At a loss for things to do over break? Well, here are some scary, intense, and creepy TV shows to watch over break that will give you that mental breakdown and emotional wreckage your life will (hopefully) be missing after finals end.
Black Mirror
Creepy as all hell, this Twilight Zone-esque show gives you major existential crises and may, in fact, ruin your life. That being said, it’s so good. It’s very bizarre, and some episodes are more bizarre than others, but it’s worth the watch. Episodes featuring Dallas Bryce Howard, Jon Hamm, Domhnall Gleeson, Madeline Brewer, Hayley Atwell, Wyatt Russell, Mackenzie Davis, and Jerome Flynn. For those who enjoy cerebral shows and getting their minds blown.
For fans of: The Twilight Zone
Where to watch: Netflix
The 100
It’s 100 years after a nuclear war on earth made it impossible for human life to survive. Now, the space station holding what remains of humanity is running out of oxygen. Their only hope is to see if earth is safe to be reinhabited. The solution? Test the success of the human race with a group of 100 juvenile prisoners, living by the codes of anarchy. This show is similar to The Hunger Games, very post-apocalyptic. It stars a bunch of amazing women, kick-ass female characters, and a gripping plot. Even though some of the boys are kind of annoying (I’m talking to you, Finn), the girls know how to get things done. Featuring Eliza Taylor, Bob Morley, Marie Avgeropoulos, Devon Bostick, Christopher Larkin, Lindsey Morgan, Ricky Whittle, Thomas McDonell, Paige Turco, Henry Ian Cusick, and Isaiah Washington.
For fans of: The Hunger Games
Where to watch: Netflix & CW
Westworld
Best described as Jurassic Park with people (fittingly so, since it’s based on a movie written by Michael Crichton, author of Jurassic Park), Westworld introduces us to an incredible theme park-like world, where the rich can get a taste of the wild, wild west. Filled with AI hosts, the park has served for years as a pleasure-filled adventure for the powerful. That is, until the hosts start acting up. This show is full of mystery and intrigue. There is a lot of killing and I will give a trigger warning for sexual abuse. Featuring Evan Rachel Wood, Thandie Newton, Jeffrey Wright, James Marsden, Ed Harris, Jimmi Simpson, Ben Barnes, and Anthony Hopkins.
For fans of: Jurassic Park
Where to watch: HBO
Peaky Blinders
If you like the intensity of mob culture and the sharp jawline of Cillian Murphy, you’ll love this show. Set after World War I, a family in England runs the little town of Birmingham. Sneaky treaties, bold characters, and some badass women make this show great. (Yes, I’ve written about Peaky Blinders before. It’s a really good show, okay? You can read more about it here.)
For fans of: Downton Abbey
Where to watch: Netflix
Bates Motel
Ever wondered what Norman Bates’ life was like before Psycho? This show lets you know. Norma and Norman Bates have just bought their new motel, only to discover that the main highway it’s on is going to be closed. Now Norma must figure out what to do to stop this from happening, while Norman tries to be…normal. This show goes in depth on the psychology and relationship between Norman and his mother, and even throws in a drug war in the middle. The acting from Freddie Highmore and Vera Farmiga is fantastic. A must see! Featuring Freddie Highmore, Vera Farmiga, Max Thieriot, Olivia Cooke, Nicola Peltz, and Nestor Carbonell.
For fans of: Psycho
Where to watch: Netflix & A&E
Stranger Things
Unless you’ve been living under a rock these past few months, you have absolutely heard about Stranger Things. Set in Indiana in the 80s, Will Byers vanishes one night. Now, his friends must track him down and bring him back home. They find help in the bizarre near-mute girl, Eleven, they meet along the way. This show has every genre you could possibly want: Comedy, horror, sci-fi, romance, thriller, drama, and all with an 80s flair. The acting in this show is epic, too. And…Nancy’s sweaters are top notch. Featuring Winona Ryder, Finn Wolfhard, Millie Bobby Brown, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Natalia Dyer, Joe Keery, Charlie Heaton, and David Harbour.
For fans of: Anything…literally, anything. (Unless you really don’t like sci-fi or monsters.)
Where to watch: Netflix
Scream
Brandon James, infamous Lakewood serial killer, is back and killing it. When students start getting stabbed, Emma Duval finds herself in the middle of the chaos. Emma and her friends must team up, find the fake “Brandon James”, and bring him down. As is Scream’s way, this show makes fun of scary movies and TV shows…therefore, making fun of itself. Noah is a particularly self-aware character, often pointing out what would happen “if this was a horror movie”. This show is more than that, though. As Noah points out, if you don’t care about the characters, you’re not affected if they die or not. And, this show makes you care. Scary and intense, but also hilarious. Featuring Willa Fitzgerald, Bex Taylor-Klaus, John Karna, Carlson Young, Amadeus Serafini, Tom Madden, and Tracey Middendorf.
For fans of: Scream (duh)
Where to watch: Netflix & MTV