Stephen King Praised This 96% Fresh Action Thriller (It's Perfect for 'Killing Eve' Fans)

Stephen King often shares his horror recommendations, from The Haunting of Hill House to Late Night with the Devil. Less often, he pays attention to projects of other genres.

Stephen King Recommends Netflix Series 'Kleo'

One of King's favorites on Netflix is a rather unexpected pick – an action-thriller comedy. In a now-deleted tweet on his X account, the writer recommended the 2022 series Kleo:

“KLEO (Netflix): What a breath of fresh air! Suspenseful and also very funny. I wonder, though, where Kleo's money came from. Flying off to Mallorca mustn't have been cheap, even in 1989. Oh well–just enjoy.”

What Is 'Kleo' About?

Kleo Straub is a trained East German Stasi assassin. She kills enemies of the state on orders from the secret department of the Ministry of State Security.

In 1987, she goes on a mission to West Berlin, completes it successfully, but unexpectedly ends up in prison upon her return. Kleo spends several years behind bars, during which time the Berlin Wall falls and she is released under an amnesty.

However, Kleo does not intend to lead a quiet life after her release. She wants to find out who sent her to prison and why, and she wants to take revenge on those responsible.

'Kleo' Is a Perfect Pick for Those Who Still Miss 'Killing Eve'

Kleo's atmosphere and style falls somewhere between Killing Eve and Kill Bill – the creators openly reference both projects.

The main character's image is clearly inspired by Villanelle. She also wears stunning vintage looks and almost always appears detached.

At the same time, Kleo is more alive, real, and sensitive than Villanelle. Unlike Jodie Comer's character, she is not a psychopathic killer. It is much easier to empathize with her because she is an ordinary girl who was broken by the system.

'Kleo' Is a Bright and Gripping Action Comedy That You Can Watch in a Couple of Evenings

Despite its premise, Kleo has nothing to do with the historical drama genre – it's a pure action comedy that unfolds in bright, almost fairy-tale scenery.

And Kleo is also a treat for fans of short series – it consists of only two seasons of eight and six episodes each.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Kleo'?

• Kleo has 96% from critics and 68% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the series has a score of 7.5/10.