Shows like The Watcher – 9 Shows That Will Keep You On The Edge

Fans are enthralled to know that Ryan Murphy is back again with his debut in The Watcher. It is one of the most recent dramas to take over popular culture. In 2022, the widespread acceptance of true crime kept rising.

The 2018 New Yorker story claims that suspicious neighbors with hidden agendas baffle efforts to identify the stalker. The Watcher was adapted from this story. The show centers on a married couple who, not long after settling into their new house, start receiving letters from an unidentified stalker. Many TV fans are left yearning for more of the relatively short-lived miniseries because of its excellent performances.

The show largely takes on the vibe of a psychological drama. However, it also performed “Murphy style,” with a few huge scares as the mystery deepens and the shady side of the town is exposed. After you’ve finished binge-watching The Watcher, keep reading to discover 9 more shows you should watch.

1. Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story (2022)

Stream on Netflix

With this self-titled miniseries, Dahmer-Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, Ryan Murphy has virtually taken over television. The series, which dramatized the life and actions of American serial murderer Jeffrey Dahmer, made a special effort to depict actual events in graphic detail.

In contrast to earlier replication of the narrative that omitted details, Dahmer examined the effects of the man’s crimes on the Milwaukee community. He also expressed strong opinions about the shortcomings of the law enforcement system at the time. Murphy’s other show, The Watcher, is far less controversial, but both exhibit his distinctive style.

2. True Detective (2014-)

Stream on HBO Max

True Detective is a fantastic anthology series that you should check out. This HBO original series explores the craziest narratives you could imagine. From missing infants to the killings of politicians, it delves into a different mystery with a fresh cast every new season.

Though less overtly horrific than The Watcher, True Detective gradually demoralizes viewers, much like the creeping gloom of crime. Nevertheless, the stories portrayed are terrifying, and the fictional protagonists’ struggles are eerily similar to some of the finest real crime documentaries. Ultimately, True Detective relies heavily on its exceptional performances, which are many in this show.

3. The Sinner (2017-2021)

Stream on Netflix

The Sinner is another mystery and crime drama series. Bill Pullman plays Harry Ambrose in this USA Network series. He is a police investigator who is entangled in crimes that alter his life forever. This includes the death of a man by stabbing, vehicle accidents with hidden motives, and much more.

The Sinner resembles an anthology series in that, while Ambrose appears in each season, the case and the characters surrounding him are always changing. For readers of The Watcher, Ambrose is a truly captivating character, and the riddles are intriguing to solve. The program has four seasons in total, all of which are equally intriguing.

4. The Act (2019)

Available on Hulu

Several prominent cases in the media have surely contributed to the current trend of real-life crime miniseries, and The Act vividly brought a horrific story to life. The show follows the life of Gypsy Blanchard, a young lady who defies her controlling mother by going to a great extent.

Crime series are typically clear-cut instances; however, The Act demonstrated that even high-profile cases could have some suspicious areas and were never entirely predicted. Like The Watcher, The Act’s outstanding cast is what makes it stand out.

5. Under The Banner Of Heaven (2022)

Stream on Hulu

Andrew Garfield stars in this Hulu original miniseries, Under the Banner of Heaven. The series narrates the true story of the 1984 murder of Brenda Wright Lafferty and her daughter, as well as the circumstances leading up to it, demonstrating a connection to Mormonism.  

The acting is what truly makes this series amazing. However, for fans of The Watcher, it has much of that actual criminal element where the entire series is sort of a riddle while you’re trying to comprehend exactly what happened. Without a doubt, Daisy Edgar-Jones is a standout actress who plays Brenda, but Andrew Garfield is also at his best and gives it his all in this role.

6. The Staircase (2022)

Stream on HBO Max

The Staircase is a different drama based on real-life events. It is also a 1-season show. The series stars Toni Collette and Colin Firth. It tells the true story of Michael Peterson, a writer who finds his wife dead at the foot of their staircase and is abruptly accused of murder. It explores what may have happened and what preceded it.  

For fans of The Watcher, The Staircase is the ideal television program. Even if the tone isn’t as light, the mystery is expertly written. It’s fascinating to see the case unfold from start to finish and discover what transpired, especially for someone who isn’t familiar with the actual case.

7. A Friend Of The Family (2022)

Stream on Peacock

Not too long after its premiere, A Friend of the Family established itself as one of the top true crime shows of 2022. It takes place in the 1970s and centers on the Broberg family after their young daughter Jan is abducted by a man who uses his emotional manipulation skills to turn the entire group against one another. The horrific ordeal of the Broberg clan serves as a warning about the perils of placing too much trust in others.

It is a lesser-known narrative that is adapted into a miniseries. Similar to The Watcher, the experience’s actual terror lies in how ordinary everything appears, leaving the audience to wonder how they would have acted under the circumstances.

8. The White Lotus (2021-)

Stream on HBO Max

The White Lotus is another anthology series you should look at. With the help of this HBO miniseries, which follows several different resort patrons, it demonstrates that nothing is quite as it seems and that everyone is hiding something.

Originally intended to be a miniseries, The White Lotus proved to be so successful that another season was demanded by the audience. Jennifer Coolidge, one of The Watcher’s stars, appears in both seasons and is consistently successful; her performance earned her a Primetime Emmy.  

9. Mindhunter (2017-2019)

Available on Netflix

In Mindhunter, the beginnings of contemporary criminal profiling were demonstrated through the personal accounts of Special Agent John Douglas. In this late 1970s drama, two FBI agents interview infamous killers to build a profile that will help them in arresting other murderers. The characters, whose theories are now acknowledged as science, battle to convince law enforcement officers of their validity.

Aside from the program’s historical intrigue, fans will find solace in the character-based tale, which evokes a spooky sense.

10. Des (2020)

Stream on AMC+

It takes some sensitivity to portray serial killers in real crime media without coming across as manipulative, even though they remain one of the most famous themes. The narrative of Des revolves around British killer Dennis Nilsen and the biographer who speaks with him to try and figure out the case. David Tennant’s portrayal of Nilsen is incredibly realistic and terrifying, and it ranks firmly among his best roles.

Des, which is presented in retrospect, contrasts with The Watcher. This recounts its story while it is happening and demonstrates the terrifying character of Nilsen and his atrocities.