Severance to Dark Matter: Apple TV Thriller Picks

From corporate dread in “Severance” to time-bending danger in “Dark Matter,” here are eight of the best thriller series on Apple TV, ranked.

The best thrillers on Apple TV don’t just pull you in—they keep tightening the grip.

One minute you’re watching a corporate experiment that turns your workday into a nightmare. The next. you’re dropped into an alternate reality where the “you” from another universe might be the one destroying your life. Then there are spy missions that feel like they run on exhaustion. true-crime bargains that push people to the edge. and dystopian worlds where survival depends on what’s being kept secret.

Here are eight of the greatest thriller shows you can watch right now on Apple TV, ranked.

8. ‘Dark Matter’ (2024–Present)

A sci-fi drama thriller created by Blake Crouch and adapted from his 2016 novel, ‘Dark Matter’ follows physicist Jason (Joel Edgerton). He’s suddenly thrown into an alternate reality where he finds a version of himself living a completely different life. That alternate Jason forces the situation into motion—Jason is then forced to embark on a harrowing journey through time. space. and possibilities. trying to stop his other self from destroying his original life.

The series also stars Jennifer Connelly, Alice Braga, Jimmi Simpson, Dayo Okeniyi, and Oakes Fegley.

Well received by genre fans and critics, the show has earned particular praise for its visual effects, intriguing concept, storytelling, and the strong performances of Edgerton and Connelly.

7. ‘Silo’ (2023–Present)

Created by Graham Yost and based on Hugh Howey’s bestselling trilogy of novels—‘Wool,’ ‘Shift,’ and ‘Dust’—‘Silo’ is set in a post-apocalyptic future where a community of humans lives in a massive underground silo under strict regulations.

The story follows Juliette Nichols (Rebecca Ferguson), an engineer who breaks out to discover the reality that lies outside their knowledge.

The ensemble cast includes Rashida Jones, David Oyelowo, Common, Tim Robbins, Avi Nash, and Steve Zahn.

‘Silo’ premiered in 2023 to critical acclaim. Fans and reviewers praised its striking production design and awe-inspiring effects that rival some of the greatest sci-fi films. With social, political, crime, and conspiracy thriller elements, the series also threads in a little end-of-the-world romance. Two successful seasons have followed. with ‘Silo’ winning accolades for its effects. visual and costume design. and music—though it’s still described as relatively underrated.

6. ‘Black Bird’ (2022)

Developed by Dennis Lehane, ‘Black Bird’ is a dramatized retelling of James Keene’s autobiographical novel ‘In with the Devil: A Fallen Hero, a Serial Killer, and a Dangerous Bargain for Redemption.’

The true-crime drama miniseries stars Taron Egerton as Jimmy Keene. He’s facing a 10-year prison sentence and receives an offer he can’t refuse: a fully commuted sentence in exchange for extracting a confession from suspected serial killer Larry Hall (Paul Walter Hauser).

Other cast members include Sepideh Moafi and Greg Kinnear, with the late Ray Liotta in his final television role before his death in 2022.

Praised as a gritty and absorbing true crime thriller. ‘Black Bird’ is described as methodically crafted and character-driven. with morally complex protagonists. The series earned critical acclaim at the time of its premiere for its powerful story and compelling performances. Egerton and Hauser have been widely praised for their respective roles. and the show highlights awards and honors including a Primetime Emmy and Golden Globe for Hauser. plus praise for Liotta’s portrayal of a troubled father.

5. ‘The Shrink Next Door’ (2021)

‘The Shrink Next Door’ is a psychological black comedy miniseries developed by Georgia Pritchett. It stars Paul Rudd and Will Ferrell and is based on Joe Nocera’s eponymous podcast.

Set in the 1980s, the series follows Dr. Isaac “Ike” Herschkopf (Rudd). a charming. seemingly helpful psychiatrist. who inserts himself into the life of longtime patient Martin “Marty” Markowitz (Ferrell). Marty is suffering from anxiety and grief after his parents’ deaths. Over the years, Ike exercises ever greater control over Marty’s life—leading to dangerous consequences.

Though it received mixed reviews at the time of its release, it earned praise for Rudd and Ferrell’s infectious chemistry and strategic use of era-specific music.

The show takes a darkly humorous look at the therapist-patient equation, covering dependency, boundaries, emotional exploitation, and toxic friendships. It’s anchored by Rudd and Ferrell as the abuser and the abused. and the miniseries is described as thoroughly engaging and suspenseful. with several hilarious situations tied to their toxic relationship dynamics.

4. ‘Bad Sisters’ (2022–Present)

Based on the Flemish-language television series ‘Clan,’ ‘Bad Sisters’ is an Irish black comedy developed by Sharon Horgan, Dave Finkel, and Brett Baer.

The series follows the five Garvey sisters: Eva (Sharon Horgan), Grace (Anna-Marie Duff), Ursula (Eva Birthistle), Bibi (Sarah Greene), and Becka (Eve Hewson).

When Grace’s manipulative husband, John Paul (Claes Bang), suddenly dies, the sisters are suspected of foul play by two relentless insurance investigators. Supporting roles include Daryl McCormack, Brian Gleeson, and Fiona Shaw.

First released in 2022, ‘Bad Sisters’ has received critical and audience acclaim with two successful seasons. It’s praised for ensemble performances and an empathetic narrative, combining family drama, murder mystery, and crime thriller elements. It’s also compared to television classics like ‘Desperate Housewives. ’ with one side of the story leaning into sisterhood and bonding and the other turning the sisters’ attempts to protect themselves and each other into riotous dark comedy.

3. ‘Slow Horses’ (2022–Present)

Adapted from Mick Herron’s ‘Slough House’ novel series, ‘Slow Horses’ is a British spy thriller show created by William James Smith.

It follows a group of MI5 agents who don’t qualify as elite spies and are therefore confined to the department of rejects. aka Slough House. Under the supervision of their disgruntled senior agent. Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman). the team tries to cope with the drudgery of boring desk jobs—until a new agent discovers a national threat that pulls the team together to prove their worth.

The series stars Jack Lowden, Kristin Scott Thomas, Sophie Okonedo, Jonathan Pryce, Saskia Reeves, Rosalind Eleazar, and Christopher Chung in prominent roles.

‘Slow Horses’ puts a contemporary spin on classic espionage storytelling, with fast-paced action and high tension. Critics and viewers have praised its refreshing espionage narrative and the raw, sincere depiction of intelligence agents. The show has earned a lot of acclaim—and several awards—for story. direction. and Mick Jagger’s music. along with Oldman’s depiction of cantankerous Jackson Lamb. positioned as a new benchmark for spies.

2. ‘Shining Girls’ (2022)

Starring Elisabeth Moss, ‘Shining Girls’ follows Kirby, a newspaper archivist at the Chicago Sun-Times. After surviving a brutal attack by an unknown assailant, Kirby starts shifting between realities.

When Kirby discovers a new murder with a striking resemblance to her attack, she sets out to find her attacker with help from fellow reporter Dan (Wagner Moura). In doing so, she uncovers a decades-spanning series of murder cases.

Other key characters include Phillipa Soo, Chris Chalk, Amy Brenneman, and Jamie Bell.

The series is based on the novel by Lauren Beukes, but it deviates from the original material by approaching the story from the POV of a single victim, rather than multiple perspectives as in the book.

‘Shining Girls’ has earned critical acclaim for Moss’s performance as a woman living in warped realities and Moura’s delivery as a sincere journalist struggling with his own demons. It’s described as a sci-fi thriller drawing inspiration from classic science fiction and crime thriller tropes. joining the ranks of ‘Dark. ’ ‘The OA. ’ and more.

1. ‘Severance’ (2022–Present)

Created by Dan Erickson and directed and produced by Ben Stiller, ‘Severance’ is a sci-fi psychological thriller series that follows employees at Lumon Industries, a high-end biotech corporation.

Lumon uses a medical procedure to split the personal and professional identities and consciousness of its employees. The company’s “perfect system” is thrown off when one employee discovers a sinister conspiracy.

The show stars Adam Scott, Patricia Arquette, Zach Cherry, Tramell Tillman, Britt Lower, John Turturro, and Christopher Walken in the lead roles.

Since its premiere in 2022, ‘Severance’ has earned high acclaim for its story, direction, production design, and music. It combines sci-fi and mystery elements to deliver a refreshing take on the “misery of the corporate grind. ” along with an intense exploration of how far people would go to achieve the perfect work-life balance.

Critics and audiences have praised the cast performances—especially those by Scott, Arquette, Turturro, and Walken—which have earned Primetime Emmy Award nominations. Lower and Tillman each have won an Emmy for their outstanding supporting roles.

Apple TV Apple TV+ thrillers Severance Dark Matter Silo Black Bird The Shrink Next Door Bad Sisters Slow Horses Shining Girls