If you have watched the horror TV show, The Terror on Netflix, you know that it is a story about survival against all odds. Directed by Edward Bourne and inspired by Dan Simmons’ novel of the same name, the show tells the story of an expedition to the Northwest Passage.
However, while on their journey, their ships get stuck, leaving the crew to survive harsh weather conditions. To top it all off, they are also being haunted by a mysterious creature.
This gory, gripping watch, with its eerie atmosphere, showcases human strength, endurance, and morals. However, The Terror goes beyond human circumstances with the presence of supernatural elements. With superb performances and terrific cinematography, this show has captured the interest of many horror lovers.
Now, if you are among those who have just finished watching The Terror and are looking for something similar, here are the top 5 psychological horror TV shows to watch that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers. It also reflects the author's opinion. Reader's discretion is advised.
Top 5 psychological Horror TV Shows to watch if you liked The Terror on Netflix
The North Water
There is something about book-to-screen adaptations that piques viewers’ interests. The North Water is another such show based on Ian McGuire’s novel of the same name. Set in 1859, this show has five riveting episodes.
Directed by Andrew Haigh, you will see Jack O’Connell as Patrick Sumner and Colin Farrell as Henry Drax. Sumner is an ex-army doctor with a troubled past, and Drax is a dangerous harpooner. “The Volunteer” is a whaling ship that they both board, captained by Captain Brownlee (Stephen Graham).
You will hardly come across a dull moment in The North Water. The story is intense, dark, and twisted. Similar to The Terror, this horror TV show is a survival tale at sea. The crew has hidden motives and conflicts among each other. It is an exciting, compelling, and immersive watch for all horror lovers.
Chernobyl
The horrors of the 1986 nuclear disaster in Chernobyl, Ukraine, are the basis of this mini-series. The plot explores the consequences of the explosion. The devastating aftermath pulls at your heartstrings and makes you realize the gravity of the mistake that led to this event. Though there are no supernatural elements, this is no less than a horror TV show.
It reflects on the sacrifices that people had to make, the courage they had to muster, and the consequences they had to deal with following the event. This bleak show begins with a safety test gone wrong. There are various experienced and inexperienced workers, firefighters, etc., who aren’t fully aware of the gravity of the mistake. They try to control the situation, clueless about the danger it poses.
Then there are the government officials who try to downplay the entire situation and cover it up to save Russia’s image on the world stage. Soviet nuclear physicist Valery Legasov (Jared Harris) is the first to realize the gravity of the mistake and makes every attempt to prevent anything worse, much like the survival tale in The Terror. With every passing minute, things become more intense and devastating.
This is a true horror tale created by man-made mistakes and based on true events.
The Haunting of the Hill House
Sometimes, it is the ghost within us that haunts us the most. The Haunting of Hill House is a Netflix horror TV show that delves into the emotional turmoil caused by trauma and grief. Inspired by the popular novel by Shirley Jackson, the series revolves around the Crain family who moves into Hill House. However, the house is not ordinary. Its dark secrets haunt the family, resulting in the death of the mother.
The Crain children grow up but are still haunted by the events in the house. The series shows how each of them is suffering in some way or another due to their past. It is not only about ghosts that dwell outside but also how grief and trauma ultimately become the ghosts that live within us and continue to haunt us. This unique take on horror sets The Haunting of Hill House apart from other horror TV shows.
If you are looking for supernatural elements similar to The Terror, The Haunting of the Hill House will give you what you need along with so much more.
Penny Dreadful
This three-season horror TV show, created by John Logan, is set in the late 19th century and is dark and spooky. Eva Green plays Vanessa Ives, a religious clairvoyant. There’s also Sir Malcolm Murray (Timothy Dalton), a retired explorer, and Ethan Chandler (Josh Hartnett), an American sharpshooter.
The story brings them into contact with well-known characters from classic Gothic fiction, like Victor Frankenstein, Dorian Gray, and characters from Bram Stoker’s Dracula. The show explores dark, supernatural themes similar to The Terror.
It delves into the struggle with religious faith in a world becoming more secular, the nature of evil, and what it was like to be a woman in a male-dominated society.
Fortitude
Picture a small town surrounded by frozen landscapes—that’s Fortitude, a place in the Arctic. Everyone knows each other there, but everything changes when a scientist is brutally murdered. This psychological thriller, written by Simon Donald, is nothing less than a horror TV show.
What appears to be a close-knit, calm community in a small town hides secrets, and trust begins to falter. This suspenseful thriller gets more riveting by the minute. A sheriff leading a search and rescue team is suddenly faced with solving his first murder case. He is teamed with a British detective who arrives unusually quickly, making things look even more suspicious.
Both start suspecting each other as more secrets and crimes come to light. This is a must-watch suspenseful story for anyone who loves a good psychological thriller.
Stay tuned to SoapCentral for more updates and detailed coverage.
