Ryan Murphy stunned audiences in October 2022 with two series — this article discusses 10 series like The Watcher you must watch.
Based on a real story, The Watcher is an unnerving thriller that landed on Netflix right in time for this year’s spooky season. The series centers on married couple Nora and Dean Brannock (Naomi Watts and Bobby Cannavale) as they receive increasingly more disturbing letters from an anonymous stalker, making them more and more paranoid about their new surroundings. It’s an unsettling seven-episode series that builds suspense in the recognizable way a show with Ryan Murphy’s signature on it should. Here are a few other titles you might enjoy after you finished watching this thrilling yet short mystery series.
10 series like The Watcher you must watch
A Friend of the Family (2022)
Also based on a true and harrowing story, A Friend of the Family chronicles the struggles of the Broberg family as a charismatic man gets close to them and kidnaps their daughter on multiple occasions. It’s a twisted tale of how one seemingly benign individual proves to be a monster lurking in the shadows.
You (2018 – )
Unlike in The Watcher, where the characters have no clue who’s out to get them, in this series, You, the stalker, is the lead of the story. Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley) is a charming bookworm who will stop at nothing to learn everything he needs to know about his current interest (He gets a new obsession every year). Stalking, stealing, and even murdering inconvenient people are all acceptable crimes in Joe’s eyes when it comes to finding and keeping his one true love. The first three seasons are available to watch on Netflix, with a fourth set to premiere early next year.
Sharp Objects (2018)
Based on a Gillian Flynn novel, this mini-series, Sharp Objects, tells the story of a reporter (Amy Adams) who has to return to her hometown to investigate the disappearance of two teenage girls. In the process, she is forced to face her own demons.
The Staircase (2022)
The Staircase is based on the real-life suspicious death of Kathleen Peterson (Toni Collette), who perished after seemingly falling off a staircase at the end of a night of drinking by the pool with her husband, Michael (played brilliantly by Colin Firth). This dramatic series explores Michaels’s life before the incident, in the aftermath of his wife’s death, and in the subsequent murder trial after being accused of her murder.
American Crime Story (2016 – )
Another Ryan Murphy offering, this anthological series explores various famous crimes from the history of the U.S. Each season focuses on different events ranging from O.J. Simpson’s trial to the Gianni Versace’s murder to the infamous Clinton–Lewinsky scandal.
The Thing About Pam (2022)
NBC’s The Thing About Pam stars Renée Zellweger as Pam Hupp, a woman who murdered her innocent neighbor and friend, Betsy Faria (Katy Mixon). The series makes an interesting choice to portray Huff as a somewhat comedic figure, even if what she did in the real world was truly horrific.
The Patient (2022)
Hulu’s The Patient premiered this year to critical acclaim due to an intriguing storyline and fantastic performances from both Steve Carell and Domhnall Gleeson. The 10-episode mini-series explores the complicated relationship between a psychiatrist and his serial killer patient. However, the doctor isn’t treating his new client out of his own free will.
The Outsider (2020)
The Outsider is a thrilling horror series based on a book by the king of horror himself, Stephen King. Set in small-town Georgia, the series tells the story of a little league coach who ends up accused of a horrific crime. Just like in The Watcher, this show offers a suspenseful trip into a community that’s full of secrets, where the characters don’t know who to trust.
American Horror Story (2011 – )
With over a decade on air, American Horror Story has become a television staple during October. This Ryan Murphy anthological horror series just premiered its 11th season. While there’s occasional overlap, each year, American Horror Story tells a different yet horrific narrative. The first two installments, Murder House and Asylum are generally considered to be the best of the bunch, but every season is worth watching at least once.
Candy (2022)
In this Hulu mini-series, Jessica Biel stars as the titular Candy Montgomery, a housewife accused of murdering her affair partner’s wife. The suspenseful series, Candy, is worth a watch for the fantastic late 70’s aesthetics alone.
Do you have any other recommendations for series like The Watcher? Let us know!
