There aren’t many shows that can compete withTrue Detective, but there is one on Netflix.Netflix’s TV libraryoffers a wide range of options for crime and murder mystery enthusiasts, but finding something that matches the quality ofTrue Detectivecan be challenging​​​. It’s one of thebest TV shows ever made, and it’s left big shoes to fill.

All ofTrue Detective’sseasons have their virtues, but the primary one that audiences will want to see more of is Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson’s unrivaled first season.It’s possibleTrue Detectiveseason 5could fill this void,but for now, there are options on other streaming services.

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Mindhunter Was To Netflix What True Detective Was To HBO

Cinematic, Slow-Burn Style Redefined Crime Drama for Netflix

The biggest selling point forMindhunteris that it’s produced and directed by David Fincher,one of the most celebrated filmmakers of the past thirty years, whose work on titles likeSe7en,Zodiac, andGone Girlhas set the tone for contemporary thriller films. This brought a distinct, unprecedented level of prestige to Netflix television.

Bringing movie star actors to TV forTrue Detectivewas prolific, setting the stage for many of the prestige series that have followed it.Likewise, David Fincher’s work onMindhunterproved there was a place for top-quality filmmakers in television, setting the stage for Alex Garland, Park Chan-wook​​​​​​, Guy Ritchie, and others to do the same.

Mindhunter TV Poster

Mindhunter Was The Only Crime Show That Could Rival True Detective Season 1

Both Series Earned Acclaim For Their Philosophical Depth and Character Focus

There aren’t many TV shows that live up toTrue Detective, butMindhunteris one of them. Honestly, I think if it had the A-list marquee that HBO’s show had, it would be considered on the same level, if not better. That isn’t to say thatMindhunter’scast is inferior in any way, but to illustrate that the narrative often favors A-listers.

Jonathan Goff and Holt McCallany make for an equally compelling odd couple as Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, with writing quality that offers the same degree of psychological complexity. This refers to both the leading characters and the fascinating subjects in their investigations, including infamous real-world serial killers like Charles Manson.

Everyone Who Watched True Detective Should Check Out Mindhunter

Both Shows Emphasize Psychological Tension and Character Study Over Standard Procedural Thrills

Mindhunterhas a reputation for being canceled prematurely, but that’s not to say it isn’t worth watching. There is, of course, still hope that David Fincher could return to the series, but in the meantime, I believe seasons 1 and 2 offer a fulfilling story on their own.

If you loveTrue Detectiveas much as I do, I’m fairly certainMindhunteris going to be up your alley. There aren’t many shows that can really live up to HBO’s crime masterpiece, particularly that first season, butMindhuntermanages to do so, and will open the door to something new as well.

True Detective

Cast

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.

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.