If You Miss High-Quality Plot Twists, Watch This 2025's Most Gripping Mystery Thriller

Do you remember how Lost began with a story of survival after a plane crash and how Twin Peaks began with a murder investigation?

Great mystery series often disguise themselves as something familiar only to surprise viewers with unexpected twists. In 2025, Paradise brilliantly repeated this technique, becoming the year's first major TV discovery.

What Is 'Paradise' About?

At first glance, Paradise appears to be a political thriller. The main character, Xavier Collins, is a Secret Service agent who finds that the US president has been murdered.

He initiates standard protocol by locking down the crime scene and calling for backup. The first 47 minutes of the first episode are a well-made, tense yet down-to-earth detective story about searching for the killer.

However, something happens in the finale of the first episode that turns everything upside down.

Disney and Hulu Hid the Truth About 'Paradise'

The ad campaign for Paradise was a massive deception. Trailers and synopses consistently portrayed it as the story of a security guard suspected of assassinating the president.

At a time when marketing often reveals key scenes, the studios took a risky step by deliberately concealing the project's true nature.

This gamble paid off – the shock value of the finale of the first episode sparked a powerful wave of discussion, transforming Paradise from an intriguing thriller into the season's biggest TV mystery.

'Paradise' Is a Well-Written Series Made by the Screenwriter of 'Cars' & 'Tangled'

Dan Fogelman, whose name is associated with family animated hits like Cars and Tangled, created Paradise. No one expected him to create such a dark and mysterious project, however, he fully demonstrated his talent as a storyteller here.

Even minor characters, such as the president played by James Marsden, are written with remarkable depth. Fogelman's experience working with Disney clearly helped him craft an incredibly tight script.

'Paradise' Doesn't Waste Its Viewers' Time

Unlike many projects that build up over several episodes, Paradise reveals its purpose at the end of the first episode.

It's a fair deal for viewers: within an hour, you'll know whether you're watching a political thriller or something far more fantastical and global. You'll be able to make an informed decision about whether to continue watching.

Every scene and dialogue in Paradise serves one of three purposes: developing the plot, revealing the characters, or creating a unique, unsettling atmosphere.

Thanks to its dense narrative, Paradise grips you from the first minute and doesn't let go, leaving you eager for each new episode.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Paradise'?

• Paradise has 86% from critics and 84% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the series has a score of 7.9/10.

Where to Watch 'Paradise'?

Paradise is available to stream on Hulu and Disney+.