If you’re like me, there’s a good chance you’re sitting at home on the couch, scrolling through Netflix looking for a new guilty pleasure to binge watch. We’re all familiar with the all too often recommended shows: "Gilmore Girls," "One Tree Hill," "Law & Order: SVU," etc. With that in mind, I’ve compiled a list of four new shows — that you may or may not have heard of — destined to capture your attention, whether you like a little mystery, crime or romance.
If you’ve got some time on your hand, give it a go.
(These are not listed in any particular order.)
1. "Slasher"
Three words: gory, gruesome and gripping. Yes, there is blood — in some scenes, it’s more violent than it needs to be in my opinion. On Halloween in 1994, a young couple is murdered in their home by an eerie, masked figure — the wife, pregnant at the time, bleeds out as her baby is cut from the womb. The murderer — dubbed the Executioner — is caught red-handed, holding the newborn baby girl in his arms. Cut to present time, Sarah — now grown — moves back into town to live in the house where her family was murdered with her journalist husband; she ultimately sets off the newest killing spree when someone dressed like the Executioner begins offing townspeople committing the seven deadly sins. Add in a little kidnapping, some crazy townsfolk, and a few secret love affairs and this show is destined to be a favorite.
Though only eight episodes, this series will keep you on the edge of your seat the entire time. It’s the perfect summer whodunit. Just remember nobody is who they seem.
2. "The Messengers"
OK, fair warning; this show only has one season and it ends on a cliffhanger. But please, don’t let that deter you from watching this one! It also features biblical references — as the entire show represents the battle between good and evil. Just when you think the blast from a grounded meteor kills seven different people, they surprisingly all wake up with special gifts designed to help them fulfill their duties as God’s Messengers of the Apocalypse. Sounds pretty crazy, I know. But it turns into the most epic battle as the seven strangers race to stop the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse before the world succumbs to a deadly end. Don’t worry, if you think the biblical references are going to turn you off, just give it a try. The story manages to show you how simply seven lives can overlap, and the importance of finding solace in one another.
Plus, one of the leads is Shantel VanSanten, who for those of you who don’t know plays Quinn in the teen drama, "One Tree Hill." How could you say no?
3. "Survivors"
Aired on BBC in 2008, "Survivors" is pretty much your average dystopian: a flu pandemic wipes out most of Earth’s population. The series follows the surviving characters as they cope with civil unrest, a shortage of supplies, and the threat of the airborne virus. Though the seasons are relatively short, the episodes are jam-packed with intricate storylines, as each of the members of the survival group attempt to find out what caused the pandemic, amidst other personal agendas. If I told you there was an infamous “lab” involved, I’m sure that peaks your interest just a little bit. It really is worth watching; the writer has done a spectacular job with character development and an intense plot. Once you start, you have to get all the way to the end to find out just what happens.
However, I should warn you again, the second season ends with a lot of unanswered questions and, alas, there is no third season.
4. "The Killing"
Perhaps, this is one you’ve heard of. Much to my excitement, after the third season ended, Netflix decided to pick up the show for a fourth — which would turn out to be the final conclusion to the series. But hey, if it’s good enough for Netflix to “save it” then it must have some redeeming qualities; and it does, but I’m slightly biased.
The story follows Detectives Linden and Holder as they embark on a two-season journey to solve the murder of Rosie Larsen, which unravels family secrets, political corruption, and deals with the inner workings of a family’s grief. Of course, Detective Linden and Detective Holder have a few problems of their own to deal with. This show is dark and gritty — there is obscene language and substance abuse — but it is enthralling. Again, this show has you wait two seasons to find out who killed Rosie Larsen, and just when you think it’s over an old case resurfaces. Trust me on this one; it’s worth the watch. I finished the whole final season in one day — it’s definitely possible.
Plus Mireille Enos and Joel Kinnaman are fantastic. Not only is their chemistry — as a crime-solving duo — amazing on screen, but they’re ability to play the characters (who are both dark and morbidly peculiar) perfectly is miraculous.
You will not regret watching any of these shows this summer. Each of them promises a gripping story from start to finish.
Also as a side note, if you like "Slasher," I’d recommend "Harper’s Island" as well. The only reason it wasn’t added in as a fifth option was because it is no longer offered on Netflix — but seriously, I had serious "Harper’s Island" flashbacks while watching "Slasher," so give it a go.
