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Serial killers have been fascinating us since the beginning of time. From gruesome literary accounts of historic killers to binge-able series that make our skin crawl, there’s never any shortage of the sinister figures who claim multiple lives for whatever demented reason strikes their fancy. Netflix, fortunately, understands just how intense of an addiction these shows can be, and they’ve stocked their catalogue accordingly.
From chilling depictions of real killers on shows like the Netflix original Mindhunter to the fictional frights of cultish carnage on The Following, the platform truly has more than enough murderous material to last you for weeks to come. We took the liberty of rounding up some of our favorite serial killer-driven series available to stream. So what are you waiting for? You’ve got some criminally good content to consume.
'Mindhunter'
If you’re ready to dive into a new David Fincher-driven frenzy, prepare yourself for Mindhunter, a true crime series so chilling it was renewed for a second season before it even hit the platform. Set in 1979, Mindhunter follows FBI Special Agents Holden Ford and Bill Tench (Jonathan Groff and Holt McCallany), a duo who interview imprisoned serial killers to get inside the minds of active murderers and solve cases currently ongoing.
'Broadchurch'
David Tennant and Olivia Coleman star as detectives assigned to find who murdered a young boy in a small English town on this harrowing crime drama, and as with all series of this kind, things are not as they seem. The ensuing media frenzy and multiple possible suspects ensure that you’ll hit next when each episode ends – every moment of Broadchurch is a thought-provoking, moving triumph that’s difficult not to consume all at once.
'Happy Valley'
The series follows Catherine, a stern police sergeant who leads a team of officers in a rural West Yorkshire valley. She soon finds herself involved in something much darker and closer to home than she ever anticipated, and must reckon with her own past as horrific events unfold around her.
'Luther'
Looking for a riveting crime drama that also stars an incredibly hunky leading man? Look no further than Luther, a series that stars Idris Elba as a brilliant detective with some dark secrets. His inability to suppress his emotions often pushes him to use unorthodox methods to solve crimes and seek justice – a fault that may very well come back to haunt him later.
'The Fall'
Starring Gillian Anderson, Jamie Dornan, and a slew of other incredible stars, this psychological thriller follows a detective and a serial killer as they both hunt their respective prey. Well-written, chillingly executed, and unlike most series of the same genre, this unique show gives viewers an intimate look at the kind of monster that inspires nightmares.
'Dexter'
Michael C. Hall stars as the eponymous Dexter in this critically-acclaimed Showtime series. During the day, Dexter is a polite, seemingly easy-going blood-splatter analyst working for the Miami police. By night, however, Dexter lives a different life – one that sees him don the identity of a serial killer who takes out other active murderers.
'The Following'
Starring Kevin Bacon, James Purefoy, Shawn Ashmore, and more, this Kevin Williamson-created series is NOT for the faint of heart. The Following sees a brilliant, charming serial killer (Purefoy) attract a group of individuals who begin to participate in cult-like behavior, executing his every command – including murders. With a twisted relationship between detective and killer becoming increasingly more complicated, this fascinating thriller unravels in ways bound to shock even the most casual viewer.
