If you’re drawn to dark and gripping narratives that delve into the depths of human nature and society’s underbelly, these Netflix series will leave you mesmerized. From psychological thrillers to intense dramas, each show explores complex themes, moral ambiguities, and characters grappling with their darkest impulses and circumstances. Here are 14 unbelievably dark TV series on Netflix that will keep you on the edge of your seat:
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999)
The dedicated detectives of New York City’s elite Special Victims Unit investigate sexually based crimes, navigating the harrowing realities faced by both victims and perpetrators alike. With a focus on justice and the complexities of interpersonal relationships, each episode explores the psychological toll of heinous crimes on both the investigators and the community.
House, M.D. (2004)
Dr. Gregory House, an acerbic and brilliant diagnostician, leads a team of doctors at Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital. Known for his unconventional methods and disdain for social niceties, House tackles perplexing medical mysteries while battling his own physical pain and personal demons. The series delves into the complexities of medical ethics, human frailty, and the pursuit of truth in the face of life-and-death decisions.
Dexter (2006)
By day, Dexter Morgan is a blood spatter analyst for Miami Metro Police. By night, he channels his dark urges as a vigilante serial killer, targeting murderers who escape justice through legal loopholes. Dexter grapples with his identity as a sociopath and strives to maintain a facade of normalcy in his personal life, even as his carefully constructed world threatens to unravel around him.
Breaking Bad (2008)
High school chemistry teacher Walter White turns to manufacturing and selling methamphetamine after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. Partnering with former student Jesse Pinkman, Walter descends into a criminal underworld to secure his family’s financial future. The series explores themes of morality, ambition, and the consequences of choices as Walter’s transformation into drug kingpin “Heisenberg” blurs the lines between good and evil.
House of Cards (2013)
Following the ruthless political machinations of Frank and Claire Underwood, the series explores the dark underbelly of American politics as they manipulate, betray, and scheme their way to power. After Frank’s demise, Claire assumes the presidency, facing formidable challenges and navigating treacherous alliances to solidify her legacy. The show delves into themes of power, corruption, and the lengths people will go to achieve their ambitions.
Six Feet Under (2001)
Running a funeral home forces the Fisher family to confront mortality daily, both in their professional lives and personal relationships. As they navigate grief, loss, and their own dysfunctional dynamics, each member grapples with existential questions while attempting to find meaning and connection in a world shaped by death.
The Alienist (2018)
In 1896 New York City, psychologist Laszlo Kreizler and Police Commissioner Theodore Roosevelt collaborate to apprehend a sadistic killer targeting marginalized boys. As they delve into the darkest corners of society, the team confronts systemic corruption, psychological trauma, and the blurred boundaries between sanity and madness.
Black Mirror (2011)
This anthology series presents thought-provoking narratives that explore the dark side of technology and its impact on modern society. Each standalone episode offers a dystopian or near-future scenario that examines humanity’s relationship with innovation, surveillance, social media, and artificial intelligence, often revealing unsettling truths about human nature and societal norms.
Ozark (2017)
Financial planner Marty Byrde relocates his family to the Ozarks after a money-laundering scheme goes awry, forcing them into a dangerous alliance with local criminals. As Marty navigates escalating threats and moral compromises, he struggles to protect his family while managing a burgeoning criminal empire in a rural landscape fraught with peril.
DAHMER (2022)
A chilling portrayal of Jeffrey Dahmer’s crimes, spanning years of evading capture while perpetrating heinous acts, told through a haunting lens. The series delves into the psychology of a notorious serial killer, exploring the societal factors and personal motivations that enabled his horrific actions to continue unchecked for so long.
Making a Murderer (2015)
This documentary series examines the case of Steven Avery, wrongfully convicted of sexual assault and attempted murder, only to be exonerated after 18 years in prison. Upon his release, Avery faces new charges related to a separate crime, leading to a legal battle that raises questions about the criminal justice system, corruption, and the pursuit of truth.
Bloodline (2015)
Dark family secrets threaten to unravel when the black sheep of a respected Florida Keys family returns home, dredging up buried traumas and igniting tensions among siblings. As the Rayburns confront their past choices and present consequences, loyalty is tested and alliances fracture in a gripping tale of betrayal, redemption, and the cost of keeping secrets.
Godless (2017)
In a town inhabited solely by women, a ruthless outlaw hunts down a former gang member who has found sanctuary in their midst. The series explores themes of vengeance, redemption, and the clash of masculinity and femininity in the Old West, culminating in a violent showdown that tests the limits of morality and survival.
Seven Seconds (2018)
The death of a 15-year-old African American boy in Jersey City sparks a tense investigation, uncovering deep-seated racial tensions, police corruption, and the fraught pursuit of justice. As the community grapples with systemic injustices and personal reckonings, alliances form and fracture amidst a morally complex narrative that challenges perceptions of right and wrong.
