Are you ready to dive into the most gripping psychological thrillers of 2023? With true crime and psychological thrillers dominating our streaming platforms, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of options. Netflix’s latest anthology series, Monster: The Ed Gein Story, starring Charlie Hunnam, marks the perfect time to explore the most compelling titles available for binge-watching. Here are 19 standout psychological thrillers that are currently streaming, each offering a unique blend of suspense, mystery, and emotional depth. From chilling true stories to masterful character-driven narratives, these series will keep you hooked until the very end.
Des (2020)
Stream: ITVX, Disney Plus
David Tennant stars as Scottish serial killer Dennis Nilsen in this gripping three-part miniseries. Known as “The Kindly Killer” for his seemingly polite demeanor, Nilsen’s crimes remain unsolved, even after confessing. This series blends real-life drama with Tennant’s nuanced performance, offering a haunting look at the quiet menace behind one of history’s most enigmatic killers.
Black Bird (2022)
Stream: Apple TV
Taron Egerton plays James “Jimmy” Keene, a convicted drug dealer who is offered a chance at freedom by a suspect serial killer, Larry Hall. Paul Walter Hauser delivers a chilling performance as Hall, a soft-spoken man initially dismissed as harmless. This series is a deeply unsettling exploration of guilt, deception, and the blurred lines between justice and morality.
Mindhunter (2017)
Stream: Netflix
Jonathan Groff and Holt McCallany star as FBI agents Holden Ford and Bill Tench, pioneers of criminal profiling in the 1970s. Based on real events, the show combines meticulous period detail with psychological insight, showcasing the personal toll of their work. While the series was canceled after two seasons, its legacy as a landmark in true crime storytelling remains undeniable.
Sharp Objects (2018)
Stream: BBC
Amy Adams portrays journalist Camille Preaker, who returns to her hometown to investigate the murder of two young girls. The series unfolds as a slow-burning mystery, exploring trauma, memory, and the eerie Southern Gothic atmosphere of the South. Its focus on psychological unraveling makes it a standout in the genre.
The Serpent (2021)
Stream: Netflix
This eight-part series recounts the true story of Charles Sobhraj, a French conman who targeted Western travelers in 1970s Bangkok. Tahar Rahim and Jenna Coleman star as Sobhraj and his partner, using deception and charisma to evade justice across international borders. The show’s layered narrative and international scope make it a gripping choice for fans of true crime.
The Chestnut Man (2021)
Stream: Netflix
A Nordic noir masterpiece, this Danish series begins with a brutal murder on a farm in Copenhagen. As detectives uncover a twisted connection to a missing child case, the show builds tension with its slow-burning plot and sharp character development. Its high rating and renewed season promise a compelling continuation.
You (2018)
Stream: Netflix
Penn Badgley stars as Joe Goldberg, a charming yet obsessive man driven to extreme lengths for love. Narrated by Joe’s eerie inner monologue, the series blends sharp writing with addictive twists, offering a psychological thriller that keeps viewers guessing until the end.
The Long Shadow (2023)
Stream: ITVX
This dramatisation of the Yorkshire Ripper’s five-year manhunt focuses on the victims and their families rather than the killer himself. Mark Stobbart and Toby Jones star as the infamous killer and police officers, delivering a haunting portrait of a dark chapter in British history.
Marcella (2016)
Stream: ITVX, Netflix
Former detective Marcella Backland returns to the force to solve a series of chilling murders. Struggling with blackouts and emotional instability, she grapples with the mind of a serial killer while unraveling her own psyche. The series’ complex, twist-laden narrative makes it a must-watch for fans of psychological suspense.
The Confession Killer (2019)
Stream: Netflix
This chilling docuseries explores the bizarre case of Henry Lee Lucas, a drifter who confessed to hundreds of murders in the 1980s. The series questions the legitimacy of his confessions, revealing flaws in the justice system. It offers an insightful take on serial killer documentaries, blending archival footage with interviews.
Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer (2021)
Stream: Netflix
This four-part true crime docuseries follows Richard Ramirez’s reign of terror in Los Angeles. Through survivor testimonies and archival footage, the series exposes the community’s fight to reclaim safety amid the shadows of a brutal predator. It balances emotional intensity with the reality of law enforcement efforts.
Luther (2010)
Stream: BBC iPlayer
Idris Elba stars as DCI John Luther, a brilliant but haunted detective whose obsession with killers often pushes him to the edge of morality. Ruth Wilson co-stars as Alice Morgan, whose twisted relationship with Luther blurs the line between ally and adversary. The series’ film sequel, Luther: The Fallen Sun, is also available for streaming.
Crime Scene: The Times Square Killer (2021)
Stream: Netflix
The second installment in the Crime Scene series delves into Richard Cottingham’s 1980s terror of New York City. The show explores both the horrifying crimes he committed and the challenges law enforcement faced in bringing him to justice.
Wire in the Blood (2002)
Stream: ITVX
Set in a fictional West Yorkshire town, this crime drama follows Dr. Tony Hill as he aids police in hunting twisted serial killers. His unconventional methods clash with law enforcement peers, deepening his obsession with justice. The series, first aired in 2002, has six seasons available for streaming.
The Alienist (2018)
Stream: Netflix
Dakota Fanning and Luke Evans star as investigators in a Victorian-era psychological drama. The series follows a team of experts pursuing a brutal serial killer targeting vulnerable boys. Set in 1896 New York, it explores the intersection of clinical psychology and criminal profiling, though it ended after two seasons.
The Ripper (2020)
Stream: Netflix
This documentary revisits Peter Sutcliffe’s crimes through interviews, archival footage, and firsthand accounts. It exposes the harrowing impacts of his crimes and the shortcomings of the police investigation. A nonfiction alternative, it offers a sobering look at the infamous serial killer and his lasting effects.
Slasher (2016)
Stream: Netflix
A fictional horror anthology series, Slasher features a different masked serial killer each season. While leaning on classic slasher tropes, it delivers suspenseful twists and a polished horror aesthetic. Only the first three seasons are available on Netflix, with the rest on Shudder.
The Sinner (2017)
Stream: Netflix
Each episode of The Sinner features a different crime, introducing new characters linked to haunted Detective Harry Ambrose. The series focuses on the “why” behind serial killers rather than the who, offering a character-driven take on the crime genre. The show’s fourth season is expected to continue its suspenseful journey.
