If you haven’t already heard about it or started watching it, Netflix released Mindhunter on October 13th. This new crime drama puts an original spin on contemporary police procedurals. In examining the beginnings of the FBI’s Behavioral Sciences Unit in the 1970s, Mindhunter invites viewers in to discover how the term ‘serial killer’ was developed and how the FBI fine-tuned its methods over the years. This show is the perfect combination of crime and intense psychological drama and here are seven reasons you should watch it:

1. It's different to regular police procedurals

Agents Bill Tench and Holden Ford don’t have the same warm relationship commonly portrayed in other shows where partnered cops act like brothers. Their differences in opinion and approach to the job as a result of their age difference result in challenging interactions where both agents must stand up and defend their points. Ultimately, they will learn from each other. Mindhunter also doesn’t follow a prescribed routine and keeps you waiting for the next interaction or revelation. Moreover, rather than base the show around fictitious crimes and criminals, Mindhunter focuses its attention on what we can learn from the insights of convicted serial killers.

2. It is based on truth

The show is both based on a book written by former agents and aims to present the facts behind the crimes of notorious serial killers. Based on the book of the same name, Mindhunter delivers the raw reality of committing horrific crimes and living with the aftermath. Unlike the mainstay, established police procedurals, the presentation of factual information makes the crimes more graphic, and keeps you emotionally invested.

3. It makes you think

The conversations agents Ford and Tench have with the convicted felons are connected to the murders they are asked to solve in real-time. Thus, you’re forced to pay attention and draw subtle connections between what is revealed from the serial killers about the nature of murder and the psychology of the killer on the loose.

4. It reveals true human nature

Beyond what is said as it connects to the agents' cases, the revelations of the serial killers are applicable to human nature in general. Moreover, the conversations agents Ford and Tench engage in with the prisoners resonate in their personal lives too.

5. There's no action, just interaction

If you haven’t caught on, this show is different to the established shows available today. Therefore, don’t expect action but expect intense interactions. This is a welcome change because of the over-saturated crime action present in today’s media landscape. Without action, you’re also able to better focus on the discussions between the agents themselves and their discussions with the serial killers.

6. It's the prequel to today's shows

Shows like Criminal Minds, NCIS, CSI, etc. delve into how current federal agents catch serial killers in highly romanticized and fantasized ways. Mindhunter delves into a killer’s psychology on a deeper level by examining the motives of notorious serial killers. Moreover, these mainstream shows over-emphasize the action-packed scenes over the psychological motives driving the killers. Watching this show and understanding the evolution of law enforcement in the 1970s is an effective way to better understand other psychological shows and movies.

7. There's more to come

With a second season already slated to be created, I’m excited to see where this show goes and how much deeper it delves into the psychological motives of serial killers.