There are TV reveals that make you emotional, after which there are TV reveals that break your spirit. The HBO Max reveals on this record are the darkest of the darkish, they usually would possibly simply make you abandon all hope in humanity. We’re not simply speaking about dramas that frustrate audiences, we’re specializing in those that basically hit you the place it hurts.
Generally, you want an excellent present to interrupt your coronary heart. 5 of the reveals on this record ran for a number of seasons. 4 of them are restricted collection that handle to crush the human spirit in 10 episodes or fewer. Which one is the darkest? You may simply have to observe and determine for your self.
Listed here are 9 tremendous darkish TV reveals you’ll be able to watch on HBO Max proper now.
9
‘The Wire’ (2002 – 2008)
Variety of Seasons: 5
The Wire is an American crime drama created by David Simon, who’d go on to make Treme in 2010. The Wire explores the drug scene in Baltimore, Maryland, telling the tales of each drug sellers and legislation enforcement. The forged consists of Dominic West (The Affair), John Doman (Gotham), Idris Elba (Luther), Frankie R. Faison (Banshee), Deirdre Lovejoy (The Blacklist), Wendell Pierce (Treme), Lance Reddick (Bosch), Andre Royo (Empire), and Sonja Sohn (Physique of Proof).
Whereas The Wire acquired vital acclaim fairly shortly, it has developed a good stronger following within the years because it ended. Many contemplate The Wire to be one of many best dramas of all time, portray a painful portrait of an American metropolis and the human expertise. The Wire has a 95% score from critics and a 96% score from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes.
8
‘The Pacific’ (2010)
Variety of Seasons: 1 (Restricted Collection)
After the success of Band of Brothers in 2001, HBO produced The Pacific as a 10-part companion miniseries. Based mostly on a number of memoirs, The Pacific focuses on the battle experiences of Robert Leckie (James Badge Taylor), Eugene Sledge (Joseph Mazzello), and John Basilone (Jon Seda). Band of Brothers tells deeply private human tales about allied forces combating within the European Theater throughout World Struggle II and The Pacific does the identical for these combating within the Pacific Theater.
The Pacific does not simply concentrate on the combating, although there may be loads of it. The collection examines how troopers struggled to return residence from the battle — modified by what that they had carried out and seen in addition to these they misplaced. The Pacific acquired 24 Primetime Emmy Award nominations and gained eight of these awards, together with Excellent Casting for a Miniseries and Excellent Miniseries.
7
‘The Leftovers’ (2014 – 2017)
Variety of Seasons: 3
The Leftovers is a supernatural drama created by Damon Lindelof (Misplaced) and Tom Perrotta (Little Kids), based mostly on Perrotta’s 2011 novel of the identical title. The collection is ready three years after 2% of the human inhabitants vanished into skinny air. For many who had been left behind, it has been a battle to reside in a world eternally modified.
The present stars Justin Theroux (Maniac), Carrie Coon (The Gilded Age), and Christopher Eccleston (Physician Who) in a forged that features Amy Brenneman (Judging Amy), Liv Tyler (Lord of the Rings), Chris Zylka (The Secret Circle), Margaret Qualley (The Substance), Ann Dowd (The Handmaid’s Story), Kevin Carrol (The Strolling Useless), Jovan Adepo (Watchmen), and Scott Glenn (Daredevil). A grim story of loss and survival, The Leftovers garnered sturdy critiques. Critics referred to as it immersive and highly effective however somber. The Leftovers was nominated for 9 Critics’ Alternative Awards, successful Most Thrilling New Collection in 2014 and Finest Actress for Carrie Coon in 2016.
6
‘The Night time Of’ (2016)
Variety of Seasons: 1 (Restricted Collection)
Based mostly on the 2008 British present Prison Justice, The Night time Of is a darkish crime drama created by screenwriters Richard Value (The Wire) and Steven Zaillian (Schindler’s Checklist). Riz Ahmed (Sound of Steel) stars as Nasir “Naz” Khan, a Pakistani-American faculty scholar who goes residence with a girl one night time solely to then be accused of her homicide. The forged consists of John Turturro (Severance) as Naz’s lawyer, in addition to Michael Kenneth Williams (Lovecraft Nation), Invoice Camp (The Leftovers), Jeannie Berlin (Succession), Payman Maadi (A Separation), and Poorna Jagannathan (By no means Have I Ever).
The Night time Of examines Naz’s journey by means of the prison justice system in excruciating element, from his arrest by means of detainment at Rikers Island Jail whereas awaiting trial. The present is at instances tough to observe, particularly with Ahmed’s soul-searing efficiency. The Night time Of was nominated for 13 Primetime Emmy Awards. It gained eight of these awards, together with Excellent Lead Actor for Riz Ahmed.
5
‘Sharp Objects’ (2018)
Variety of Seasons: 1 (Restricted Collection)
Sharp Objects is an exhilarating Southern Gothic thriller created by Marti Noxon (Dietland) and based mostly on Gillian Flynn’s extremely darkish 2006 debut novel. Amy Adams (Nightbitch) stars as Camille Preaker, a criminal offense reporter combating alcoholism who returns to her hometown of Wind Hole, Missouri to cowl the murders of two younger women. As she returns to the place of her youth, Camille should face her personal private demons as she investigates the crimes, avoids her overbearing mom, Adora Crellin (Patricia Clarkson), and catches glimpses of her youthful half-sister, Amma (Eliza Scanlen).
Sharp Objects is a brutal exploration of familial trauma and self-destruction in opposition to the backdrop of a haunting thriller. It is gorgeously shot with distinctive performances, together with a career-best efficiency from Adams. Sharp Objects acquired eight Primetime Emmy Award nominations. Patricia Clarkson gained a Golden Globe for her efficiency, and Amy Adams gained a Critics’ Alternative Award for enjoying Camille Preaker.
4
‘Chernobyl’ (2019)
Variety of Seasons: 1 (Restricted Collection)
Written and created by Craig Mazin (The Final of Us), Chernobyl is a fully gutting drama based mostly on the notorious 1986 nuclear plant catastrophe within the Soviet Union. Informed in simply 5 episodes, the miniseries stars Jared Harris (The Crown), Stellan Skarsgård (Dune), Emily Watson (Dune: Prophecy), Paul Ritter (The Final Kingdom), Jessie Buckley (Taboo), Adam Nagaitis (The Terror), Robert Emms (Andor), and Sam Troughton (The Ritual).
The primary episode of Chernobyl is maybe probably the most tough single episode of any collection to observe on tv. Seeing the consequences of radiation publicity is horrifying, particularly because the viewers is aware of what is occurring earlier than the characters do. Chernobyl gained 10 Primetime Emmy Awards, together with Excellent Writing for Craig Mazin, Excellent Directing for Jonah Renck, and Excellent Restricted Collection.
3
‘Euphoria’ (2019 – Current)
Variety of Seasons: 2 and Counting
Created by Sam Levinson (The Idol), Euphoria is a psychological drama about teenagers residing in California. Zendaya (Dune) stars as narrator Ruby “Rue” Bennett, a queer teenager combating habit and melancholy. The forged options Hunter Schafer (Cuckoo), Maude Apatow (The King of Staten Island), Sydney Sweeney (Immaculate), Alexa Demie (Mid90s), Barbie Ferreira (Bob Trevino Likes It), Angus Cloud (Abigail), Jacob Elordi (Saltburn), Austin Abrams (Weapons), Storm Reid (The Nun II), Eric Dane (Gray’s Anatomy), and Colman Domingo (The 4 Seasons).
The present is understood for tackling extremely grownup themes, exploring psychological well being, habit, and sexual autonomy. The collection has gained 9 Primetime Emmy Awards, with Zendaya successful Excellent Lead Actress in a Drama Collection in 2020 and 2022. Her efficiency as Rue has been hailed as a triumph. Euphoria is predicted to return on HBO for its third and closing season in 2026.
2
‘Perry Mason’ (2020 – 2023)
Variety of Seasons: 2
Perry Mason is a historic crime drama based mostly on the fictional character created by Erle Stanley Gardner. Matthew Rhys (In the direction of Zero) stars within the title position as a personal investigator within the Thirties who turns into a lawyer whereas making an attempt to defend a girl accused of getting her personal son killed. The forged for Season 1 options the skills of Juliet Rylance (The Knick), Chris Chalk (The Newsroom), Shea Whigham (Boardwalk Empire), Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black), Gayle Rankin (Home of the Dragon), Robert Patrick (From Nightfall until Daybreak: The Collection), Lili Taylor (Six Ft Below), and John Lithgow (Conclave).
Perry Mason is a darkish, brooding character in a darkish, brooding story. The primary season’s concentrate on the loss of life of a younger youngster is harrowing. Additionally it is set in opposition to the backdrop of the Nice Despair. Perry Mason was nominated for six Primetime Emmy Awards throughout two seasons. Rhys was additionally nominated for a Critics’ Alternative Award, a Golden Globe, and a Satellite tv for pc Award.
1
‘The Final of Us’ (2023 – Current)
Variety of Seasons: 2 and Counting
Based mostly on the hit online game, The Final of Us is a post-apocalyptic drama created by Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann. The present is ready within the aftermath of a worldwide pandemic that has decimated civilization. Recreation of Thrones alum Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal star as Ellie and Joel. Ellie is a teen resistant to the an infection who would possibly simply be the important thing to creating a remedy. Joel is the hardened survivor tasked with defending Ellie, who over time reminds him of the daughter he misplaced when the pandemic first started.
The Final of Us is heartbreaking, poignant, and at instances ruthless. Season 2 is especially devastating. The present has gained eight Primetime Emmy Awards for Season 2, together with Excellent Visitor Actress for Storm Reid and Excellent Visitor Actor for Nick Offerman. It has an 83% score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. Season 3 of The Final of Us is predicted to return someday in 2027.