Buzz
1. The Following
The Following - Season 1 follows Ryan Hardy, a former FBI agent who led a team to capture the notorious serial killer Joe Carroll. However, due to his sharp intellect, Joe Carroll managed to avoid the death penalty and continued his killing spree, plotting revenge against Ryan Hardy. As a result, Ryan is called back to the FBI to help track down the killer once again. The hunt for the relentless serial killer begins!
The show The Following aired on Fox TV. The first season, consisting of 15 episodes, premiered on January 21, 2013, and ended on April 29, 2013. The second season, announced on March 4, 2013, aired starting January 19, 2014, and ended in April 2014. The third season was confirmed on March 7, 2014, and premiered on March 2, 2015. However, Fox canceled the series after three seasons, with the final episode airing on May 18, 2015.
DETAILS:
Director: Kevin Williamson
Starring: Kevin Bacon, James Purefoy, Shawn Ashmore
Duration: 45 episodes
Release Year: 2013 - 2015
IMDB: 7.4
Tomatometer: 58% Audience: 67%
2. The Killing
The Killing revolves around the mysterious death of a young girl in Seattle and the ensuing investigation by the police to uncover the killer. The show unfolds across three distinct storylines surrounding the murder, focusing on the detectives, the victim's family, and the suspects. Local politicians are also discovered to be involved in the case. It becomes evident that the death was no accident, and everyone seems to have a secret. As the characters try to escape their past, the truth slowly unravels.
The Killing was critically acclaimed, receiving numerous award nominations such as the Critics' Choice Television Award, the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards, and the 64th Writers Guild of America Awards. It also won the 38th Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress in a TV Series for Michelle Forbes, and the 64th Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in a Drama Series.
DETAILS:
Director: Veena Sud
Cast: Mireille Enos, Joel Kinnaman, Billy Campbell
Duration: 44 episodes
Release Year: 2011 - 2014
IMDB: 8.2
Tomatometer: 68%
Audience: 87%
3. John Wick
After the tragic death of his beloved wife, John Wick, a retired hitman, receives a final gift from her — a precious dog that helps him find new meaning in life after her passing. However, his world is shattered when Iosef Tarasov, a reckless Russian mob prince, and his thugs visit Wick uninvited, stealing his prized 1969 Mustang and killing the dog.
Blinded by revenge, John embarks on a carefully orchestrated war against the cunning crime lord, Viggo Tarasov, and his entire family, all of whom are fully aware of John's deadly skills. Now, only blood can quench John's thirst for vengeance.
DETAILS:
Director: Chad Stahelski
Cast: Keanu Reeves, Michael Nyqvist, Alfie Allen
Duration: 1h 41m
Release Year: 2014
IMDB: 7.4
Tomatometer: 86%
Audience: 81%
4. The Equalizer
The Equalizer is a psychological crime thriller about a former black-ops operative and a young prostitute whose emotional and tragic stories unfold amidst intense, action-packed sequences. Based on the 1980s television series, The Equalizer follows a man who has retired to live a quiet life — the life he always dreamed of. But when he is called back into action, he must confront the Russian mafia.
This mission is not just about taking down the Russian mob; he must also rescue a young girl from their clutches. This girl, who has been pushed into a dark path, is played by the blonde actress Chloë Grace Moretz.
DETAILS:
Director: Antoine Fuqua
Cast: Denzel Washington, Marton Csokas, Chloë Grace Moretz
Duration: 2h 12m
Release Year: 2014
IMDB: 7.2
Tomatometer: 60%
Audience: 76%
5. The Bourne Ultimatum
The Bourne Ultimatum follows former CIA operative Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) as he tries to evade the Moscow police after a violent encounter with FSB agent Kirill (from The Bourne Supremacy). Six weeks later, journalist Simon Ross (Paddy Considine) of The Guardian meets with a source to discuss Bourne and the Treadstone operation. The CIA begins tracking Ross after he inadvertently reveals classified information about Operation Blackbriar during a phone call.
Bourne travels to Paris to inform Marie's brother (Daniel Brühl) of her death and vows to find her killer. In London, he meets Ross to investigate Treadstone, but when Bourne realizes the CIA is following Ross, he helps him escape. However, Ross disobeys Bourne's warnings and is killed by Blackbriar assassin Paz (Édgar Ramírez) under the orders of CIA Director Noah Vosen (David Strathairn) at Waterloo Station.
DETAILS:
Director: Paul Greengrass
Cast: Matt Damon, Edgar Ramírez, Joan Allen
Duration: 1h 55m
Release Year: 2007
IMDB: 8.0
Tomatometer: 92%
Audience: 91%
6. Collateral
Collateral tells the story of Max, a seasoned taxi driver who has been driving in Los Angeles for twelve years. One night, he picks up a mysterious passenger named Vincent, a professional hitman with a deadly agenda. Vincent forces Max to drive him around the city as he carries out a series of killings, targeting five individuals in one night. Among the victims are a lawyer, a jazz singer, and a notorious crime boss. Max finds himself trapped in a nightmarish situation as Vincent executes his hits with cold precision, all while Max is forced to comply.
Collateral was a box office success, topping the North American charts during its opening week. It was also listed as one of the top 10 films of 2004 by the American Film Institute (AFI). The film marked a significant shift in Tom Cruise's career, as he took on the role of the villain for the first time, delivering a memorable performance as the ruthless hitman.
DETAILS:
Director: Michael Mann
Cast: Tom Cruise, Jamie Foxx, Jada Pinkett Smith
Duration: 2h
Release Year: 2004
IMDB: 7.5
Tomatometer: 86%
Audience: 84%
The Bourne Supremacy picks up where the first film, The Bourne Identity, left off. Bourne (Matt Damon) and Marie (Franka Potente) are now living in Goa, India, trying to move on from their past. However, Bourne is haunted by memories of an assassination mission in Berlin. Meanwhile, in Germany, a CIA operation led by Deputy Director Pamela Landy is attempting to buy back the 'Neski Files' for $3 million. The files contain information about a $20 million CIA heist from seven years ago. But during the exchange, Kirill (Karl Urban) shows up, frames Bourne for the crime, kills two CIA agents, steals the files, and takes off with the money.
DETAILS:
Director: Paul Greengrass
Cast: Matt Damon, Franka Potente, Joan Allen
Duration: 1h 48m
Release Year: 2004
IMDB: 7.7
Tomatometer: 82%
Audience: 90%
8. Prodigal Son
Prodigal Son follows Malcolm Bright, the son of a notorious serial killer, who becomes one of the best criminal profilers in New York City. Despite his father’s horrific crimes, Malcolm uses his unique insight into the criminal mind—learned from his father—to help the NYPD solve gruesome murder cases. The series premiered on September 23, 2019, and ran for two seasons, with the second season premiering on January 12, 2021. Unfortunately, the show was canceled in May 2021 after its second season concluded.
DETAILS:
Directors: Chris Fedak, Sam Sklaver
Cast: Tom Payne, Lou Diamond Phillips, Halston Sage
Seasons: 33 episodes
Release Years: 2019-2021
IMDB: 7.7
Tomatometer: 58%
Audience: 86%
9. Mindhunter
Mindhunter follows FBI agents Holden Ford and Bill Tench as they investigate a series of brutal murders in the 1970s. At a time when serial killings are on the rise and grabbing national attention, Ford and Tench decide to dive deep into the criminal psyche to understand what drives these killers. Their method? Interviewing convicted serial murderers to analyze their patterns and motives, in the hopes of preventing future crimes. The show explores the early days of the FBI's Behavioral Science Unit and their efforts to create profiles of serial killers.
Mindhunter received multiple award nominations, including Dorian Awards and Primetime Emmy Awards, and won several accolades, including Best Lead Actor in a TV Series for Jonathan Groff.
DETAILS:
Director: Joe Penhall
Cast: Jonathan Groff, Holt McCallany, Anna Torv
Episodes: 19
Release Years: 2017 - 2019
IMDB: 8.6
Tomatometer: 97%
Audience: 95%
10. Hannibal
Hannibal follows Will Graham (Hugh Dancy), a criminal profiler working with the FBI to track down a serial killer. Graham possesses a unique ability to empathize with people, even those who are mentally disturbed, allowing him to understand them deeply. However, the mind of the killer he's chasing is so complex that even Will can't decode it. To help, he turns to Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a brilliant psychiatrist. What Will doesn't know is that Lecter is a serial killer himself, and this unlikely partnership is about to lead them down a dark path.
The show Hannibal debuted with 13 episodes in its first season. Unlike many shows, each season will consist of 13 episodes. The pilot was directed by David Slade, and the series premiered on NBC on April 4, 2013. Following the success of the first season, the show was renewed for a second season in May 2013, airing in 2014.
DETAILS:
Director: Bryan Fuller
Cast: Hugh Dancy, Mads Mikkelsen, Caroline Dhavernas
Episodes: 39
Release Years: 2013 - 2015
IMDB: 8.5
Tomatometer: 92%
Audience: 94%
