There’s no doubt that, over the last few years, television has surpassed the movie industry in terms of creativity and quality (just take a look at this year’s Golden Globe awards). Apart from the fact that many scriptwriters and filmmakers have made the move to the silver screen, there’s also a bigger focus on this format because, nowadays, with all the streaming technology, people are consuming more television than ever on their phones and computers.
Originality and production also play a huge role in this phenomenon, and the massive number of really interesting and well-crafted series that are released every year is astounding. So, if you’re one of those people who can’t stop re-watching Friends, Game of Thrones, Sex and the City, or How I Met Your Mother, you should really give these new amazing series from 2018 a chance.
Killing Eve (BBC America)
Sandra Oh has been rightfully recognized for her performance as Eve, an MI5 agent who’s determined to track down a psychopathic assassin by the name of Villanelle. The two women grow increasingly obsessed with each other throughout a very entertaining eight-episode season that will leave you on the edge of your seat.
The Romanoffs (Amazon Video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2qWLttWvYI
If you don’t like committing to a series because you don’t have the time to watch it all, this is the perfect one for you. Created by Matthew Weiner (Mad Men and The Sopranos), this anthology series consists of eight different stories that are related in various ways to the famous Romanov family. Each episode runs for over an hour, so it will make you feel like you’re actually watching a short film. A really cool project that’ll satisfy even the most demanding of film buffs.
American Horror Story: Apocalypse (FX)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3vVolZcisE
Technically, this isn’t a new series because it’s the eighth season of American Horror Story, but as you might know, each season tells a different story, so you don’t necessarily have to watch the previous ones. This season in particular was special because it did have some elements and characters from older seasons. However, it also worked by itself. Also, wouldn’t you like to see a really hot Antichrist and how he managed to end humanity?
Maniac (Netflix)
Bringing Emma Stone and Jonah Hill back together for a project, Maniac tells the story of two people with mental disorders who meet as part of a pharmaceutical experiment that claims it can fix any issue in the mind. Of course, things don’t go as expected, and it puts them both in a very difficult situation.
The Haunting of Hill House (Netflix)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9OzG53VwIk
Hailed as one of the scariest stories ever written, this new adaptation of Shirley Jackson’s homonymous novel takes psychological horror to the extreme. While the novel explored the haunting of the actual house, this series twists things a little bit by showing us that it’s the people inhabiting who are cursed.
The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story (FX)
In this new season of the critically-acclaimed American Crime Story anthology, we get to explore the life and murders of Andrew Cunanan, whose last victim was none other than the iconic fashion designer Gianni Versace. With impressive performances by Darren Chriss (Cunanan), Penelope Cruz (Donatella Versace), Ricky Martin (Antonio D’Amico, Versace’s partner), and Édgar Ramírez (Gianni Versace), this season was full of glamour and blood.
Sharp Objects (HBO)
Adapted from Gillian Flynn’s novel, Sharp Objects tells the story of Camille Preaker, a troubled journalist who goes back to her hometown in Missouri to investigate some local femicides. Apart from the gruesome murders, Camille will have to face something worse: the ghost of her past and the hell that awaits her when she meets her family again.
Pose (FX)
Also by Ryan Murphy (creator of American Horror Story and American Crime Story), Pose is set in the Harlem ball scene of the late eighties. The series shows the different cultural realities of New York at the time, focusing on the African-Americans, Latinos, and the queer community as a whole. With what is probably the largest trans cast ever in the history of television and cinema, this series is definitely something we all need to watch.
Homecoming (Amazon Video)
Adapted from one of the most popular podcasts on the internet, this series starring Julia Robers tells the story of a supervisor at a facility in charge of rehabilitating soldiers with PTSD. This series with ten episodes of thirty minutes each is definitely one of those heartwarming stories you can watch in one sitting.
Barry (HBO)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6TZdk1t8Zo
The winner of several awards, Barry is the story of Barry Berkman, a down-and-out former Marine who decides to travel to Los Angeles to kill someone. However, along his trip, he discovers a new passion for acting, but the ghosts of his past keep coming after him.
Escape at Dannemora (Showtime)
Patricia Arquette was just awarded a Golden Globe for her role in this series as Tilly, a prison employee who helps two dangerous convicted murderers (played by Benicio del Toro and Paul Dano) escape.
The Kominsky Method (Netflix)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjuOTlf5Jb0
Michael Douglas plays a former Hollywood star who now works as one of the most revered acting coaches of the industry. Douglas was also recognized for his work in this year’s Golden Globes, and honestly, it’s a very touching story about aging, success, and goals.
A Very English Scandal (Amazon)
With British icon Hugh Grant and the amazing Ben Whishaw, this mini-series tells the real story of Jeremy Thrope, a Liberal Party leader and the scandalous affair he had with his lover, Norman Scott, in the seventies.
Narcos: Mexico (Netflix)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBLcYJ7C4F0
Among the many (seriously, so many) series and movies about narcos in Latin America, this spinoff or companion series to the original Narcos is actually quite good. The series focuses on the rise of the Guadalajara Cartel led by Féliz Gallardo. Starring Diego Luna as Gallardo and Tenoch Huerta as Rafael Caro Quintero, this series really explores how these criminal organizations have managed to rule not only a country but the entire continent.
Last year was great for television, and these new projects show that there’s still much more ahead. So, let’s binge watch these series and wait for the gems that this year will surely bring.
***
Write for us!
Do you have an idea for an article like this? Are you an expert on movies and series? Do you have a story to tell? Read our submissions guidelines and send us a 500-word article to storyteller@culturacolectiva.com
***
Here are other series and films you really can’t miss:
The Best Series About Serial Killers You Can Watch On Netflix
Once Again ‘Black Mirror’ Raises The Bar With Its New Interactive Episode
Why The Characters In “La Casa De Papel” Are Feminist Icons
***