10 The Bequeathed – South Korea
After the death of an unknown uncle, a woman inherits a burial ground and finds herself in the centre of a string of murders and dark secrets.
Like most South Korean thrillers, this one can get a little crazy and, to be honest, I was really on the fence partway through, but this one really comes together in the end with a wild final twist.
9 The Asunta Case – Spain
After two parents report that their 12-year-old daughter Asunta is missing, the investigation soon turns against them.
I’m not usually a fan of “based on a true crime” shows, but this one was pretty gripping and the case lingered with me long after the closing credits.
8 Only Murders in the Building (season 4) – United States
Three strangers share an obsession with true crime and suddenly find themselves wrapped up in one.
I know, I know. It can be silly, over-the-top and, at times, a little nonsensical, but Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez are an absolute blast to watch in this rapid-fire crime-comedy.
7 Crooks (season 1) – Germany
Charly’s quiet family life in Berlin is disrupted when he is tasked with steaing a valuablel coin. When things go wrong,, Charly must join forces with a driver named Joseph to save his wife and son.
It’s a 4 Blocks reunion in this admittedly flawed but incredibly fun caper series headlined by its two colorful leads.
6 Tokyo Swindlers – Japan
This series avoids the over-the-top silliness of many Japanese crime shows and delivers a straight, edge-of-your-seat heist story…centered on the real estate market no less! Compulsively watchable.
5 Who Killed Him?
Recounts the events surrounding the murder of television host Paco Stanley, telling the story before and after one of the most media events of the late 90s.
I found this dramatization of the murder of a popular Mexican t.v. host well-told and incredibly compelling.
4 Squid Game (season 2) – South Korea
Set three years after the first season, the story focuses on Seong Gi-hun‘s life after winning the Squid Game, giving up on going to the United States and returning to the games with a new resolution in mind.
I honestly didn’t think they could pull it off, but they did, striking a perfect balance between the comfort of a familiar story foundation and the thrill of new narrative elements. I dock it a spot for only giving us what amounts to half a season.
3 Women in Blue (season 1 ) – Mexico
Follows four women who join Mexico’s first female police force. They will defy the ultra-conservative norms of the time only to discover that their squad is a publicity stunt to distract the media from a brutal serial killer.
This one was this year’s biggest surprise, a feminist story that eschews heavy-handed messaging in favor of wonderful characters and an engaging and provocative storyline.
2 Slow Horses (season 4) – United Kingdom
A dysfunctional team of MI5 agents and their obnoxious boss, the notorious Jackson Lamb, navigate the espionage world’s smoke and mirrors to defend England from sinister forces.
I’m not a huge fan of espionage shows but this one is an absolute standout, a perfect mix of character drama, suspense, and humor.
The Diplomat (season 2) – United States
Amid an international crisis, a career diplomat juggles her new high-profile job as ambassador to the United Kingdom and her turbulent marriage to a political star.
Yes, a crime on the international stage is the event that kicks things off in the pilot episode and this is politics, so activities both criminal and unethical abound in this brilliant series I binged over the course of two days.
Honorable Mentions: The Believers (Thailand), Say Nothing (U.S.), The Absent Voice (Argentina), Past Lies (Spain), Deception (Finland), The Law According to Lidia Poet season 2 (Italy), Pyramid Game (South Korea), A Shop for Killers (South Korea), Wisting season 5 (Norway).
So, which of your favorites failed to make my list?
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