Oh, what a brilliantly crafted show The Sinner is – packed with all the right ingredients required of a mystery series and in just the right amounts The Sinner is deliciously dark and irresistibly addictive.
The first two seasons of the crime anthology not only dealt with two separate captivating mysteries but also gave us a no-holds-barred perspective on psychological disorders, child murderers, cults and abusive childhoods. Depending on when you’re reading this there’s a season 3 of The Sinner out on Netflix as well and we just know it’s destined to be as glorious as it promises.
And maybe after you’re done binge-watching the show you can move onto our recommendations of shows like The Sinner to keep you riding high on the crime drama rollercoaster.
Here is the list of Best Web Series like the Sinner:
Mr Robot
Available on Amazon Prime
Mr Robot was the only show it was acceptable to talk about in the summer of 2015. The hype was tremendous and it’s not hard to understand why. A psychological thriller with hackers, vigilantes and Rami Malek as the star? The show was bound to be a hit even before it hit the screens but the audience was nowhere near prepared for the mind-melting experience that is Mr Robot.
Elliot Anderson is a socially inept, clinically depressed cybersecurity engineer by day and vigilante hacker by night. When Elliot is recruited by an ambiguous anarchist who goes by the name of Mr Robot to ruin all data of the largest conglomerate of the world, he finds himself trapped in a situation where the stakes are just too high.
For all those who have a bit of rebel in them, Mr Robot is sure to become your instant favourite. Spine-tingling suspense, what-the-heck plot twists, a mesmerizing soundtrack and the charming Rami Malek make Mr Robot a must-watch. And it’s got 5 whole seasons! Time to get your binge on.
Sharp Objects
Available on Amazon Prime
How this show is not more popular is beyond us. Yes, it did go on to win big in the Golden Globes, bagged an Emmy nomination and was the recipient of many other accolades. But even then it wasn’t enough praise to the masterpiece that is Sharp Objects. HBO has been more than consistent in churning out some of the best miniseries of our time but it really did take the cake with this one.
Troubled and talented crime reporter Camille Preaker (Amy Adams) returns to her dreaded hometown Wind Gap to investigate the deaths of two young girls. Her search for the culprit soon opens up the old wounds she had so desperately tried to stitch together. As she revisits the horrors of her childhood and comes face to face with the perpetrator, Camille is also forced to confront the demons she had long buried deep inside her.
Whatever you say about Sharp Objects is less – this clever adaptation of bestseller author Gillian Flynn’s (Gone Girl, Dark Places) novel by the same name enraptured the audience like no other. The story is gorgeously dark, creepy, bleak and often terrifying to watch and yet you cannot stop.
A stellar soundtrack, exemplary performances by the ensemble cast and the growing feeling of impending doom are some of the few things that make Sharp Objects so irresistible.
Broadchurch
Available on Netflix | Amazon Prime
Not exactly a miniseries per se but Broadchurch is probably as similar to The Sinner as it can be. Endearing characters, mind-boggling mysteries, crisp storyline and an eerie small town to tie it all together. Broadchurch will have you hooked from the very get-go.
After a young boy is found murdered in the quiet seaside town of Broadchurch investigators Ellie Miller and Alec Hardy are assigned the case to apprehend and bring the perpetrator to justice. As the case becomes a media sensation the townsfolk grow increasingly wary and suspicious of one another threatening to destroy the peace and solidarity of the town forever.
Broadchurch may have a very done-to-death premise with its small-town murder but that doesn’t mean it’s any less riveting. It keeps you on your toes for all 3 seasons with new themes and mysteries and manages to keep you engrossed to keep coming back to it– may be enough to even binge-watch it all in a week or two.
We, crime lovers, have a penchant for figuring out the bad guys and unriddling the mystery before the show discloses it but Broadchurch makes it a near-impossible task.
Ozark
Available on Netflix | Amazon Prime
Ozark is not your typical crime drama and that’s what makes it so much more interesting. Instead of dealing with murders and supernatural mysteries – Ozark deals with drug lords, money laundering and an innocent family caught in the crux of it all.
Family man Marty Byrde (Jason Bateman) moves to the Missouri Ozarks with his wife (Laura Linney) and two little kids to what may seem like a fresh start to a new life but is, in reality, a ploy to launder $500 million to a dangerous Mexican drug lord. While Marty initially believes this the only way to protect his family he quickly learns his family is now in more threat than ever.
In the era of Netflix, Amazon and Hulu when each show is more or less a copy of another, Ozark dared to different and the show’s loyal fan base will attest to that. Amazingly written character arcs with ample scope for development, intelligent and engrossing script, commendable acting from the top-tier cast and the perpetual tension makes Ozark a must-watch. Each episode seems to flow into the other, let it carry you along with it.
Eyewitness
Available on Netflix | Amazon Prime
Now here’s another hidden gem for you. Inspired by a Norwegian crime thriller, the American version of Eyewitness is many things at once – dreamy, spooky, eerie and suspenseful.
Lukas Hallenback is popular, talented and dating the hottest girl in school but underneath it all, he can’t seem to stop questioning his sexuality. When the perfect Phillip walks into his life, they begin a secret affair. Things take a sinister turn when the boys witness a murder and decide to keep mum about it.
But soon enough Lukas starts being hunted by the killer not only risking his coming out of the closet but also putting him in mortal danger.The perfect 10 episode show to binge-watch this weekend Eyewitness is bound to be your next best discovery. If you’re looking for a short, crisp watch then this is it.
True Detective
Available on Amazon Prime
Anthology? Check. Crime Drama? Check. Detectives with their own demons at work? Check. True Detective is every bit similar to The Sinner as it can be. Except that it is infinitely more convoluted and eerie.
In the first season, the scintillating HBO crime drama introduces as to two highly intelligent but deeply flawed detectives Rustin Cohle (Matthew McConaughey) and Martin Hart (Woody Harrelson) as they investigate and attempt to solve the case of a serial killer active for 2 decades.
The second season involves a bizarre murder that brings together California’s best minds and their interweaving stories as they rush to solve the crime which seems to get sinister with every new finding. The final season dabbles with three different timelines depicting the macabre killings of two young children and its investigation.
As it is true for every HBO series, True Detectives is a grand show. But True Detectives is nothing like your ordinary crime drama other than falling into the same genre. It deals with dark themes, interesting subplots, bleak surroundings and intelligent narratives that will have you glued to your set like no other. Feed your insatiable urge of mystery and reach an unprecedented mind-boggling dénouement with this show.
The Outsider
Available on Netflix | Amazon Prime
Another HBO production, another solid hit. What is it with HBO consistently churning out masterpieces that fail to appear on the audience’s radar and garner as many accolades as it deserves? If you are someone who loves exploring crime dramas that have a touch of horror in them, The Outsiders is not to be missed.
Inspired by Stephen King’s novel of the same name The Outsider follows the investigation of a young boy’s gruesome murder. As the search for the killer continues, the investigators find themselves face to face with an unknown evil entity that takes the case to a whole new level of danger.
Crime shows are all well and good but add to it a hint of supernatural and the combination makes any show irresistible. Stephen King is a master storyteller and The Outsiders is easily one of his best.
With oh-my-god- that-came-out-of-nowhere plot twists, Jason Bateman and Cynthia Erivo’s excellent performances and the spooky ambiguity of the plot make the show a must-watch this 2020.
Mindhunter
Available on Netflix
While we love us some crime dramas, have we ever stopped to wonder why the criminals do what they do? What motivates them to carry out such gruesome killings? Well, truth be told we all have but how could we ever know what was going through a criminal’s mind? Surely no show would be made from their point of view. Then Mindhunter happened.
It’s the 1970s and two FBI agents attempt to catch serial killers and dangerous criminals by studying and understanding how a goon’s mind works. As the detectives explore their subjects’ damaged psyches they often find themselves slipping into uncomfortable mental states themselves.
Now, the synopsis may be of interest to some while to others it may sound boring – however, Mindhunters is anything but. Produced by the magnificent David Fincher and Charlize Theron, Mindhunter was predestined for greatness but the show has reached and amazed far more audiences than it set out to. Fall down this rabbit hole of a show and explore the world of criminal psychology like never before.
Related: Shows Like MindHunter
Elite
Available on Netflix | Amazon Prime
This is a little different from the other shows on the list based on the fact that it’s primarily directed towards the teen audience. But we promise you, its juts as riveting. How can one not be a sucker for rich spoilt brats getting into all kinds of kinky and risky business after school, hosting and attending lavish parties with drugs, alcohol, and weed, and in a perpetual state of confusion regarding their love lives and add to that a cold-blooded murder and you’ve got the makings of an irresistible show.
Elite is a Spanish teen thriller drama that introduces us to the students of Las Encinas, an elite private school meant for the wealthy. When three working-class scholarship students enrol in the school, it leads to clashes, drama and eventually murder.Elite has a very unique way of storytelling. The mystery onscreen is palpable and so well maintained that you’re out of breath with tension and suspense by the time you reach the grand reveal.
The multiple characters are the star attraction of the show with their problems which may not be very teen-like but keeps you engrossed just the same. By the end of it all, you will find yourself desperately wishing for a life in the glitzy world of these stunning teens – murder included.
Tabula Rasa
Available on Netflix | Amazon Prime
Oh, this is a good one and a hidden gem at that. Even though it was released on the biggest and most popular streaming website – Netflix the Flemish show Tabula Rasa did not gain half the accolades it should have. But we promise you it’s worth a watch and it will have you hooked from the very get-go.
Tabula Rasa introduces as to a young amnesiac woman who goes by the name of Mie. Despite being locked up in a psychiatric facility Mie becomes the prime suspect in the disappearance of her friend Thomas Spectre.
Trapped in the hospital she begins reconstructing her memories to connect the dots – yet the more she remembers the more she suspects the people around her and the less she believes in her innocence.
If you’re a sucker for dark psychological thrillers, unprecedented plot twists and compelling pieces of mystery dramas – Tabula Rasa is tailor-made for you. This mind-bending thriller might just become your next favourite.
Conclusion
These are our top picks of web series like The Sinner and we promise you each of them will keep you on your toes. A special TV lover’s tip just for you: convince a friend to binge-watch the show with you. You will have too much to gush about and your friend would easily comply. We’re always here in case you want to gush away anyway.