They’re the officers who take chances with unknown suspects, chasing them down and asking tough questions.

With Prime Video’s On Call, those beat cops will get their just reward.

Today, Prime Video released the official trailer and key art for On Call, a gripping new half-hour drama series from Wolf Entertainment and Universal Television.

Co-created by Tim Walsh and Elliot Wolf, On Call is Wolf Entertainment’s first scripted streaming series and will premiere with all eight episodes on January 9, 2025, exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.
 
On Call is an adrenalized and visceral police drama that follows a rookie and veteran officer duo as they go on patrol in Long Beach, California.

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The innovative series incorporates a mixture of bodycam, dash camera, and cellphone footage to create a cinema verité effect.

It explores the morality of protecting and serving a community.
 
The series stars Troian Bellisario (Pretty Little Liars) as Officer Traci Harmon, a seasoned twelve-year veteran and training officer with a strong moral compass that has defined her approach to policing, even if that puts her at odds with new law enforcement policies.

Brandon Larracuente (The Good Doctor) stars as Alex Diaz, an ambitious rookie who struggles to maintain his optimistic outlook as he realizes the challenges he’ll face in today’s climate. 

We’ve seen all eight episodes, and its storytelling is fresh and propulsive.

You’ll be reminded of many other shows, including On Patrol: Live, The Rookie, and Southland, but there is little room for fluff here, and On Call emerges as something entirely unexpected.

Take a look at the official trailer now:

The cast also includes the following heavy hitters:

The additional cast includes Eriq La Salle (ER, Logan) as Sergeant Lasman, who also serves as an executive producer on the series and directed multiple episodes.

Lori Loughlin (Fuller House) as Lieutenant Bishop.

Rich Ting as Sergeant Koyama (Tulsa King). 

Dick Wolf (Law & Order, Chicago, FBI-branded series), Tim Walsh (Chicago P.D., Hightown, Night Stalker), Elliot Wolf (Dark Woods, Hunted), Eriq LaSalle (former EP/Director Chicago P.D.), and Peter Jankowski are executive producers.

The series is produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studios Group and Amazon MGM Studios, in association with Wolf Entertainment.

What do you think? Take it from me; set aside the day to soak this one in. It’s worth it!

The post Watch the Official Trailer for Prime Video’s On Call, a Propulsive and Gritty Look at Cops on the Beat appeared first on TV Fanatic.

But we’re used to watching him portray unassuming good guys like Jim Halpert or heroic badasses like Jack Ryan.

Now, it seems that we might be on the verge of seeing 2024’s Sexiest Man Alive in a very different light.

According to a new report from The Hollywood Reporter, Krasinski has signed on to join The Americans and Perry Mason star Matthew Rhys in a new serial killer drama for Prime Video.

Both actors will also serve as executive producers on Silent River, which does not yet have a release date.

The details of their roles are unclear at the moment, but we know that the Krasinski and Rhys “will play two men whose lives are more connected than they realize.”

“We are thrilled to continue our work with John Krasinski, Allyson Seeger, and Sunday Night on this gripping series, which delves into the mysteries and secrets of small-town America,“ Vernon Sanders, head of television at Amazon MGM said in a press release.

“With John and Matthew Rhys attached to star in this wonderful story from Aaron Rabin, our global customers will be on the edge of their seats throughout this thought-provoking, psychological thriller.”

Both stars have been on a role lately, with Rhys recently earning acclaim for his performance as George Carlin in Saturday Night.

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And in addition to receiving People magazine’s sexiest honor, Krasinski has been absolutely crushing it behind the camera lately.

He recently directed the children’s flick IF, and the Quiet Place franchise that he conceived in 2018 shows no signs of slowing down.

In the past, Krasinski has been accused of playing it a bit safe with his acting choices.

So hopefully he’ll indulge his darker side with this one and drop the nice-guy persona for a bit.

Although we wouldn’t mind if he did one quick glance at the camera, a la Jim Halpert — just for old times’ sake.

Over to you, TV fanatics! Has this project piqued your interest?

Hit the comments section below to share your thoughts!

The post John Krasinski, Matthew Rhys Join Cast of Silent River: Will the Sexiest Man Alive Play a Serial Killer? appeared first on TV Fanatic.

It featured the complicated love triangle between manipulative step-siblings Kathryn Merteull and Sebastian Valmont when they wager if Sebastian will have sex with the virginal Annette Hargrove.

Hollywood has tried repeatedly to recreate the success of the original film. However, its sequels have failed, and a television adaptation has never been completed until now.

The original film debuted over 25 years ago, and on November 21, Prime Video will release a new and modernized adaptation.

While not every film should be rebooted, this was a fun one. They expanded the characters’ roles and personalities, added family drama, and updated the story.

The new version stars Sarah Catherine Hook as Caroline Merteuil, Zac Burgess as Lucien Belmont, and Savannah Lee Smith as Annie Grover.

Sean Patrick Thomas returns, but this time as Professor Hank Chadwick. Sara Silva plays CeCe Carroway, and Brooke Lena Johnson stars as Beatrice Worth. John Harlan Kim and Kobe Clarke round out the cast as Blaise Powell and Scott Russell.

Let’s discuss why Cruel Intentions is a popular franchise today, how the series became more modern and suggestive, and which characters improved in this version. We’ll also talk about popular Easter eggs from the film that were in the series.

Cruel Intentions Remains A Cult Classic

Teen dramas were popular in the late 1990s, but Cruel Intentions dove into new territory.

Instead of the usual romantic comedy, this teen drama used psychological manipulations and sex to feed an electrifying love triangle.

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Phillippe and Gellar paired fantastically as scheming step-siblings, possessing sizzling chemistry that bordered on wrong.

It’s why the tantalizing bet worked so well — if Sebastian slept with Annette (Witherspoon), he would get to sleep with Kathryn, too.

Of course, a pesky little problem occurred when he developed feelings for Annette.

While the original film remains one of my favorites, it only developed the three main characters. Most of the supporting cast were afterthoughts, so a television series allows those characters and their arcs to breathe more.

How Prime Video’s Cruel Intentions Combined Nostalgia and Modern Times

I was initially wary of having the new Cruel Intentions set at Manchester College versus Manchester Prep, but aging the characters allowed them certain liberties.

First, a certain amount of cruelty during sorority and fraternity rush week vibed with the original Cruel Intentions film.

In addition, aging the characters allowed the show to air more suggestive scenes than would have been permitted if the leads were still in high school.

The series opens with a hazing incident that puts all Greek chapters at risk. Caroline suggests that if she gets Annie Grover in her chapter, Delta Phi, they won’t close it.

Thus, a similar bet is made. She needs Lucien’s help, and a mastermind plan has been implemented.

Hook and Burgess’s chemistry sizzled so hot it was frightening at times. Their teasing looks and piercing jabs rivaled Phillippe and Gellar.

Savannah Lee Smith made Annie Grover her own. I had seen Smith on HBO’s Gossip Girl and was curious how she would portray a good girl versus a vixen.

Smith has the impeccable talent to do it all. She was able to play an innocent virgin who desperately wanted to fit in. She’ll go far in her career.

There’s one interesting anachronism to note: While there was more in the way of texting and illicit videos, everyone on this show still learned their gossip from old-fashioned newspapers. Beatrice loved spilling dirt on the Greeks in the top newspapers.

That fits in with the way certain teen dramas lately cover more current topics, whereas 90s teen dramas and movies are often timeless and can be re-watched often.

Prime Video’s Cruel Intentions featured more LGBTQ sex scenes, college protests, and family drama. It meshed with the new Gossip Girl. I liked it way better than it because it fleshed out the character’s motivations and relationships.

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It still maintained the original’s fun, entertaining vibe but added some more psychological cruelty to the mix.

How Certain Characters Were Improved in the TV Adaptation of Cruel Intentions

In the film version of Cruel Intentions, the supporting characters and genuine friendships didn’t get much attention. With eight episodes of about 40 minutes, both got fleshed out.

Blaise Powell was forgettable in the original, except for the fact that Joshua Jackson played him.

In this version, Blaise schemes, and you never quite know whose side he’s on. He’s entertaining, and I couldn’t wait to watch his next plan.

He wanted to win two things — a big corporate job and his closeted gay best friend Scott’s heart. Blaise Powell was the type who didn’t give up quickly, especially when he teamed up with Caroline or Beatrice. Those were scary times.

Beatrice Worth wasn’t in the film, but the series needed an antagonist, someone who hated the Greeks, and Brooke Lena Johnson shined in that role. She was intelligent, and she believed in her convictions.

Strong sisterhood also took center stage throughout the series. While Caroline sometimes treated CeCe like an annoying lapdog, similar to how Kathryn referred to Cecile, there was loyalty underneath.

In the film, Kathryn never meets Annette until the end, but Caroline and Annie meet early in the series and become close friends. Sometimes, it’s difficult to tell if Caroline cares about Annie or is merely playing games with Lucien.

The TV Adaptation of Cruel Intentions Added Family Drama

The film version mainly focused on the teens, so adding Claire Forlani as Claudia Merteuil, Caroline’s mom and Lucien’s stepmom, was a huge draw.

These family dynamics were almost incestuous.

Claudia seemed to despise her daughter but adored her stepson and thrived on pitting the two against one another. No wonder they loved to compete.

Claudia wanted in with the Grovers, so that was another reason Caroline and Lucien warmed up to Annie and her mom.

Then there was Congressman Russell. He had no idea his son was gay, a fact Blaise used to his advantage and buttered up his friend’s dad to try and get a job.

Blaise was like a part of the family and another son. These extra parts of the drama added depth to the characters’ storylines.

Which Easter Eggs Were Done the Best in the New Cruel Intentions

As mentioned previously, this reboot was done well. While it now took place at college, there were so many Easter eggs that it still felt like part of the original.

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It helped that Sean Patrick Thomas was part of the cast. In the original, he played Ronald, Cecile Caldwell’s (Selma Blair) tutor.

This time, CeCe Carroway (Sara Silva) was Hank Chadwick’s (Thomas) teaching assistant. He was still charming, and he and CeCe had a genuine connection.

It felt wrong to say that since the actors had been apart for over twenty years, they seemed genuine friends who enjoyed being together.

I don’t want to spoil much, but like the movie, someone interferes with their relationship and causes CeCe more heartbreak.

There were so many Easter eggs. Many were teased in the official promo, such as Lucien and Annie fooling around in the pool, similar to the epic pool scene that Sebastian and Annette shared.

The other most memorable Easter egg was the girl-on-girl kiss.

It’s teased in the promo and looks similar to the one between Kathryn (Gellar) and Cecile (Blair). You’ll have to watch to see who kisses in this version.

The other two iconic things in this adaptation are Kathryn’s cross necklace, which she frequently uses, and Lucien’s car, part of the bet again.

Overall, this adaptation worked better than other recent teen reboots. It blended nostalgia with suggestive sex scenes and fleshed out the characters.

It ended on a cliffhanger, so hopefully, we get another season. I’d love another season.

Over to you, TV Fanatics. What did you think of the latest adaptation of Cruel Intentions?

Do you think it’ll be a timeless teen drama?

Let us know in the comments below.

Cruel Intentions debuts on Prime Video on November 21, 2024.

The post Comparing the Sex, Scandal, and Romance of Prime Video’s Cruel Intentions to the Original Film appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Unsurprisingly, Aldis Hodge brings the titular character to life, making this iconic hero his own mere seconds into the season premiere.

He doesn’t release his hold on the audience, as he completely captivates them, and moves them with his portrayal until the credits roll in the season finale.

But again, it’s no surprise, as from Leverage and Underground to City on a Hill, he has not only shown off his range throughout his career but has proven to be a powerhouse performer. 

Cross was made for him; he distinguishes himself from previous iterations and his predecessors, Morgan Freeman and Tyler Perry, thus delivering the best adaptation. 

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Action thriller adaptations are all the rage, and the series joins the ranks of shows like Jack Ryan and Reacher. 

But unlike Reacher’s overhyped debut season, Cross is all hits and few misses.

The culmination of strong writing and a skillful cast results in the perfect binge-worthy series.

And one that carves out a space of its own amid similar ilk.

Cross took a risk by not adapting a specific story and instead opting for an original one.

In doing so, the series captures the full essence of the book series and these characters and truly breathes life into them while also telling a unique and all-its-own story.

One of the most irritating aspects of adaptations can often be how incessant debates over how faithful they were to the original source dilute the quality, conversation, and enjoyment.

Diverting from the source allows Cross to serve as a strong character study while also choosing its approach to taking on grisly cases.

With Cross, the series has diverging plot points as it somehow, although not always flawlessly, juggles a dark serial killer case on the front burner with a personal stalking case on the back.

The latter is allowed to simmer throughout the series, never fully disappearing but lying in wait so that when it rears its head in Episode 7, it’s a genuine shock (and delight) that the series didn’t abandon it.

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There are times when Cross’ ambitious attempt to balance both cases falters, only because there’s so much jampacked into every episode that it’s hard to keep up with the facts and pieces of both and determine which belongs where.

Some of the overlap gets a bit fuzzy and lost in the fast-paced, but it’s purely entertaining enough that you don’t mind much in those moments when you feel a bit lost.

It’s a tight eight episodes, and Cross doesn’t waste a second of its time and is all the better for it.

It also understands the art and allure of a psychological thriller.

The eight-episode cat-and-mouse game is scintillating—intellectually thrilling in a way that harkens back to the late, great Mindhunter while also action-oriented enough to still liven things up.

Cross’s approach to action-themed moments feels far more grounded and less hokey than one expects from a series of this caliber, and it’s all the better.

More “feels” than fists; Cross allows the characters to simply be complex, resonant characters viewers can connect with amid investigating a sadistic case that makes Criminal Minds cases look like child’s play.

Cross routinely shines in its ability to deliver character-centric and plot-driven storytelling. This feat seems to be near impossible these days, particularly for anything found on a streamer.

Both cerebral and evocative, Cross is a treasure trove of contradictions for its presumed genre that somehow and some way come together perfectly.

This results in a series I happily binged through with rapt attention, thrilled that the momentum never slowed and the characters never felt one note.

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One of the standout components of this series may make some bristle, but if so, that is a pity you can unpack amongst yourselves.

Cross is unapologetically Black.

Whereas other iterations may have danced around Alex’s identity, Cross powers right on through it in a refreshingly authentic way that doesn’t alienate its audience.

Cross is for the culture by simply giving us insight into it, inviting viewers into the conversations and world of a Black man who happens to be one of D.C.’s finest cops without ever reducing Alex to a diversity tick on the list.

That already elevates Cross from its source material.

Cross is carefully cultured, and its infusion into the series is delightfully effortless. However, it also feels like the subtlest nod to Blaxploitation, right down to the wardrobe and needle drops.

D.C. itself serves as a minor character in the series.

“Chocolate City” is deeply embedded into the series’ fabric with shots of murals, affectation in speech, and mentions of that infamous Mumbo sauce that I vividly recall and instantly crave upon mention.

Alex is a child of D.C., someone the communities have come to respect, as his reputation seems to precede the series and further adds to his reception, as well as just how great of a cop he is.

But he’s still a Black cop, and the series is wise to address that.

Some may take issue with that, but it’s unavoidable and brings authenticity.

It adds to his conflict and that of most Black people in law enforcement, straddling two worlds and trying to navigate both with moral fiber and balance.

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The show quickly addresses this upon the death of reformed criminal turned activist Emir, whose death sparks the type of outrage that feels all too familiar.

When that happens, characters like Alex and trusty comrade and brother for life John are in the crosshairs as the community looks to them for real answers and accountability or just as those who can take the brunt of blame, frustration, and despair.

It’s not easy being a Black cop, as they seem like two totally conflicting planes of existence, and the series doesn’t shy away from that.

But it also has no interest in politicizing or pontificating about choosing a side, making a strong statement, or beating us over the head with any messaging or indictments.

It leaves things at the complexities and nuances of these talking points and observations that don’t overtake the story or characters simply because it’s the honest thing to do.

Cross handles so many of these little nuances well regarding nearly everything.

Hodge, in particular, gives a visceral performance as a brilliant but flawed profiler, a loving and devoted but struggling father, and a grieving widow who still has the capacity to love.

He hits every note asked of him in a script that, in less capable hands, could be tonally jarring at times, swinging from one point of focus to the next.

Offhand, the romance portion of the series underwhelms simply because the other areas of Cross are more compelling.

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However, even the romance has its point and importance, as we find Cross, a year after his wife died, still mourning her loss while engaging in something new and difficult with Elle.

Aside from the fact that positive displays of Black Love are a rarity, it’s refreshing to see a series approach how the heart can still hold love for two people, and Cross handles this so delicately as Elle’s presence grounds him in his private life as much as plays a pivotal role in his investigation.

The series perfectly balances Alex’s personal storylines with his work, showcasing how the job impacts his home life, especially as a stalker terrorizes his family.

But also, Cross’ personal life profoundly impacts his professional life as we’re following him in the aftermath of his wife’s death, and that leads to some troubling moments for him, as even the great Alex Cross has terrible days on the job subject to scrutiny and strong reactions.

Hodge handles this balancing act remarkably well, bringing the two points of his life together in a way that’s thrilling enough or simply human enough that you never once consider that one element of this series can exist without the other.

But as heartening and, at times, emotional as Alex’s home life and the bond between him and his grandmother, children, and girlfriend are—and unlike other series, the family arc is of actual importance and compelling on its own and doesn’t detract from anything else—it’s the dynamic with John Sampson that is at the very heart of this series.

With renewed appreciation, I’m eternally grateful for this burgeoning era of showcasing powerful, poignant brotherhood onscreen.

At the center of Cross is the dynamic between Alex and John; nearly everything seems to hang upon this bond that both Hodge and Mustafa do such justice that I eagerly await revisiting it.

With these two, Cross explores masculinity without toxicity, unflinchingly depicting two men, particularly men of color, wholly unapologetic in loving on one another and holding each other to account.

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They’re the embodiment of the “You good?” movement that destigmatizes mental health and encourages MOC to have open and honest conversations with their fellow men about feelings, fear, stress, and all of life’s challenges as a human.

It’s so genuinely refreshing to witness that it’s no wonder it carries so much of the series. Even as conflict brews between them, it’s beautifully and, at times, hilariously handled.

Their multilayered bond easily becomes one of the strongest dynamics currently on the air.

They are two brothers who can grapple and roughhouse with each other as well as talk openly about their feelings, namely Alex’s pain and how he’s struggling because he isn’t addressing his grief.

That brotherhood in one season casually destigmatizes mental health and therapy, as well as how men show love and affection for one another.

Frankly, I could devote another 1000 words to the importance of that depiction onscreen now more than ever, but I won’t.

I would say that Isaiah Mustafa is the unsung hero of Cross, but hell, I’m singing the hell out of his praises, and surely others will and have done the same.

Mustafa is simply incredible as John Sampson, serving as the perfect balance to Alex.

He is loyal beyond measure but also unafraid to hold a mirror up to his friend and constantly tell him about himself.

He’s strong, principled, and steady, and Mustafa has a way of taking up all the space in a room, not just because he’s massive and badass, although that’s a special treat in itself.

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A DMX needle drop in the finale involving him will live in my head rent-free and should unofficially become his anthem.

Sampson isn’t merely a sidekick in Alex’s story—he’s a multi-faceted character whom Cross allows to stand on his own.

And Mustafa takes that inch and runs it the full mile.

However, that’s the beauty of Cross as a whole.

Aldis Hodge is undeniably the star, and he certainly packs the star power in every second of the series.

But Cross never dulls the supporting cast’s light, as it fully understands that greatness requires more greatness around it.

While some characters feel underdeveloped or like fixtures (Chief Anderson is particularly one-note, and two particular twists in hindsight felt apparent because of how randomly shoehorned in the characters were), the vast majority of Cross’ supporting cast is top-tier.

It is given carte blanche to lean into their performances fully.

We see this most with some of the players in Cross’ deliciously twisty and obsessive serial killer case, which consumes the entire season.

Johnny Ray Gill has never met a role, big or small, that he hasn’t bodied, and his depiction of Bobby Trey effortlessly joins the list.

Gill’s a true thespian, the type of actor who knows how to bring the magic of stage and theater to the screen with a full-bodied performance and flair that holds your attention every moment he’s onscreen.

And he does that in Cross — committing in such a way that you almost feel bad for how enjoyable you find him despite how dastardly Bobby Trey is as an opportunistic man for hire and ruthless killer who is only ever in anything for himself.

He’s so perfectly cast that the primary case’s conclusion works well because of his performance and the sick delight one could maybe get from immortalizing his panache.

Gill isn’t alone in this; Ryan Eggold’s departure from New Amsterdam is so delectably twisted I’m campaigning for him to play more complex, morally bankrupt, or downright evil roles.

Let him loose!

Eggold gleefully attacks the role of Ramsey with aplomb.

He visibly has so much fun losing himself in an adversarial position that, through sheer will and charisma, he compels you to enjoy every second of his screen time.

And that requires us to settle in for some truly bizarre and twisted content.

Every moment Eggold and Hodge go toe-to-toe with one another is masterful.

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Eggold is just as fascinating to watch against Eloise Mumford, who Cross depicts as more survivor than victim, as Alex and John seemingly race against time and a convoluted agenda to find her in time.

Mumford does so much with a role that anywhere else would be a thankless one, as a spirited Shannon whose grit, strength, and fear are all palpable in equal measure.

One of her most notable moments wasn’t the more overt displays of fight and ferocity or tearful clips of raw fear, but a quiet moment in which she sang the words to a Millennial anthem, Nelly Furtado’s “I’m Like a Bird,” in a time representative of the intersection between hope and hopelessness.

Again, Cross’ strength is in a fantastic lead who embodies the essence of a staple character and brings him to life in a way that hasn’t been done before, and a supporting cast that elevates.

This series offers something for everyone.

It plays into some of the best and strongest elements of genres and certain tropes while also being completely unique.

The focus on mental health and grief rather than active approaches against it, for example, completely modernizes the genre and lets some much-needed light into stale spaces.

Cross and Sampson’s strong dynamic, emblematic of a new era of buddy-cop partnerships, buoys the series.

The strong performances and dynamics truly are the most gripping parts of this series, making it worth the watch. The strong writing, twists and turns, and thrills are simply an added bonus.

Over to you, TV Fanatics.

Will you be tuning into Cross?

And if so, let’s discuss the series in the comments below when you do!

The post Cross Review: Aldis Hodge & Cast Captivate in Gripping Adaptation that Redefines the Genre appeared first on TV Fanatic.

We love engrossing ourselves in riveting narratives about the darker side of human nature.

Experts have devised numerous reasons why it captivates audiences, from loving mysteries to feeling accomplished from a closed case to general intrigue to wanting to understand the human psyche to just being fascinated by evil.

Regardless of why we crave these stories, we are always looking for the next fix, so here are the most mesmerizing true crime docuseries of 2024.

Unsolved Mysteries – Volumes 4 and 5

While not every single episode of Netflix’s Unsolved Mysteries (a reboot of the original NBC Unsolved Mysteries series) is crime-based, the majority are, and the rest may leave you feeling more uneasy than any true crime story could.

Just watch The Mothman Revisited episode in Volume 4 of the show.

As for true crime, Volume 4 covers Jack the Ripper, a husband who found his wife dead in their basement, the discovery of an unidentified severed head in Econmy, PA, and the unsolved murder of a Trenton State College graduate student on the theatre’s stage.

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For Volume 5, the first episode is about two friends who are shot dead and found in a popular Cleveland park, but the creators decided to go with paranormal activity for the rest of the season, discussing a profile of a paranormal researcher, the phenomenon of mutilated cattle, and the Roswell UFO incident.

While these cases may not be solved, their mystique is varied and captivating. Of course, the “who did it” never coming to light is a common reason for the lack of resolution, but we also wonder why, how, and even who surrounds the victim.

Watch Unsolved Mysteries Online

I am a Killer- Season 5

The latest season of I Am a Killer focuses on the disturbing cases of convicted murderers while in prison.

What makes this show so fascinating is how it tells their stories. Its intimate style consists of interviews with the prisoners, the victim’s family or friends, and/or the criminal’s family or friends.

However, the latest season of the Netflix original felt a little different in the best way possible. It focuses more on the psychological factors behind these crimes and how the act of murder or being in jail has changed, or not changed, the prisoner.

You can tell who is a true sociopath, who is lying through their teeth or feels no remorse, who is self-centered, and who genuinely feels guilty and sorry for their victim’s family.

One gripping aspect is that you hear these accounts from the criminal’s perspective, and you start feeling or thinking one thing, but then hearing the victim’s family or friends’ interviews leaves you with a completely different attitude.

The latest season features the story of an inmate who claims to have turned his life around, but not everyone believes him, a young couple looking to run away, which results in the death of the boy’s grandmother and the killing of a store clerk by a 16-year-old.

It also shares the murder of a bar worker through an inmate’s rage, a man convicted of killing his grandmother, and the story of a prisoner who claims it was self-defense against a rival tribe, but eyewitnesses tell a different story.

Watch I Am a Killer Online

House of Horrors: Secrets of College Greek Life

Anyone familiar with the Greek life system understands the basics of how it operates.

But what happens when the dark secrets of these organizations are brought to light? A truly binge-worthy A&E true crime docuseries with an ending episode that needs to be talked about more.

It’s extremely interesting to see how something that, really, at the end of the day, is only “important” for four years of your life and then basically forgotten about can control, manipulate, and ruin the lives of young people who it claimed as “family.”

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Whether you want to hear it or not, yes, sororities and fraternities are cult-like. Maybe not all are upfront about it, but the concept behind their creation and how they operate are.

Each episode tells a story of how the secrecy, power, and control of fraternities and sororities can create a sinister atmosphere, leading to a skewed reality where everything from drug use to sexual assault to hazing deaths to the deep-rooted racism at the University of Alabama has thrived to an unbelievable capacity.

Watch House of Horrors: Secrets of Greek Life Online

Into the Fire: The Lost Daughter

This true crime docuseries is a two-part retelling of a driven mom who wants to solve the mysterious murder of her daughter she put up for adoption as a baby.

Part of the enchantment comes from the idea that this mother never knew or had contact with her daughter after giving her up for adoption.

In 2010 she received a letter asking for DNA from the police in hopes of trying to identify a woman’s body who was brutally murdered. While the body was not her daughter’s, this sparks a truly shocking search of her own as she then learns her daughter ran away from her adopted parents at 14 and was never seen again.

Hitting home to her own story as she also ran away, she knows the police won’t look for her daughter because they didn’t look for her.

How she goes about her investigation with the help of her husband and an online investigator with so much fierceness and motherly instinct, as well as the details revealed at each step, is touching and compelling in a way that is hard to put into words.

The spiritual connection between a mom and daughter who never met and the story’s outcome make this docuseries one of Netflix’s most alluring true crime retellings.

Watch Into the Fire The Lost Daughter Online

Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult

Similar to other careers that lean into the more creative side of the brain, becoming a professional dancer who can solely live on the beautiful art form alone is very hard to come by.

Here enters Robert Israel Shinn, cult leader and master manipulator. Shinn takes advantage of young TikTok dancers with massive potential and offers them a spot at his “agency,” making all their dreams come true.

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At first, everything seems fine, but as stranger things are asked of them, some of the dancers start to realize there’s something very off about the situation.

The story is told through personal accounts of dancers who ended up leaving the cult/agency, plus from the family of a girl who is clearly beyond brainwashed. Sadly, there seems to be no hope of bringing her back to reality.

The infatuation with this series comes from how TikTok seems to be the center of many social media crimes and how Shinn entices these dancers.

Along with how he keeps them and convinces them he is doing what is best for them despite the crazy practices he instills, abuse, and noticeable financial exploitation.

Like most cults, the followers are told their families are bad for them and are coaxed to cut them out of their lives because, you know, cult leaders don’t want their manipulated minds to realize what is going on, nor do they want the media to know.

The way the story is told through first-hand accounts and the family of prominent TikTok dancing sisters gives the docuseries an edge that makes it hard to stop watching.

Watch Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult Online

The Program: Cons, Cults and Kidnapping

The Program is a docuseries that needs to be watched to understand why it is one of 2024’s most mesmerizing series. It is unbelievable, and trying to describe it would almost be offensive to the victims of the featured disciplinary school.

When teens acted up, not that long ago, the answer was sending them to these “troubled teen disciplinary schools and camps,” which were not educational or helpful in any way.

Instead, it created a thriving industry that exploits and abuses children, and it has proven to be hard to take down, given the numerous documentaries surrounding it.

The Program’s emotional rollercoaster will have you crying, feeling sick, and wanting to hug the men and women who were forced to go through a heinous experience that has left many with understandable PTSD.

It is gripping and revealing in a tragic yet beautiful way and has a realness element beyond comparison.

Directed and narrated by a former Academy at Ivy Ridge student, she tells her and other’s stories and films them in such a way that makes you feel as if you are also trying to grapple with the trauma caused by the academy.

Watch The Program: Cons, Cults and Kidnapping Online

The Real Murders on Elm Street

Thanks to Discovery, ID (Investigation Discovery) is home to some of the finest true crime docuseries, and The Real Murders on Elm Street is no exception.

The Max streamable series tells the story of six murders in small suburban towns across America that all happened on different Elm Streets. These deaths tear communities apart and show that evil doesn’t discriminate based on quaintness.

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It starts with an episode titled Killer in the Walls, which takes place in Townsend, Massachusetts, and what unfolds is precisely what the title implies, and it is bone-chilling. It’s followed by a horrific murder in the Spokane area, which describing as overkill would feel like an understatement.

The show’s basis, actual murders on Elm Streets, is enticing, and the unimaginable narrative adds another level of eeriness and enchantment.

The series tackles “the Camp” compound led by Gerald Cruz in Salida, California, whose ideology combined white supremacy and voodoo, followed by the discovery of a body in a trash can during a popular Cincinnati street festival.

The last two stories take place in Minnesota, where a convoluted Thanksgiving missing persons case is full of twists, and in Greenville, Ohio, with the retelling of an actual Halloween murder on Elm Street.

Watch The Real Murders on Elm Street Online

Death in the Dorms

Death in the Dorms Season 2 tells the morbid stories of six college students who died while attending college. Unfortunately, there is something about campus murders that is unsettling but interesting.

Maybe it’s because they are the last place you would think a murder would or should happen, and the tragedy can be pictured by almost anyone who has persuaded a postsecondary education.

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The Hulu true crime docuseries hides no gory detail and includes the victim’s family, friends, and fellow students, revealing how a campus death affects the student body as a whole.

The way it is set up fosters an emotional connection for viewers, leaving an impactful swell of sentiment, making audiences invested.

The schools featured in Season 2 are Jackson State University, Louisiana State University, the University of Miami, Temple University, Binghamton University, and the College of Charleston.

Watch Death in the Dorms Online

American Nightmare

American Nightmare is a true crime docuseries that tells the story of Denise Huskins and her boyfriend, Aaron Quinn, who were tortured and drugged by an intruder, resulting in the kidnapping of Huskins.

This was a very sensational case in 2015 because the details of what the couple underwent were hard to believe, but even more so because, due to some similarities, it became known as the Gone Girl case.

The mesmerizing aspects of this series start with what the two went through that horrific night, then just the disturbingly horrible way the police mishandled this case, how they treated Huskins and Quinn, and how the real perpetrator eventually was caught.

Watch American Nightmare Online

Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV

What Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV reveals about Dan Schneider, Nickelodeon, and the company he kept is beyond horrible and shocking.

When I was younger, Drake & Josh, iCarly, The Amanda Bines Show, Zoey 101, and so many more Nickelodeon classics were my childhood. This docuseries is challenging to watch but so unbelievable that turning it off feels like an injustice to the victims.

Not only should the truth be public, but much more needs to be done about the abuse and trauma endured by the many child actors during this time.

It’s shocking that so much was allowed to happen to these children, and the fact that we’re talking about huge names of actors increases the intrigue.

More importantly, it heightens the shock value that not only did this happen but that so many people stood by and let it happen.

Watch Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV Online

American Murder: Laci Peterson

The Laci Peterson murder investigation has absorbed the public for over 20 years now. Anything with that much draw is bound to make a mesmerizing docuseries.

To this day, Scott Peterson, Laci’s husband, insists he is innocent. Although this is not the only docuseries covering the matter, as Face to Face with Scott Peterson was released in August 2024, its interviews with people close to the couple, including Scott’s sister and Laci’s mother, make it something special.

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The enthralling aspects of this case and docuseries are just how convinced members of Scott’s family are of his questionable claimed innocence and how people will take one grain of doubt and hold on to that despite everything else presented.

Of course, we don’t want to think a family member is capable of something so horrible, and these perspectives, plus the detective’s impressive way of presenting the crucial pieces of the case, are truly fascinating.

Watch American Murder: Laci Peterson Online

This is the Zodiac Speaking

Netflix’s This is the Zodiac Speaking gives probably the most notorious serial killer a fresh take, which is not an easy feat considering crime enthusiasts or not; the majority of people have heard of the zodiac killer.

The docuseries is gripping because it features interviews with the Seawater family, who had the suspected man behind the encrypted messages and codes, Arthur Leigh Allen, as a teacher while he was actively killing.

The now grownups perspective is unique, captivating, and bone-chilling.

It’s hard to look away when people are talking about their relationship with someone who they trusted and have fond memories of, who it turns out is strongly suspected to be a serial killer. It’s an infatuating context to give viewers.

There is also a powerful interview with a San Francisco Chronicle cartoonist, who was one of the first people to start suspecting Allen as the Zodiac killer, who also discusses the times when law enforcement almost got Allen, making it fascinating as well.

Watch This is the Zodiac Speaking Online

Deadly Influence: The Social Media Murders

Influencers appear to have it all, but the Discovery+ ID docuseries Deadly Influence: The Social Media Murders reveals how looks can be deceiving.

There is a dark side to being an influence and an even darker side to the digital communities and social media landscapes where influences get their fame.

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The pace and manner in which these shockingly true crime stories are told are alluring and impressive. Plus, the toxic culture that these communities have fostered and the disturbing situations these influencers found themselves in are unthinkable.

From an outsider’s perspective, we are all curious about what it is like to be an influencer. In retrospect, the concept itself is still relatively new, and the idea that someone can make that much money and gain that much fame from doing what an influencer does is honestly hard to grasp.

So, any true crime docuseries revealing the downside of an influencer’s seemingly perfect life will surely garner intrigue, and the grim revelations are heartbreaking.

Watch Deadly Influence: The Social Media Murders Online

Worst Roommate Ever

The Netflix true crime docuseries Worst Roommate Ever has one of the year’s most significant shock values. The stories it highlights are thrilling, ravishing, and effective.

The lengths people will go to, the manipulation, the pure savagery, are mind-blowing. This series can only be described as wild and jaw-dropping.

It is well made and hypnotic because it could be anyone in that situation. It could be you, me, or the average Joe walking down the street. You never know who someone is until you live with them, and that factor alone is hauntingly magnetic.

Watch Worst Roommate Ever Online

Yes, 2024 revealed some disturbingly mesmerizing true crime docuseries.

We hope this list helps you find your next watch.

Let us know in the comments what your favorite 2024 true crime docuseries is.

Here’s to creating new nightmares together!

The post 2024’s Most Mesmerizing True Crime Docuseries appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Made-for-TV movies were “event television” before that term even existed.

These films took on bold stories, pulled in top-tier talent, and covered issues from nuclear war to domestic violence — sometimes sparking national conversations that kept people talking for weeks.

But as TV evolved, the made-for-TV movie lost its place in the lineup, edged out by reality TV, serialized dramas, and eventually, streaming.

Here’s a look back at the heyday of made-for-TV movies, why they faded, and how they left their mark on today’s TV landscape.

The Golden Age of Made-for-TV Movies

From the 1970s through the ’90s, made-for-TV movies dominated the airwaves.

Networks brought big stories to small screens, delivering gripping dramas that tackled hot-button issues and opened up conversations usually left untouched.

Take The Day After, which aired in 1983, for example. This gut-wrenching look at nuclear war pulled in over 100 million viewers, making it the most-watched TV movie in history.

This movie hit so hard that it sparked a national debate about nuclear policy.

Then there was The Burning Bed, starring Farrah Fawcett, in 1984.

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This movie exposed the harsh realities of domestic violence right in American living rooms and got families talking about a topic usually left unspoken.

These weren’t just movies; they were the kind of TV that brought families together to sit down, watch — and maybe even tackle tough issues together around the dinner table.

And it wasn’t all hard-hitting drama. TV movies spanned every genre.

Horror films like 1973’s Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark told chilling tales of couples plagued by demonic houseguests, while emotional sports dramas like 1971’s Brian’s Song captured the heartbreak of friendship and loss

Brian’s Song, following the bond and challenges between Chicago Bears players Gale Sayers and Brian Piccolo, brought fans to tears and has become a legendary tearjerker.

Being a Chicagoan and a Bears fan, this story hit especially close to home, even though I only watched it years later.

And then there was V: The Final Battle in 1984, a sci-fi thriller that delivered chills to rival anything in theaters at the time.

These movies didn’t just offer great storytelling — they brought it home for free.

There was no need to shell out for movie tickets and popcorn; you could sit back and watch a high-quality story unfold right in your living room.

Today, though, streaming services and high rental fees have made watching at home more costly, especially for new releases, which are often priced higher than a theater ticket (with popcorn included!).

Cutting the cord doesn’t exactly mean cheap, right?

Back then, though, TV movies were accessible to everyone, making them a staple of family entertainment.

Big Issues and Big Stars

What made these movies stand out? They weren’t afraid to take on real issues.

Hollywood might have been busy with action heroes and blockbusters, but made-for-TV movies tackled topics viewers could relate to — or sometimes feared.

In Sybil, released in 1976, Sally Field delivered a haunting portrayal of a woman with dissociative identity disorder, a performance that transformed the way mental health was depicted on screen.

If you haven’t seen this movie, add it to your list — it’s unforgettable and earned Field a well-deserved Emmy.

TV movies also pulled in some serious talent. The format allowed established actors to take on challenging roles without worrying about box-office sales.

Sally Field, Farrah Fawcett, Hal Holbrook — these stars added weight to stories that resonated deeply with viewers.

The 1972 film That Certain Summer, starring Holbrook and Martin Sheen, tackled homosexuality — a topic that was practically unheard of at the time.

Released in 1970, My Sweet Charlie addressed racial tensions in a way that brought difficult discussions into American homes.

These films dared to address issues still relevant today, even if modern audiences might not realize just how groundbreaking they were for the time.

The Evolution of Miniseries and Beyond

As made-for-TV movies gained popularity, networks realized some stories needed even more room to breathe.

Enter the miniseries: multi-part TV events that let viewers immerse themselves in epic storytelling without the commitment of a full series.

Shows like The Thorn Birds (1983) and Stephen King’s It (1990) captivated viewers over multiple nights, bringing the feel of a full-blown saga into your home.

Watching The Thorn Birds with my grandmother is a memory I’ll never forget. She was a devout Catholic, but even she couldn’t pull herself away from the story of a priest and his forbidden love.

Then there was It, tapping into a collective fear only Stephen King can pull off, and Tim Curry’s Pennywise made sure no one looked at clowns the same way again.

For those who wanted something a little quirkier, campy classics like The Langoliers (1995) found their audience despite — or maybe because of — their weirdness.

And let’s not forget Roots, the groundbreaking 1977 series that redefined what television could accomplish.

Its portrayal of generational trauma and resilience left an indelible mark on audiences and sparked a national conversation on history and identity.

If you haven’t seen it, Roots is a must-watch for its impact alone — a true cultural milestone that changed the landscape of TV forever.

Miniseries like these proved that TV could handle big, complex narratives just as well as movies.

But by the late ’90s and early 2000s, things were changing.

Shows like Twin Peaks and The X-Files brought in serialized storytelling, pulling viewers in with mysteries and long-running plot twists.

Suddenly, the standalone TV movie couldn’t compete with the depth and engagement these shows offered.

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And then came the reality TV boom — or the “horror,” depending on how you look at it.

Shows like Survivor and The Bachelor brought drama and suspense without the production costs of scripted movies.

Networks quickly realized reality shows were cheaper and just as addictive as the made-for-TV movies that used to dominate.

Bit by bit, TV movies lost their spot, edged out by reality TV’s high drama and low production costs.

A Lasting Legacy in Cable and Streaming

As traditional networks turned away from TV movies, cable channels like HBO, Lifetime, and Hallmark stepped in.

HBO was one of the first to dive into the made-for-TV format with gritty, no-holds-barred storytelling.

Hallmark became the go-to for feel-good holiday movies, creating snow-kissed, love-filled escapes perfect for cozy nights inside.

Lifetime, meanwhile, leaned into thrillers and dramas that nodded to classic TV movies, complete with twists, betrayals, and just the right amount of melodrama.

These channels proved that while mainstream networks were moving on, there was still a loyal audience for the format.

Then, streaming services changed the game all over again.

Platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime started producing original films that felt like modern twists on classic TV movies.

Bird Box and To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before pulled in millions of viewers and proved that standalone, accessible stories still pack a punch.

Streaming revived the spirit of the TV movie but with bigger budgets and fewer limitations.

Thanks to streaming, we’re seeing a revival of the made-for-TV movie in a fresh form.

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Shows like Black Mirror experiment with feature-length episodes that could easily be called modern TV movies.

And as streaming originals keep coming, we’re getting a steady stream of films perfect for at-home viewing — now with all the polish of a Hollywood release.

The golden age of made-for-TV movies may be over, but their legacy is undeniable.

They broke ground on sensitive issues, set the stage for long-form storytelling, and proved that powerful stories didn’t need a theater.

Today’s streaming originals, niche cable channels, and feature-length episodes owe a serious debt to the made-for-TV movie.

These weren’t just fillers in the TV schedule; they were a unique chapter in TV history — one that, for many of us, feels as fresh today as when they first aired.

The good news is that many of these older movies have made their way to streaming in one way or another. Amazon has a surprisingly good number of them, even if you can’t tell where they came from.

And YouTube, the largest platform for “TV” viewing in the world, has users who refuse to give up the ghost on this history. You can search for made-for-TV movies to see for yourself.

Were you around for the glory days of made-for-TV movies? Should the broadcast networks get back into that business? Let us know your thoughts below.

The post Big Stories, Small Screens: The Rise and Fall of Made-for-TV Movies appeared first on TV Fanatic.

The golden age, when every network had at least three soaps, is long gone. When NBC moved Days of Our Lives to Peacock in 2022, that left only three on broadcast TV.

But as bad as it looks, it’s nowhere near over for our favorite genre, and it never will be.

Soap Operas Are The Building Blocks of Drama

People like to make fun of soaps, but the truth is that they aren’t the low-quality dramas they are accused of being.

Most of the time, anyway.

Some storylines are real clunkers (yes, I’m talking about every ridiculous supernatural storyline on DAYS!), and soap operas sometimes engage in the same tired tropes over and over, like bringing dead people back to life or ridiculous, contrived love triangles.

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Still, without soap operas, there would be no nighttime dramas.

When I was a teenager and a high school teacher said that primetime dramas were “really soaps, but we pretend that they’re not,” I was enough of a TV snob to think she was completely off-base, but now I get what she was saying.

Soap operas are built on raw human emotion: jealousy, anger, love, hate.

Primetime dramas might have characters deal with these emotions in a more realistic, less visceral way (sometimes), but they’re also about people feeling deep emotion and doing extraordinary things because of it.

Also, half the time I can predict what’s going to happen next on a primetime drama because I’ve seen it on a soap opera.

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Medical dramas use the same tropes about last-minute recoveries and heartbreaking diagnoses, and anything romantic is easy to predict if you’ve watched a soap opera or two regularly.

That’s why I don’t think there would be the other shows we love without soap operas. They give us the basics of storytelling that all shows use.

Soap Operas Fulfill Our Deepest Fantasies

I’ve given a lot of thought over the years as to why we love soap operas so much.

I’ve watched Days of Our Lives on and off since I was eight years old and came back to it for good in 2013.

There are several reasons soap operas are attractive — I was sucked back into DAYS when JJ Deveraux came to town and was the closest thing to a character who felt the way I did as a teenager — but I think the most powerful one is that we can live vicariously through these characters.

This is especially true of American soaps, where most of the characters look like supermodels, and some work in that industry without being exploited.

Many soaps also feature rich, powerful people who are portrayed as being just like us, except they can pour themselves a drink from their home bar at 3 pm in the afternoon and can basically do whatever they want.

Seriously, though, even if the lifestyle of the rich and idle doesn’t appeal to you, who among us hasn’t wished we could go off on our worst enemy without repercussions?

Even more importantly, who among us hasn’t wanted an impossible-seeming love relationship to work out?

Through soap operas, we can engage in a little harmless wish fulfillment.

We can cheer on Sami Brady or other soap divas when they slap their worst rival in the face in the middle of the town square… and then pray for whomever we think is their true love to forgive them for it.

Soap Operas Have Become More Important Because Family Dramas Are Dying

Most soap operas are about family in one way or another. People meet, fall in love with improbable partners, overcome family disapproval, and have children of their own.

The most popular and common soap trope involves teenagers fighting with their parents.

Soapland is full of overprotective moms and dads, teens who resent a parent’s interference in their lives and fights with kids who won’t accept their parent’s new partner now that their biological mother or father is dead.

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That’s not an accident, nor is it a coincidence that many soap stories are about family members being there for each other no matter what or standing up together to attack someone who is messing with a beloved relative.

Television audiences are starved for this type of content. We love stories about families like ours, even if those families are doing things we would never do or are in completely crazy and unrealistic situations.

Sadly, family dramas are nearly dead elsewhere in the TV landscape.

The closest thing we had to one is Blue Bloods, which is being canceled for absolutely no good reason, and people are heartbroken because that means no more scenes of a family having dinner together.

Soap operas fill that gap.

Days of Our Lives long ago started a Christmas tradition that many fans have continued in their own lives: the hanging of ornaments on the tree that have each family member’s name on them.

That’s an example of the kind of family stuff that soap operas have been known for since the genre first began.

Scenes like those Christmas scenes not only remind us of our own families but make us feel like the people we are watching are part of our extended family.

That need for family connection with fictional characters is underrated. It’s one of the big reasons soap operas will never die out.

There are so many lonely people out there who are able to feel loved for an hour a day when they turn on their favorite soap and “visit” with their fictional best friends.

Soap Operas Are Especially Important Right Now Because They Give People Hope

The most important soap trope is the one where good always wins out in the end.

Some soap opera plots are like thriller miniseries, with people being kidnapped by someone who is obsessed with them or by super-powerful bad guys who don’t want to do anything but cause pain.

I still remember the original Orpheus story on DAYS, which I saw when I was about eight. In it, Orpheus tried to get revenge for his wife’s death by kidnapping Marlena and forcing her to play mother to his twins.

It was brilliant, and I’m sad that no Orpheus story since has been close to its quality.

But in that story — and in all others on soaps — evil NEVER wins in the end.

The villains rarely go to jail, instead escaping town until the next time they’re ready to wreak havoc. But they are soundly defeated each and every time, with family members working together to stand up to them and get their loved ones back.

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That might seem like an overly optimistic message if you’re someone who the world has beaten down or who is dealing with the aftereffects of trauma, but it’s also an important one nowadays.

There is so much chaos, hatred, and division in the United States right now, and people are scared.

They need stories that reassure them that evil is impotent and that the good guys always win in the end. They need hope, and soap operas give it to them in a way no other type of TV show does.

Over to you, soap opera fanatics.

Why do YOU love soaps?

Hit the comments and let us know.

The post Why Soap Operas Are The Genre That Will NEVER Die appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Today, Prime Video unveiled first-look images from On Call, a thrilling new half-hour drama series from Wolf Entertainment and Universal Television.

Co-created by Tim Walsh and Elliot Wolf, On Call is Wolf Entertainment’s first scripted streaming series and will premiere with all eight episodes on January 9, 2025, exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. 

On Call is an adrenalized and visceral police drama that follows a rookie and veteran officer duo as they go on patrol in Long Beach, California.

The innovative series incorporates a mixture of bodycam, dashcam, and cellphone footage to create a cinema verité effect. It explores the morality of protecting and serving a community. 

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The series stars Troian Bellisario (Pretty Little Liars) as hard-charging but protective veteran officer Traci Harmon, who struggles to find her place in the department while training the next generation of officers.

Brandon Larracuente (The Good Doctor) stars as Alex Diaz, an ambitious rookie who grapples with maintaining his optimistic outlook as he realizes the challenges he’ll face in today’s climate. 

The additional cast includes Eriq La Salle (ER, Logan) as Sergeant Lasman, who also serves as an executive producer on the series and directed multiple episodes; Lori Loughlin (When Calls the Heart) as Lieutenant Bishop; and Rich Ting as Sergeant Koyama (Tulsa King). 

The most shocking thing about this news (other than seeing Loughlin front and center in the casting notice) is that it’s taken this long for the Wolf Universe to take an original run at scripted drama on streaming.

The entire universe of Law & Order, One Chicago, and the FBI franchise have been keeping various streamers alive for years, proving their might.

We’ve only just scratched the surface of procedural dramas on streaming.

Before On Call, Max announced the medical drama The Pitt, from John Wells and starring Noah Wyle.

Since streamers have been making oodles of cash off of these long-running shows, we fully expect their ilk to rise dramatically.

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The only thing that may hold them back from similar success is the timing. People love the idea of following a group of people weekly for 20+ weeks at a time.

That’s how you build a following — by allowing your audience to slowly grow so attached to characters that they’ll go to the ends of the internet to see more of them.

Whether a shorter production, shorter episode time, and long time between seasons achieves the same level of success remains to be seen.

This critic does not believe it’s possible, but this is one argument I’m willing to lose.
Dick Wolf (Law & Order, Chicago, FBI-branded series), Tim Walsh (Chicago P.D., Hightown, Night Stalker), Elliot Wolf (Dark Woods, Hunted), Eriq LaSalle (former EP/Director Chicago P.D.), and Peter Jankowski are executive producers.

The series is produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studios Group and Amazon MGM Studios in association with Wolf Entertainment.

Are you ready for Dick Wolf to take over streaming? Do you think a shorter show with a short run can build the kind of audience you get on a broadcast service?

Shoot us a comment below with your thoughts!

The post Dick Wolf’s First Scripted Streaming Series — On Call — Stars Troian Bellisario and Lori Loughlin appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Deadline reported today that an adaptation of Stephen King’s 1974 novel Carrie will soon be headed to the small screen.

The eight-episode limited series will be helmed by longtime King acolyte Mike Flanagan.

King’s literary debut is half a century old, and it’s been adapted multiple times already.

The most famous version, of course, is the 1976 Brian DePalma film starring Sissy Spacek, Piper Laurie, and John Travolta.

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An ill-conceived sequel hit theaters in 1999, followed by two remakes (2002 and 2013) that also failed to make much of a splash.

But if anyone can break the Carries curse, it’s Flanagan.

For one thing, Flanagan’s recent Netflix projects have demonstrated that he might be the modern master of the limited series.

On top of that, he’s no stranger to adapting King’s work.

Flanagan previously directed Gerald’s Game and Doctor Sleep, and his adaptation of the King short story The Life of Chuck is currently drawing raves on the festival circuit.

But the most important qualifier might be the fact that Flanagan is a master of the loose literary adaptation.

Let’s face it: Most horror aficionados are already at least passingly familiar with the basic plot of Carrie.

And at a scant 200 pages, the book really wouldn’t lend itself well to a slavishly loyal eight-hour retelling.

That means Flanagan is free to do what he does best — reexamine the book’s central themes through a lens of his own creation.

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His version of Shirley Jackson’s Haunting of Hill House was only vaguely inspired by the classic 1959 novel.

And its follow-up, The Haunting of Bly Manor, took major liberties with its source material, Henry James’ The Turn of the Screw.

Anyone who’s familiar with King’s reaction to Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining knows that the maestro from Maine is not always a big fan of directors playing fast and loose with his work.

But King and Flanagan have enjoyed a close working relationship for several years, and we’re sure the director will once again earn the full-throated approval of his unofficial mentor.

Hey, if nothing else, this project is sure to outshine the unfortunate Salem’s Lot adaptation that landed with a resounding thud on Max this month.

What do you think, TV fanatics? Are you ready to watch Carrie reenter the spotlight, or is this project about as appealing as a bucket of pig’s blood?

Hit the comments section below to share your thoughts!

The post Stephen King, Mike Flanagan Team Up For Carrie Series at Amazon appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Well, it could be as simple as comparing the style of Stanley Kubrick to that of David Fincher. One is in love with emotional turmoil, and the other paints vivid images of realistic terror.

Psychological horror is not about catch and release — the formula of most horror thrillers. Most horror films you can think of fall into the cozy genres of suspense thriller (Silence of the Lambs), psychological thriller (Jacob’s Ladder), or slasher (The Strangers).

You’re outrunning Art the Clown, Michael Myers, or Freddy Krueger when you watch a thriller.When you watch a psychological thriller, you’re figuring out a mystery in real time with the protagonist.

You’re figuring out the horrible truth of your fate, like Grace in The Others, or uncovering a diabolical plot, like in Chris in Get Out. But when you’re watching psychological horror, you are held hostage by a directing/writing team that is taking your mind on a roller coaster to Hell.

Psychological horror is purposely not formulaic or about escaping a single monster.

Usually, the “monster” or the conflict of the film is escaping the madness that surrounds you, whether you’re being held hostage by a madman or if you feel yourself going mad. Psychological horror revels in influencing psychological states in the viewer.

Directors create feelings of high tension, paranoia, and confusion, leaving the viewer exhausted – but eager to finish the story. You’re eager to be released from the distressing atmosphere that has captivated your mind.

Psychological horror explores our emotional vulnerabilities and may even reveal buried parts of the human psyche that we work so hard to repress.

With that said, here are 15 psychological horror films to watch on streaming this month to better understand this fascinating and, unfortunately, rare genre.

15. John and the Hole (2021)

John and the Hole is a slow, cautious dip into the deep pool of psychological horror movies. It’s not too intense but slowly unravels a disturbed plot of epic family dysfunction. 

It’s ideal for beginners who aren’t interested in gore but in Hitchcockian thrills from a movie classic.

Bonus points for starring Michael C. Hall (Dexter), who gets to play the victim instead of the perpetrator for a change. 

Watch John and the Hole Online

14. The Birds (1963)

Speaking of Hitchcock, while Psycho was one of psychological horror’s first blockbusters, The Birds is even better on a second viewing. It’s not just man vs. crazy man conflict — it’s man vs. forces of nature. 

Hitchcock treats flocks of birds as a paranormal menace, perhaps reminding us how fragile we are as a species if you’re going just by numbers.

The fact that the mystery of why birds are attacking humans is never fully explained only makes it a prime example of psychological horror. 

Watch The Birds Online

13. Mother! (2017)

Darren Aronofsky may be the loudmouth “bro” of psychological horror. Requiem for a Dream bashes you over the head with assaulting images, like a demonic afterschool special about the dangers of drugs. 

Black Swan was also a trippy vision of beauty gone awry. But Mother! is his most ambitious and polarizing project to date.

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Darren gets biblical with a surreal and allegorical film about a couple living in a Victorian mansion who open their home to a stranger — and all the chaos that follows. 

I watched the film with a crowd of moviegoers expecting a suspense thriller. You can imagine their horror and frustration when the film gave them the exact opposite of a believable story. 

Watch Mother! Online

12. Blue Velvet (1986)

One can’t create a list of great psychological horror films without giving one shoutout to David Lynch, the impenetrable genius who hates explaining his films – and apparently hates finishing most of his films, for that matter. 

Mulholland Drive is an entire series recklessly crammed into a two-hour movie, while Eraserhead might as well be Lynch’s biopic. But he never surpassed Blue Velvet, deceptively his most linear film, which also makes no logical sense. 

Blue Velvet, like all of Lynch’s films, is a dream. It’s a surreality that evokes visceral emotion and perhaps repressed feelings in the viewer. Lynch has admitted that his films come from his own phobias, experiences, and feelings. 

Blue Velvet has no redemption or heroic plot line to latch onto. It simply assaults the viewer like a  Rorschach painting designed to prick your conscience. 

Watch Blue Velvet Online

11. Christine (2016)

Movies that do the unthinkable and attempt to empathize with a person slowly losing their sanity are hard to watch. Most mainstream movies follow a tragic villain who turns their wrath on society. 

Movies like Christine, which follows a tragic protagonist who is only violent towards herself, are unnerving. The film follows real-life news anchor Christine Chubbuck hours before her 1974 suicide on live television.

It feels like watching an accident you see coming but are powerless to prevent. It’s a new kind of arthouse psychological horror, which mixes elements of shockumentaries and tearjerkers with the usual descent into madness. 

The film was so revolutionary it inspired a much more successful trauma flicks to come…

Watch Christine Online

10. Joker (2019)

Someday we’ll forget the debacle of Joker: Folie à Deux, and remember that the original Todd Phillips’ film was a psychological horror masterpiece.

The iconic film delved into incel culture and zillennial counterculture, (safely explored through the lens of a 1981 DC alternate universe. 

Joaquin Phoenix explores the perspective of a domestic terrorist who, in his own mind, has every reason to snap and rebel against what he sees as a corrupt and heartless society. 

With so many Oscar-winning Joker performances, isn’t it a shame Cesar Romero and Jack Nicholson weren’t also recognized? 

Watch Joker Online

9. Audition (1999)

I avoided Audition for the longest time, as I tend to postpone slasher movies full of mindless gore. But Audition, while disturbing to watch, is a clever hybrid between psychological horror and adrenaline-pumping thriller. 

Director Takashi Miike’s horror film has some element of catch-and-release. It tells the story of a middle-aged widower who meets a “model” through a fake casting call audition who turns out to be a violent psychopath. 

It seems like one of those situations where the guy’s kind of asking for trouble, doesn’t it? Amazingly, the film was both called feminist and misogynistic upon its initial release because of the psychological and physical damage we’re forced to witness.

Like many Japanese horror films, Audition’s horror comes from an intuitive place, a parapraxis of our worst nightmares where we always pay dearly for our mistakes. 

Watch Audition Online

8. The Lighthouse (2019)

Seeing formula horror films like Oddity or Caveat might scare you off the idea of visiting an isolated island. Why, of course, terrible monsters and insane murderers might lurk there. 

But with a film like The Lighthouse, the horror comes from swallowing your fears and actually going on an insane adventure on an isolated island with a possibly mad sailor. 

Experience for yourself the backbreaking work of a lighthouse keeper, the autophobic atmosphere, the starvation, the hallucinations, and the agony of being in close quarters with someone you can’t trust. 

The film feels like a terrible hallucination thanks to the Academy-Award-nominated cinematography by Jarin Blaschke and veteran horror movie actors Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson, who take turns having Shakespearean meltdowns. 

Watch The Lighthouse Online

7. The House That Jack Built (2018)

Director Lars von Trier is one-half auteur, one-half internet troll, who seems to enjoy getting under your skin. Particularly if you’re American and believe cinema should be enjoyable. 

His films are simulated trauma, with Dogville being his most accessible and Anti-Christ being his most unhinged. But The House That Jack Built is Lars at his nihilistic worst. Perhaps it’s no coincidence he released this film in the same decade as our true crime podcast obsessions began. 

He unromanticizes America’s love affair with violence and antisocial behavior by exploring the mind of a serial killer who considers his crimes works of art. But rather than emphasizing gore or chase sequences, he fills the two-hour film with philosophical discussions and some dark comedy. 

It’s the type of film that’s even more disturbing than Terrifier (which has gone strangely mainstream lately) because it has no rules, no comfort zones, and no comfortable formula to stick to. 

Watch The House That Jack Built Online

6. Late Night with the Devil (2024)

Though Late Night with the Devil is set in the 1970s and staged as one of those “Lost Media” YouTube urban legends, its manic energy is distinctively 1990s.

Talk show host Jack Delroy, your basic Ed Sullivan or Jay Leno clone (played by creepy-looking David Dastmalchian), decides to toy with evil in a shameless ratings stunt for his show Night Owls.

He invites psychics, conjurers, and a cult survivor on his show, all the while Jack tells Carson-esque jokes, lightening the mood.

As the night proceeds from strange to downright horrifying, we see Jack slowly become unraveled by the chaos he has unleashed.

What’s most satisfying about this psychological horror parody is how they use the character Carmichael Haig, aka Carmichael the Conjurer, as a “paranormal foil.” Carmichael is a skeptic who pokes holes in all the supposedly paranormal events, reminding the audience that everything has an explanation.

The foil character allows the movie to increase and decrease tension throughout the two hours, keeping things unpredictable and with terror on a slow boil. Inevitably, Carmichael sees more than he bargained for, but by then, it’s too late.

Talk show host Jack Delroy has one more unexpected guest to entertain before the night ends — and it’s too “hot” for primetime.

Watch Late Night With the Devil Online

5. Possession (1981)

Possession is probably the worst horror movie to watch if you enjoy movies like The Exorcist, The Omen, The Conjuring, or other thrillers about demonic possession. 

It’s not about that. In fact, you may scratch your head, wondering exactly what it was about by the time the credits mercifully roll. On the surface, the film begins with a man who notices his wife is acting strangely right after asking for a divorce. 

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But Possession, directed by Andrzej Żuławski and starring a young Sam Neil, is a tour-de-force madhouse exploring themes of insanity and irrationality. This gonzo meditation on personal congruity makes director David O. Russell seem slow-paced in comparison. 

Watching this movie will make you feel insane or as if you’ve been locked in a trance for two hours and are just now waking up to a world that makes sense again. 

Watch Possession Online

4. V/H/S Series (2012-2024)

It may seem unfair to choose the V/H/S series — a mainstream horror film franchise — to single out among so many other B-flicks. 

But what I’ve always found fascinating about V/H/S is that it follows no real blueprint on how to make a monster movie. It’s an anthology series within a movie that doesn’t explore characters or even familiar plots. 

Its premise is intentionally abstract and usually inexplicable. Using the “found footage” style of filmmaking, the viewer is forced to watch atrocities and horrific vignettes that defy explanation. 

No narrator is needed, and no story is ever resolved beyond the big “snuff” finale you’re unfortunate enough to see.

Over the years, the series has explored a variety of psychological terror scenarios, from alien kidnappings to Greek Gods in the flesh to crazy cults performing supernatural feats. 

With V/H/S Beyond (2024), we get more mad shenanigans, continuing the series’ grotesque sense of humor, from skydiving mishaps with UFOs to giant birds attacking police officers. 

No one is safe here, and the more nonsensical the plot, the more we shriek. See this one on Shudder right away and binge-watch more found footage scares than you can handle.

Watch V/H/S Beyond Online

3. X, Pearl, and Maxxxine (2024)

Ti West’s multi-generational horror trilogy is a bizarre experiment, following actor Mia Goth playing multiple roles and, in some cases, the same character as different ages. It’s remarkable how easily each film leads into the next one, whether by flashback or jumping forward. 

However, the real terror is watching Mia Goth’s performance as an unhinged woman who is so desperate for love that she becomes a menace to everyone she encounters.

Her performance peaks in the second installment, “Pearl” (which is actually the first storyline in the trilogy), where she progresses from naive Texas farm girl to full-blown psychopath with hardly a change in tone. 

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Her performance as Pearl has transcended the slasher genre by presenting an unconventional and disarming villain. She’s not just mad in the sense that she could kill you. She took the time to make out with a scarecrow first because she’s utterly delusional, and her violent psychosis is just a symptom. 

It takes some effort to watch the trilogy since no service has all three movies. But it’s worth the investment to see one of the modern era’s best psychological horror movies. 

Watch X Online

2. Girly (1970)

Girly (sometimes known as Mumsy, Nanny, Sonny, and Girly) is a 1970 psychological horror and dark comedy that very few moviegoers have heard of — probably because the film is just plain nuts.

Based on a two-act play called “Happy Family,” Mumsy, Nanny, Sonny, and Girly tell the story of an insane family who lives in a secluded manor house in England. What better way to amuse themselves than by forcing visitors to play a violent role-playing game that inevitably ends in death?

This is one of the best examples of psychological horror in that the audience is held hostage along with the protagonist character, who can’t seem to talk his way out of danger. The family takes on the antagonist role and torments the protagonist slowly, getting inside his mind before finishing him off. 

The movie may well have started the genre of “dangerous families” terrorizing unsuspecting visitors. 

What’s even more strange, however, is the rumor that Girly (as it’s known in the United States) influenced Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining. There is a parallel axe-swinging scene that ends with the character hacking through the door panel and exposing his face to the victim. 

Stanley had over ten years to take inspiration from this disturbing film and create his own “Here’s Johnny!” interpretation. 

I’m glad you brought up Kubrick, by the way, because we do have to talk about Kubrick…

Watch Girly Online

1. The Shining (1980)

Before Stanley Kubrick began work on The Shining, he decided he wanted to make a Stanley Kubrick film that happened to be in the horror genre. After Barry Lyndon’s disappointment, he wanted to make a commercial movie that just happened to be artistic and avant-garde…

If you work through the layers, of course. 

He auditioned numerous horror books, most of which he hated, until finally settling on a Stephen King novel about spousal abuse and going insane in a haunted hotel. 

Of all the plausible conspiracy theories about The Shining that we’ve heard, here’s the most interesting one. 

Kubrick suckered a young Stephen King into lending him his idea so that, as he always did, Kubrick could paint over it with his own literary allusions, Freudian terrors, and historical context.

Kubrick also made sure he had full rights to change the source material and that he could hire a screenwriter to pervert the original story. 

Novelist Diane Johnson, who wasn’t excessively fond of King as a writer (“It’s not part of great literature…one has less scruples when destroying it: one is aware that a great work of art is not being destroyed”) rewrote the film to appease Kubrick’s violent minotaur sensibility. 

The result is a film that alludes to everything while confirming nothing. It’s a movie made to provoke discussion with purposely chosen symbology and yet with a stubbornly literal plotline. 

What can’t be denied is Kubrick’s love affair with haunted cinematography.

He was a metaphysical Spielberg, a technician behind the camera but one who also knew how to unnerve his audience with sight gags, strange sound fluctuations, and erratic storyboarding. 

The Shining wasn’t focused enough to be a true horror thriller, but it was an exercise in bringing an abstract feeling of dread to life. He wanted his audience to feel what it was like to see a ghost in real life or to have a premonition of something terrible happening and see it come true. 

Perhaps he understood that in psychological horror, the scariest part is what you don’t see and what is not explained. Our confusion adds to the feeling of terror because we’re not familiar with the threat – only that it’s no longer safe. 

So, he filled this labyrinthine world with hundreds of riddles, superstitions, and links to the past.

He never explained it because he wanted our paranoia about the film to grow over time. What was unsaid was the creepiest part — what you felt was more important than the psychoanalysis. 

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The opposite of psychological horror is relief — waking up from a bad dream. Kubrick’s films are about staying in a dream that never ends and seeing horrific things in the dark that may not even be there. 

Kubrick didn’t say much about the explanation of his films, but he did speak about The Shining’s themes and what he imagined psychological horror to be. 

“There’s something inherently wrong with the human personality. There’s an evil side to it. One of the things that horror stories can do is to show us the archetypes of the unconscious; we can see the dark side without having to confront it directly.”

Watch The Shining Online

What do you think? What are the best psychological horror films you’ve ever seen? 

The post 15 Great Psychological Horror Films on Streaming Right Now appeared first on TV Fanatic.