5 Shows That Get You Hooked From the Very Beginning
We know how hard it is to find a show you'll really love to the point of forgetting what time it is. But we've got your back! These 5 series are exactly what you've been looking for.
We've all been there: starting a new series only to find ourselves reaching for our phones ten minutes in. Maybe the plot's moving at a snail's pace, or the characters aren't clicking, or you're just not vibing with the whole thing. And that's all totally fine, but life's too short for mediocre TV.
Sometimes you really need that distraction. You need a show that'll grab you by the collar in the first scene and won’t let go until the credits roll, a show that'll make you forget you even own a phone.
Well, we've done some heavy lifting for you and dug 5 of the most addictive shows out there (no "it gets better after episode 4" nonsense). All you gotta do is pick one and enjoy.
Blue Eye Samurai (2023-Present): Revenge Served Ice Cold
Think of the most visually stunning animation you've ever seen, then multiply that by ten. That's Blue Eye Samurai for you.
Set in Edo-period Japan, the series follows a warrior seeking vengeance against those who made her an outcast. Revenge drives the plot, but it's the show's gorgeous animation and complex character work that will keep you hitting the next episode.
Why is it a must watch? It's the emotional depth that'll keep you glued to your screen. Plus, the fight scenes are next level. As Emma Stefansky (The Atlantic) noted:
“Blue Eye Samurai is more than worth the hype: It deserves to be counted among the best shows of the year. The series takes the trappings of a heroic action-adventure and turns them on their head, crafting a bloody, emotional drama that is riveting from the very first frame.”
Blue Eye Samurai is available on Netflix. And we already see it becoming a cult classic in the future.
Mr. Robot (2015-2019): Reality Meets Digital Paranoia
Mr. Robot will make you question everything you think you know about the digital world we live in.
Meet Elliot, cybersecurity engineer by day and vengeful hacker by night. He's brilliant, troubled, and about to get trapped in a web of global conspiracy that'll make you seriously consider putting tape over your laptop camera.
It's probably the most accurate portrayal of hacking and tech culture ever put on screen. But beyond the tech, it's a deeply human story about mental health.
Redditor ChiBitCTy put into words what we (and many others) have been thinking:
“Personally the opening scene of Mr Robot hooked me instantly and reaffirmed how I feel about hacktivism.”
You can watch Mr. Robot right now on Apple TV+. And trust us, that's a wild ride.
Bodyguard (2018): 6 Episodes of Pure Adrenaline
Forget scrolling, this show will have you immersed from start to finish.
David Budd (Richard Madden), a war veteran turned police sergeant, gets assigned to protect a controversial politician. But it's not as simple as it may seem from the first look.
If you love political thrillers that don't treat you like an idiot, this is your new favorite show. Madden delivers a performance so intense you'll forget he was ever the King in the North. The pacing is relentless and the stakes feel terrifyingly real.
Serena Seghedoni (Loud and Clear) wasn't exaggerating when saying:
“Bodyguard is one of those rare shows that will have you hooked to the screen from the very first scene to the last.”
If anything, that’s an understatement.
Catch Bodyguard on Fandango at Home, Netflix, Amazon Video or Apple TV+. And get ready to be immersed!
Barry (2018-2023): Dark Comedy at Its Finest
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What happens when a depressed hitman turns to acting? Pure entertainment, that's what.
Barry Berkman is a hitman who discovers his passion for acting while on a job in LA. It's a great set up for comedy, but Barry is much more than that. The show tackles some heavy topics and never loses its dark sense of humor.
Bill Hader's performance as Barry will have you simultaneously rooting and horrified.
Just when you think you know where the story's going, it throws you into a deep end. And this exactly is the reason why the show is so bingeable. As KilljoyAgentRevenge on Reddit confirmed:
“I saw the first episode and immediately loved it all the way to the end.”
You can catch Barry on Fandango at Home, HBO Max, Amazon Video and Apple TV+. We're truly blessed with this one.
ZeroZeroZero (2020): The Ultimate “One More Episode”
The show that'll have you wondering how it is 3 AM already.
This Italian crime drama follows a cocaine shipment across three continents. We're talking about an international cast, multiple languages and some of the most intense sequences you'll ever see on TV.
What makes it so addictive? It's how real everything feels. ZeroZeroZero is possibly the most ambitious crime drama in recent years. The production values are insane and somehow you end up emotionally invested in characters who are objectively bad guys.
Ed Cumming (Independent UK) totally got it writing:
“A little of The Godfather, a splash of Sicario, a dash of Succession: a tasty recipe.”
You can stream ZeroZeroZero on Amazon Video. Just don't blame us if you end up watching the whole thing in one sitting!
