Netflix’s1992may be a unique addition to the crime thriller genre, but viewers looking for something similar to watch have a long list of shows to choose from. Created by Jorge Guerricaechevarría and Álex de la Iglesia,1992centers on two characters, Richi and Amparo, who form an unlikely alliance to solve a series of interconnected murder mysteries. However, the closer they get to catching the killer, the more they realize there is more to his motives than meets the eye.
1992’s title comes from its past timeline, which adopts Seville Expo ‘92 as the primary trigger event that sets off a series of political and criminal upheavals in the future. Although the show adopts many well-worn tropes of the genre and struggles to etch its unique identity in the genre, it manages to conclude on a well-rounded note, barely leaving any plot threads hanging. Owing to this, many viewers would likely crave similar crime thrillers that not only focus on vicious serial killers but also present relatable detective characters.
Starring Jessica Biel, Bill Pullman, & Matt Bomer
The Sinner
The Sinner is a crime anthology series created by Derek Simonds that ran for four seasons on the USA Network. Bill Pullman is the star in each season, which all examine a different crime committed by the unlikeliest of culprits. The series was originally supposed to be an eight-part mini-series, but the success of season 1 caused USA to continue it as an anthology.
Boasting a Rotten Tomatoes score of 94%,The Sinneris based on Petra Hammesfahr’s book of the same name. It primarily focuses on Detective Harry Ambrose, who sets out to solve brutal murder cases while figuring out why seemingly ordinary people are involved in some of the most vicious crimes. With some strong leads, the show not only grips viewers with its well-thought-out mysteries but also its powerful performances.
The Sinner: The Main Characters, Ranked By Intelligence
The Sinner has dealt with both killers and victims during its run. Some were cunning and brilliant while others made many obvious mistakes.
The Sinneris similar to1992in the sense that both shows unfold like quintessential procedurals but also delve deep into the hidden motives of their central criminal characters. Instead of establishing them as immoral monsters,both shows walk through the series of tragic events that led them to commit their respective crimes. However,The Sinneris far more compelling than1992because of its nuanced storytelling and ability to stand out in the crime thriller genre.
Starring David Tennant, Olivia Colman, & Jodie Whittaker
Broadchurch
Broadchurch: Set in a small coastal town, Broadchurch follows the intense investigation into the murder of a young boy, as the case draws significant media attention and threatens the fabric of the close-knit community.
Created by Chris Chibnall,Broadchurchwalks through how the murder of a young boy in a quaint coastal town gradually tears the entire community down. It eventually comes down to D.I. Alex Hardy and D.S. Ellie Miller to solve the mystery behind the murder before it is too late.Broadchurch’s strength lies in its deeply poignant storytelling and the dynamic of its central detective duo whose secrets surface as the show progresses.
By the end of its third season,Broadchurchhad become ITV’s most-watched crime drama.
Like1992, Broadchurch makes good use of its small-town setting to immerse viewers in its chilling atmosphere. Similar to theNetflix detective series, it also goes back and forth between timelines to reveal the truth behind the central murder. Despite lasting for three seasons, the British drama also never experiences any major dips in quality and ends its run on a satisfying and well-rounded note.
Starring Jason Bateman, Ben Mendelsohn, & Cynthia Erivo
The Outsider
Based on Stephen King’s novel, this crime drama series follows a detective and an unconventional investigator as they confront a malevolent supernatural entity infiltrating a child murder investigation, leading them to challenge their perceptions of reality and justice.
Despite revolving around a murder investigation like most crime dramas,The Outsidertakes the unconventional approach of introducing supernatural elements. This should not be surprising since it is based on aStephen King bookof the same name. The show portrays Jason Bateman as one of its leads, Terry Maitland, who gets accused of committing a vicious murder. Detective Ralph Anderson hops on board to solve the mysteries behind the murder but struggles to find the truth when supernatural elements make him question everything he discovers.
Given its supernatural undertones,The Outsideris more likeTrue Detectiveseason 1 than Netflix’s1992. However,1992andThe Outsiderare still similar in the sense that both heavily focus on the psychological and emotional toll the central crime takes on all the individuals involved. The two shows also explore similar themes surrounding redemption and the human condition.
Starring Brit Marling, Emma Corrin, Harris Dickinson
A Murder at the End of the World
A Murder at the End of the World is an FX psychological thriller created and directed by Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij. The show centers on Darby Hart, an amateur detective who is invited to a billionaire’s remote location only to be forced to solve a murder. A Murder at the End of the World stars Emma Corrin, Brit Marling, and Clive Owen.
Created by Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij ofThe OAfame,A Murder at the End of the Worldis a miniseries, like1992, that does not outstay its welcome. Unlike1992,A Murder at the End of the Worldunfolds through the eyes of a Gen-Z sleuth, Darby Hart, who, like a modern-day Nancy Drew, sets out to solve the mystery behind the murders of the guests gathered at a billionaire’s retreat. Although Darby is much younger than1992’s main female character,Amparo, both characters lose their romantic interests before setting out to solve the central murders.
Darby relies more on the internet and modern-day technology to solve all the crimes in her story. However, both Darby and Amparo prove to be brilliant investigators despite not being directly involved with law enforcement. Through their narratives, both shows explore themes of grief, loss, morality, and justice.
Starring Ruth Wilson & Daryl McCormack
The Woman in the Wall
The Woman in the Wall is a 2023 crime-drama thriller series created by Joe Murtaugh. When a woman named Lora wakes up to discover a body in her home, she is forced to investigate and uncover the truth behind the body - even if it means she may be the murderer.
Similar to Netflix’s1992,The Woman in the Wallfeatures an unlikely duo as its central detective characters. In both shows, only one character (Colman inWoman in the Walland Richi in1992) has a background in law enforcement. Meanwhile, the other only gets embroiled in the central mystery drama because of their personal connection to the case.
BothThe Woman in the Walland1992are not based on true stories. However,the two shows adopt real historical events into their overarching narrativesto make their stories more immersive and relatable.The Woman in the Wall’s portrayal of Magdalene Laundriesin Ireland is arguably more hard-hitting than1992’s crime drama, which makes it the perfect follow-up series to watch after the Netflix show.
Starring Holt McCallany & Jonathan Groff
Mindhunter
From executive producers David Fincher and Charlize Theron comes Mindhunter, a series that chronicles the founding of the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit used to track and apprehend serial killers. Mindhunter follows Agent Holden Ford (Jonathan Groff) and Bill Tench (Holt McCallany) as they work to establish a framework for understanding the minds of some of America’s most dangerous serial killers. Mindhunter adapts a number of true crime stories, including the BTK murders and the notorious Co-Ed Killer, Edmund Kemper.
Created by David Fincher,Mindhunteris often ranked among the best-written crime thriller shows of all time, and rightfully so. Owing to this, it is not surprising that both of its seasons have a near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes critics score. Unfortunately, despite its critical success,Mindhunterwas prematurely canceled by Netflix after season 2. Even thoughMindhunternever got to reach its natural conclusion,it serves as the perfect series for viewers looking for meticulously crafted crime thrillersthat seamlessly combine true crime with fiction.
Starring Michael C. Hall And Jennifer Carpenter
Dexter
Dexter is a television series following Dexter Morgan, a blood spatter analyst for Miami Metro Police who secretly leads a dual life as a vigilante serial killer. Released in 2006, the show focuses on Dexter’s internal conflict as he hunts down criminals who elude justice within the legal system.
AlthoughDexterunfolds like a typical procedural thriller, it primarily focuses on its central titular series killer. This approach makes it significantly different from most shows of the genre.1992dedicates some of its runtime to exploring its main serial killer’s backstory. However, unlikeDexter, it unfolds primarily from the perspective of its two main investigators, Richi and Amparo.
Carlos Valladares
Younger Victor
The two shows seem similar when they explore their serial killer characters’ pasts. Both Dexter Mogan and1992’s Flamethrower Killerwatched their mothers die when they were much younger. This childhood event seemingly triggered their violent tendencies and turned them into serial killers. After growing older,the two characters also cross paths with guiding figures who recognize their true violent natureand encourage them to use it for morally questionable reasons.
Starring Amy Adams, Patricia Clarkson, & Chris Messina
Sharp Objects
Sharp Objects is an HBO thriller mini-series that centers on reporter Camille Preaker, a woman with a dark past returning to her hometown. Returning to Wind Gap, Missouri, to investigate two murders, she takes up at her childhood home, where she must now contend with her mother, who will force her to reckon with her past.
Based on Gillian Flynn’s book of the same name,Sharp Objectsis far darker and more disturbing than Netflix’s1992. However, likeSharp Objects,1992features an investigator who struggles to deal with his own demons and mental health conditions as he sets out to solve a murder mystery. With many Emmy and Golden Globe nominations under its belt,Sharp Objectsis a slow-burner that perfectly pays off as it ends its run with eight taut episodes. It may not be for the weak-hearted but should be on the watchlist of those who enjoy seeing shows with anti-hero detective characters.
Starring Kate Winslet And Evan Peters
Mare of Easttown
Mare of Easttown is a mystery crime-drama that stars Kate Winslet as a detective attempting to solve a murder as her life crumbles around her. Marianne “Mare” Sheehan is assigned to investigate the murder of one girl while trying to tackle a cold case of another missing girl. Having recently lost her son, Mare’s world is steeped in chaos as she attempts to reclaim her life in the eyes of the town - and herself.
Created and written by Brad Ingelsby for HBO,Mare of Easttownfocuses on a troubled detective who must solve the murder of a teenage mother. While the case itself presents its own set of challenges, her personal struggles hold her back from getting to the bottom of the murder mystery.Richi’s journey in1992is reminiscent of Mare’s fromMare of Easttown. Like the Kate Winslet character, he, too, finds it hard to deal with his recent divorce, and even his peers doubt his abilities as a detective. However, both characters eventually redeem themselves in their respective narratives by proving what they are capable of.
Starring Matthew McConaughey, Woody Harrelson, Colin Farrell, & Jodie Foster
True Detective
True Detective is an anthology series exploring intricate criminal investigations through multiple timelines. Each season examines dark personal and professional secrets revealed during the course of solving complex cases, highlighting the impact of crime on individuals both within and outside the law enforcement community.
1992may not come close to matching the brilliance ofTrue Detectiveseason 1, but it shares some thematic parallels with the HBO series. For instance, one of1992’s two main characters struggles with alcoholism and even ends up losing his wife and child to his cycles of toxic habits likeTrue Detective’s Martin Hart. Like all the detective duos featured inTrue Detective’s different seasons, the two investigators, Richi and Amparo, in1992, also have a complex and often fraught relationship.
…when it solely comes to its first installment,True Detectivestands as a masterclass in storytelling, with its performances further elevating the impact of its philosophical underpinnings and crime drama.
SinceTrue Detectivetakes more of an anthology approach, it experiences a fair share of dips in quality as it progresses. However, when it solely comes to its first installment,True Detectivestands as a masterclass in storytelling, with its performances further elevating the impact of its philosophical underpinnings and crime drama.
