10 TV Series Darker Than Game Of Thrones

2022-09-24 06:27:21 By : Mr. Gavin Song

Game of Thrones explores darkness and depravity, and it isn't the only series to do so.

Game of Thrones is renowned for its adult themes and disturbing scenes that enthralled and shocked fans throughout its eight-season run. Following the end of Game of Thrones, many fans are seeking shows that fill the gap that Game of Thrones left. There are a lot of series out there that are as dark, perhaps darker still, as some creep into horror territory.

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The difference between other series and Game of Thrones is the theme. Game of Thrones explores the fantastical and magical, whereas other series may be more grounded in reality, or go into ghosts, the supernatural, and horror. Game of Thrones is also not usually scary, but deeper darkness can be.

The main character of You, Joe Goldberg, narrates his journey and the series' events. And so, viewers get a firsthand perspective of the inner workings of a serial killer. The way Joe attempts to rationalize his every thought makes viewers like him on some level, and Joe is charming. He has to be, as he needs to get people close enough to him to strike.

You is incredibly dark because of how it draws viewers in, but keeps a great distance at the same time to maintain the mystery. Fans catch only what Joe wants them to see as he stalks and draws in his victims.

Hannibal is a psychological horror series named after novelist Thomas Harris' character, Hannibal Lecter. Will Graham invites Hannibal into an FBI case hunting a serial killer. Lecter is a forensic psychiatrist, serial killer, and cannibal who, through his work with Graham, attempts to conceal his own identity while bringing down the case against him.

The darkness of this series is in Hannibal's total apathy and the bond between Graham and Lecter and how it develops. There are stunning visuals, and the series is unique in every way.

Sarah Paulson brings Nurse Mildred to life in the Netflix series Ratched. Fans are truly transported to a different time as the psychological thriller is set in 1940s California. Mildred is quick as a whip, cunning and brilliant, and she manages to get a nursing job at a psychiatric hospital.

The tale is full of mystery and terror, as horrible experiments are performed on patients, and a hidden plot unfolds before the viewer's eyes. True darkness is in the mental health system of the time, and Mildred peels back the layers to discover what is far worse than she could've imagined.

Salem dives into the supernatural and looks at the historical and renowned 17th-century Salem witch trials. The show ran for three seasons. There is horror and Gothic romance, as an alternative version of events uncovers around the historical trials. Like Game of Thrones, the series is not for a younger audience, as it depicts a realistic-appearing version of terrible events.

Viewers consider Salem a must-watch due to the acting performances, writing, and high intensity. The series is a fantastic and dark exploration of witchcraft, fantasy, and history combined.

The Haunting of Hill House is another supernatural horror series, but this time it is about the paranormal. The series is also filled with horror and drama, and the plot alternates between two timelines. The Haunting of Hill House keeps viewers on their toes as it flicks between a house in the present day and 1992.

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There is fear, tragic loss and darker forces at work as the mansion infects two different families 26 years apart. The Haunting of Hill House is mysterious and thrilling, with dark consequences.

Second in The Haunting anthology series is The Haunting of Bly Manor. The series follows similar themes to The Haunting of Hill House, except it dives more into gothic romance. The nonlinear narrative of The Haunting of Bly Manor makes for a nail-biting watch, as it is very unclear what will happen next.

The show is very well-crafted and builds up to terror rather than using the typical jump-scare tactics. Unlike The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor goes on a more psychological path, but it is still able to frighten viewers. There is compelling and beautiful character development and the blossoming of a true love story.

Penny Dreadful only aired for three seasons, but it became immensely popular in a short time. The title refers to a kind of 19th-century British fiction that relied upon cheap sensationalism. The series draws on this and uses well-known 19th-century fictional characters such as Van Helsing, Dr. Henry Jekyll, and Dracula.

Penny Dreadful is jam-packed with mystery and dark fantasy, as the characters embroil with famous figures from classic literature. It is a bizarre plot with a strange atmosphere, which has become addictive for fans.

The Walking Dead has spent 11 seasons exploring a post-apocalyptic world that many people greatly fear. The series dives into the horror that would befall humankind if there were an apocalypse.

The Walking Dead has maintained popularity due to its complex and clever characters who overcome immense adversity. The dark side of The Walking Dead is that many people believe it could come true, and the reality of that is terrifying. There is so much fear of not just the walkers, but of the survivors, too.

Walter White became a villain of his own making in Breaking Bad. He begins his journey attempting to make enough money to go through chemotherapy. Walter wants to be able to support his family, but he takes his (eventual large-scale) meth operation way too far. There is so much needless death, and Walter sees his own demise play out before his eyes.

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Breaking Bad may be considered darker than Game of Thrones due to its real-life theme of medical struggle. Most people don't go down the meth route, but the show reflects people's desperation and need. The series is darker for some as Game of Thrones explores fantasy, whereas Breaking Bad explores a potential reality.

American Horror Story is a dark and twisted series that is both feared and loved by fans. It is an anthology series, and the characters, setting, and story change every season. However, there are connections between each one, and fans are left in total suspense as to how they will all end up interlocking.

American Horror Story explores every theme in the book and features incredible cameos from stars such as Lady Gaga and Neil Patrick Harris. If Game of Thrones fans wish to be genuinely shaken to their core, American Horror Story is available to stream on Hulu or Apple TV.

Madeleine Arnott grew up watching superhero and fantasy films and loves all things fantastical and magical. Madeleine has a degree in English and a masters in Journalism from the University of Lincoln. She is now a freelance journalist and List Writer for CBR.

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