Us Are Dead
If you are a fan of Korean zombie flicks like #Alive and Train to Busan, here's another one for you. All of US are Dead revolves around students at a high school falling prey to a zombie attack after a science experiment goes wrong. With no food or water, and communication cut off by the government, the students must use equipment they can get their hands on in the school to protect themselves or become infected. There is plenty of blood, gore and violence, and stylized action. Even as the show is all about zombies and a bunch of students trying to stay not infected, it also manages to squeeze in some social commentaries about issues like social inequality and bullying. There is also a lot of focus on character building and this is not lost even when they turn monstrous. Of course, you may find all the familiar tropes of zombie horror flicks like a science experiment gone wrong, rapid infections, and people not willing to help each other. But the brilliantly staged action sequences, the fact that the director never lets us forget that we are still watching a teen show—of boys and girls nursing their grudges even when there are zombies all around them—work is the show's favour.
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4. The Walking Dead
This post-apocalyptic horror has always been a fan favourite. In the wake of a zombie apocalypse, survivors attempt to stay alive and search for safety. The undead are after them, and they are also forced to grapple with rival groups and make difficult choices. Over the course of 11 seasons, the show, based on the comic book series of the same name, managed to build a loyal fan base and has been nominated for a host of awards, including the Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Drama and the Writers Guild of America Award for New Series. What makes the show highly enjoyable is its unpredictability—it is hard to root for any of the leading characters because anyone could die at any time! The Walking Dead has everything that grind-house enthusiasts expects from a horror series, including tense moments, bloody action, excessive, gratuitous violence and bloodshed, and of course scary looking zombies.
5. Cabinet of Curiosities
When it comes to monsters and weird creatures, Guillermo del Toro is a name that you can trust. From The Devil's Backbone to Nightmare Alley and more, the director is one of the finest when it comes to the horror genre. Cabinet of Curiosities, a horror anthology, featuring eight modern horror stories, is created by Guillermo del Toro, with him co-writing two of the stories. The show won high praise for its ingenuity, visual brilliance, performances, and the themes explored. One of the reviewers called the anthology a "grisly and nightmarish feast for fans of the sinister and the supernatural." While Guillermo del Toro directed only one episode (Lot 36) in the series, his curatorial care is visible in each of the episodes—some of them creepy, some plain absurd, but all of the highly enjoyable for the fans of the genre.
6. Marianne
Next in the list is a French show, Marianne. Now, if you are a fan of the traditional horror genre, this one is definitely for you. "Lured back to her hometown, a famous horror writer discovers that the evil spirit who plagues her dreams is now wreaking havoc in the real world," reads the Netflix synopsis of Marianne. You are sure to find a few familiar tropes in this show, including a tiny town that the lead character leaves behind, a town priest, and ghosts of the past apart from an evil spirit that haunts the townsfolk. Despite the familiarity, Marianne has some finely crafted horror sequences that are likely to scare the living daylights out of you. Expect some jump scares as well because what's a good horror show without a few good jump scares? The perfectly-paced eight-episode Marianne does full justice to the traditional horror genre, as it is bolstered by some fine writing, great camera work, and praiseworthy performances, keeping you hooked till the last minute.
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7. Archive 81
Based on the podcast of the same name, Archive 81 has been described as an "intriguing blend of horror and noir." The eight-episode show has much to offer, from supernatural events, cults, conspiracies and paranoia as its Netflix synopsis suggests: "An archivist takes a job restoring damaged videotapes and gets pulled into the vortex of a mystery involving the missing director and a demonic cult." Apart from the scare and intrigue, the show also boasts of some fantastic performances, especially from Mamoudou Athie and Dina Shihabi. The series unfolds through found-footage, a familiar technique in this genure, and jumps between timelines as Athie's Dan Turner learns the mystery surrounding 90s-era video cassettes filmed by a grad student, Melody Pendras, played by Dina Shihabi.
8. Lucifer
Okay, this one may not exactly be classified 'horror' as it is more of a fantasy drama. Then again, it has everything from a very playful god, demons, zombies, hell, heaven, and the titular, leader of all fallen angels, Lucifer Morningstar. Based on the DC Comics character created by Neil Gaiman, Sam Kieth, and Mike Dringenberg, the show is about how Lucifer decided to leave hell and spend time with humans as he thinks this will help him better understand humanity. He settles in Los Angeles, opens a nightclub, builds a connection with a homicide detective, and eventually falls in love with her while investigating various cases with her as a police consultant. "This version of Lucifer refuses to take almost anything seriously and the show is better for it," reads a review of the show. And that's right! It is a fun show, with plenty of humour thrown in, but has enough gore, demons, and tense moments to keep you highly entertained. Tom Ellis won high praise for his performance as Lucifer and won Bisexual Representation Awards for Best Bisexual Representation by a Lead Character – Male.
9. Van Helsing
During the initial days of its release, Van Helsing was accused of trying hard to imitate The Walking Dead, because there was much similarity in the premise. It was a survival horror show with zombies, set in a post-apocalyptic near future. "After three years in a coma, Vanessa awakens to a world ravaged by vampires. Now, she and a motley band of fellow survivors fight to stay alive," the Netflix synopsis of the show reads. You, then, can't be faulted if you thought that this was just an attempt to latch on to the success of The Walking Dead. However, a few episodes in, you realize that this vampire thriller is a world unto itself. There is magic, prophecies, and twists and turns that you will hardly see coming, and of course plenty of gore, violence and bloodshed. The show also boasts some fine acting performances, especially from Kelly Overton who plays Vanessa Van Helsing, and Jonathan Scarfe as Axel Miller. If you are in the mood for some vampires, this one is a fine pick.
10. Devil in Ohio
Determined to protect a young patient who escaped a mysterious cult, a psychiatrist takes the girl in, putting her own family — and life — in danger. Devil in Ohio isn't about what the name suggests. There is no devil in the show, although there is an inordinate amount of time spent on the ominous, crows and decapitated pig heads. But the show is mostly about those who worship the Moringstar and are even ready to sacrifice other human beings to him. However, if you are in the mood for some cheap scares, spooky scenarios, and scary folks, this one is for you. Based on Daria Polatin’s 2017 novel of the same name, this show isn't just about people worshipping the devil and the plight of the youngster who escaped a cult, it also focuses on parental abuse and neglect and the toll that these can take on a person. There are also plenty of twists and turns to keep you engaged.
