10 Short, Suspenseful TV Shows Perfect for a Weekend Binge

There’s a reason why gripping TV shows have started to become one of the most produced series formats in recent years. With the continued growth of streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, there is a huge demand for exciting, fast-paced, action-packed content that can be consumed hours after work or during a weekend. This style of content lends itself to Intriguing characters, exciting episode endings, and high-stakes situations that keep the viewer pressing ‘next episode’.

Some of the best TV shows of all time follow this format, immersing audiences in their story with the jaded realism of a series of real-life disasters like Chernobyl or a captivating small-town mystery drama like Easttown mare. They provide a thrilling ride from start to finishand creators are now adapting episode length and structure to account for this new style of binge-viewing. The best shows make you forget about everything and provide a constant stream of entertainment that makes a weekend binge worth it.

10

Behind Her Eyes (2021)

Starring Eve Hewson, Tom Bateman and Simona Brown

Based on Sarah Pinborough’s 2017 novel of the same name Behind her eyes is a supernatural thriller that follows the story of Louise (Simona Brown), whose life is turned upside down when she begins an illicit affair with her new boss. and friendship with his wife. The show is a thriller in every sense of the word and keeps you searching for answers until the final moments. It’s a paranormal tale with horror elements that maintain an engaging narrative throughout the series.

With only six episodes in a season, it’s the perfect show to binge-watch for a few days or even a day. The chemistry between the three protagonists is incredibly engaging, and the psychological story grabs you and doesn’t let up. It’s a genuinely eerie combination of romance, twisted revelations, and paranormal phenomena, with several moments throughout the series that leave the viewer stunned into silence and questioning everything that just happened; making it one of the most replayable shows in recent memory.

9

Defending Jacob (2020)

Starring Chris Evans and Michelle Dockery

Defending Jacob is a crime drama miniseries and one of Apple TV’s most promoted shows that follows the story of Assistant District Attorney Andy Barber (Chris Evans), who, along with his wife (Michelle Dockery), must deal with the situation that their son 14 years old faces. son Jacob is accused of stabbing his classmate to death. The series unfolds at a perfect pace, with eight episodes that feel more like one long film than a segmented series.

Based on the 2012 novel of the same name by William Landay, Jaeden Martell plays the role of Jacob very convincingly, and his relationships with his father and mother unfold realistically. Evans portrays a respected family man who is conflicted between his duty to enforce the law and his own son, whom he begins to suspect may have actually done what he is accused of. It’s a complex, calculated narrative that is perfect to watch and leaves the perfect balance of intrigue leading into each new episode.

8

Silo (2023)

Starring Rebecca Ferguson and Rashida Jones

This dystopian sci-fi miniseries is set in the future where a community of people live in a huge underground silo made up of 144 different levels. The silo has 10,000 inhabitants who form their own society and live by a set of rules that everyone believes will protect them. With part of the group wanting to leave the silo, a practice strictly prohibited, believing that the ‘dead world’ outside is a lie, a hostile narrative is created and fueled by tension between those who want to maintain order and those who seek to escape. .

Another series based on novels, this time an adaptation of the Silo trilogy (Wool, Change and Dust) by author Hugh Howey. The 10-part series follows an engineer (Rebecca Ferguson) who continues to uncover more secrets and horrific revelations about the silo’s forbidden history. It’s an easy show to dive into, and the atmospheric tension and dystopian elements provide a brilliant backdrop for the cast to shine.

7

Unbelievable (2019)

Starring Toni Collette, Merritt Wever and Kaitlyn Dever

In one of the most courageous and realistic series released in recent years, Unbelievable tells the story of a young woman (Kaitlyn Dever) who ends up being accused of a crime for reporting that she was sexually assaulted. She comes under pressure from two male police officers who cast doubt on her version of events, and her life and mental health begin to fall apart. In a separate plot, two detectives, Grace (Toni Collette) and Karen (Merritt Wever), investigate a similar case, and the two help solve the crime and provide evidence that proves their claims.

Unbelievable is based on the 2015 article “An unbelievable rape story“written by T. Christian Miller and Ken Armstrong. It touches on many sensitive topics, including sexual assault, victim blaming, and corruption of the justice system, which shows many flaws in the reporting process and society in general. All three actresses The main characters were nominated for a Critics’ Choice and a Golden Globe for their performances, ending an incredible story that leaves viewers stunned.

6

Bodyguard (2018)

Starring Richard Madden and Keeley Hawes

Escort is a British thriller that revolves around Army veteran turned police sergeant David Budd (Richard Madden), assigned to be the private security and protection of controversial Home Secretary Julia Montague (Keeley Hawes). With palpable atmosphere throughout the six-part seriesPolitical tensions and personal issues create threats for both Budd and Montague, as challenges quickly escalate into explosive revelations and acts of violence.

Without a doubt, Madden produces an iconic showing in one of his standout roles. His steady, confident portrayal of a security officer pushed to the limit by a government conspiracy is incredibly captivating and elevates the entire series. The risks are always present as there is a constant threat to life and at the end of the series Budd is literally forced into a life or death situation wearing a suicide vest as he must prove his innocence whilst helping to save those close to him . It truly is a wild ride, packed with fast-paced action and compelling performances from the entire cast.

5

Blackbird (2022)

Starring Taron Egerton and Paul Walter Hauser

In the police drama miniseries Black Bird, The story follows that of Jimmy Keene (Taron Egerton), a charming drug and arms dealer who ends up serving 10 years in prison without parole. With his father’s health beginning to decline, the FBI offers him a lifeline to be released early if he can be transferred to a facility for the mentally ill and obtain a confession from serial rapist and murderer Larry Hall (Paul Walter Hauser). What follows is a game of cat and mouse with time running out, where Keene must befriend and trick Hall into confessing without realizing the ruse.

With just six episodes, Black Bird It’s the perfect series to binge-watchfeaturing two of the best performances of recent years from Egerton and Hauser. The two display electric chemistry throughout, with Egerton’s arrogant and charismatic style playing Hauser’s demented, introverted role, discussing crime, sexual adventures and life with a high-stakes narrative that is genuinely moving. The show is perfectly paced, with hardly a scene or line that doesn’t advance or elevate the story, and its real-life basis adds another layer of authenticity.

4

The Haunting of Hill House (2018)

Starring Michiel Huisman and Carla Gugino

American supernatural horror series The Haunting of Hill HouseLoosely based on Shirley Jackson’s 1959 novel of the same name, it focuses on five adult siblings and their experiences at Hill House as children and the effect on their daily lives. in the present day, told in parallel timelines. The series’ cast features Michiel Huisman, Elizabeth Reaser, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Kate Siegel and Victoria Pedretti as the five adults who are struggling to live their lives after the horrific experiences they’ve been through.

Described as one of the best horror shows of the decade, The Haunting of Hill House is a series with ten episodes that allows the complete development of the plot and the characters within. With plenty of hair-raising moments and genuinely terrifying sequences, it’s a compelling narrative full of paranormal twists. The film has a sense of dread and expertly combines scary elements with an in-depth exploration of family dynamics that makes it one of the best series to watch as soon as possible.

3

Easttown Mare (2021)

Starring Kate Winslet and Julianne Nicholson

Easttown mare follows Mare Sheehan (Kate Winslet), a troubled small-town detective who is investigating the recent murder of a teenage mother.. Sheehan’s own life offers as many obstacles as the case, with a divorce on the horizon, her son taking his own life, and a horrific custody battle over her grandson with her son’s ex-partner, who was a heroin addict.

Winslet delivers one of the best performances of her career in a cast that includes Jean Smart and Evan Peters. It offers a sensational mix of criminal mystery and personal drama that keeps audiences guessing and desperate to know more. Winslet’s portrayal of a detective barely hanging on as she struggles with her own demons and a previous unsolved case of a missing girl that left her doubting her abilities adds to the perfect seven-part miniseries that is a must-watch.

2

Sharp Objects (2018)

Starring Amy Adams and Patricia Clarkson

Sharp objects is a psychological thriller series that tells the story of Camille Preaker (Amy Adams), a troubled reporter who returns to work in her hometown, covering the brutal murder of two young girls. Upon arriving home, she finds herself under the thumb of her authoritarian and critical socialite mother, who forces Camille to explore her demons, with her having a history of alcoholism for many years and recently being discharged from a psychiatric hospital following problems related to a problem. infancy.

The series was universally praised for its eye-catching visuals, dark atmospheric tone, and masterful direction. Adams gives one of the best performances of the year as the haunted journalist who harbors many dark secrets. There are many chilling moments, and the story of the murders reflects the horrific and torrid issues that plague Camille. It’s an incredibly well-executed series, with a unique and interesting narrative with lots of sensational performances, a perfect recipe for an easy series to watch in one sitting.

1

Chernobyl (2019)

Starring Jared Harris and Stellan Skarsgård

A five-part historical drama miniseries Chernobylrecounts one of the most famous disasters in the modern worldthe Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant disaster in 1986 and the subsequent clean-up and aftermath of what followed. One of the most realistic portrayals of the disaster captures multiple stories surrounding the incident, showing events before, during, and after that truly encapsulate the enormity of the catastrophic failure.

With just five episodes, Chernobyl is the shortest series in the rankingbut that doesn’t mean it lacks in narrative or character development. The fact that it retells a harrowing account of real-life events makes it an absolutely gripping and, at times, disturbing watch. The performances from the entire cast are mesmerizing, providing a haunting atmosphere and a grim depiction of the entire disaster. It’s one of the best series ever created, receiving an incredible 19 nominations at the Primetime Emmy Awards, and one of the best binge-watching shows in history.