Mr. Robot (2015-2019)
IMDb: 8.5
Just like Severance with its commentary on corporate culture, some shows just have the best timing. This was certainly the case when Mr. Robot, a story about a small band of hackers taking on a megacorporation, began airing in 2015 – just as digital privacy and cryptocurrency were becoming hot mainstream topics.
It didn’t take long for overwhelming praise to start pouring in not just from critics, but from computer scientists, hackers, and cybersec experts, too. Even though season one already had its fair share of plot twists and fourth-wall-breaks, over the course of its four-season run the show would continue to gain a reputation for playing fast-and-loose with genre conventions, story structure, art direction – even going as far as making the viewers a character in their own right.
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Patriot (2015-2018)
IMDb: 8.2
A depressed secret agent channels his workplace frustrations into folk music with lyrics that sound suspiciously like the details of classified missions – that is certainly not a plot premise you see every day.
When it comes to criminally underrated shows, Patriot takes the cake. Back in 2015, it was one of the very first Amazon Prime originals and fell victim to a lack of proper marketing, receiving only two seasons and, for most viewers, going completely under the radar. However, it has gained cult status in the years since, and for good reason. Imagine if The Bourne Identity was made by the Coen brothers? Or if Wes Anderson had made the Jack Ryan series? The result would probably be a lot like Patriot – a standout work of real artistic merit that'll make you laugh a lot and cry a little.
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Legion (2017-2019)
IMDb: 8.1
Whether or not you believe “superhero fatigue” is a real thing, there’s a case to be made for truly standalone comic-based stories – ones that aren’t restrained by continuity or the need to set up a few more sequels.
With Legion, showrunner Noah Hawley (creator of Fargo – the series, not the film) adapts a famously trippy Marvel character for screen: none other than the titular Legion, a powerful mutant with multiple personalities. Oh, and he’s the son of X-Men’s Professor X, too (there’s a lot of history to unpack there). Between some truly impressive psychedelic visuals and a story that masterfully balances comedy, horror, and drama, it remains a real breath of fresh air in the superhero genre.
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Landscapers (2021)
IMDb: 7.0
Speaking of fatigue – yes, it’s not just you: there are far too many true-crime shows out there! But even if you decide to bid the genre adieu, you should make an exception for this little gem.
Why? First, because it stars Olivia Colman as a timid classic film aficionado and David Thewlis as her doting husband… and the only hang-up is that they’ve been accused of a most gruesome murder. Second, because this is a show that artfully tackles that first word in the term “true crime”: how do you tell a “true” story when reality is so complex, muddled, and might not ever be completely clear? The answer: by borrowing tricks from theater and carefully blurring the line between TV show and stage play. And third, because at four 45-minute episodes, it clocks in at just three hours – an admirable feat in the age of miniseries that go on for too long.
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Kaleidoscope (2023)
IMDb: 6.6
Who doesn’t love a good heist? In Kaleidoscope, non-linear storytelling reaches new heights: the eight-episode Netflix series is designed to be seen in a (mostly) randomized order, with the only fixed spot reserved for the finale. That makes for 5,040 possible ways to watch the show!
As for the story, it’s all you’d really want from a proper caper: a master thief (Breaking Bad alum Giancarlo Esposito) puts together a crew to steal $7 billion – and, as one would expect, alliances, backstabbery, and unexpected developments put the plan at a risk. It might not aim for in-depth character drama or profound statements on eternal subjects, but it delivers all the right beats for an entertaining weekend watch. And sometimes, that’s all you need.
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For more pop culture recommendations, check out our features on captivating Soviet & Russian TV shows, the best comic books for science lovers, and our pick of four great science documentaries – or click on one of the tags below!
