Horror fans are a great audience as they support the genre in all formats, whether it’s film, books, games or TV shows. As far as the latter goes, there has been a resurgence in the popularity of the anthology series, and Them is one such show. Season 2, subtitled The Scare, played with the format a little, bringing to mind some other anthological horror TV shows like Them that are also well worth a look if you’re finished with Prime Video‘s offering.
The Haunting of Hill House (2018)
The Haunting of Hill House | Image via Netflix
It’s hard not to talk about modern anthological horror without mentioning the work of Mike Flanagan, the showrunner behind some of the most terrifying and nuanced horror shows ever made.
Based very loosely on the classic novel of the same name, this was a surprise hit for Netflix, who would work with the creator on many other projects too. The Haunting of Hill House skips from the present to the past as it explores the relationships between horribly flawed family members and the chilling events that happened at their haunted home.
Peppered with ghostly easter eggs, and using layered characterization and crackling dialogue, the show would elevate itself to the level of storytelling that is usually more associated with crime drama, making this a must-watch on the list.
The Terror (2018)
The Terror | Image via Flix
The Terror is a historical period horror series that uses some real events in the backbone of the narrative, which just like Them changes the timeline of the show from season to season. The second run of episodes switches from icy haunted wastelands to America in WWII, using the Pacific Invasion as the backdrop for the show. The premise revolves around Japanese folklore, while the third season sees the action switch to a psychiatric hospital and one man’s battle with demonic forces.
Black Mirror (2011)
Black Mirror | Image via Netflix
Modern anthology shows that look at the real world we live in and reflect it back at us don’t come much better than Charlie Brooker’s Black Mirror.
Originally the show would air on UK TV on Channel 4, before achieving worldwide recognition when Netflix would step in and take control of the property. Admittedly the show would often vary in quality, with many saying that the lower-budget early episodes were more convincing than slicker newer episodes, but throughout its staggered run there have been some truly shocking, thrilling, and terrifying stories.
American Horror Story (2011)
American Horror Story | Image via FX
Oddly the success of American Horror Story as the quintessential example of anthological horror also seemed to be its downfall, as it fell into a trap of its own making, possibly trying too hard to be cutting-edge and quirky, but forgetting to tell decent stories at the same time.
As the show’s presence ascended, it would attract many A-list celebrities to take part, but some fans would complain that they forgot to keep it scary and credible. However, there are still some scares to be found in the early seasons before it descends into camp and cliche.
Lovecraft Country (2020)
Lovecraft Country | Image via HBO
Based on the novel of the same name by Matt Ruff, the title alone will have the hairs on the back of the necks of horror fans everywhere standing up. For decades, horror fans have been fascinated by the lore of controversial writer HP Lovecraft, and there have been various attempts to bring his work to the screen over the years, with varying degrees of success.
Lovecraft Country would take a different approach, following Atticus Freeman as he joins up with his friend Letitia and his Uncle George, on a road trip across 1950s Jim Crow America in search of his missing father.
Do you have any other suggestions for shows like Them? Jot them down in the comments below.
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