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Like any other, this year presented a lot of serial content. There were both pleasant surprises and novelties that did not meet expectations (for example, this one, or this one). We have collected ten successful multi-genre series of 2023, which were equally liked by both the viewing audience and the reviewers of media publications (including ITC).
Book adaptations account for a significant share, and, for example, from the ubiquitous film comics, there is only one manga adaptation. Note that only new projects were taken into account, so the second, third or tenth seasons of various shows are not provided. As always, we suggest adding to the list and arguing why this or that series deserves to be mentioned.
Genre: post-apocalyptic drama, horror
IMDb rating: 8.8
Release: NGO
Where to watch: My
The world suffered a pandemic of the parasitic fungus Cordyceps, and in the chaos of the apocalypse, a simple builder Joel lost his daughter. Now he has become a smuggler forced to survive in a harsh post-apocalyptic reality. Despite his reluctance to undertake an extremely dubious mission, the man agrees to deliver 14-year-old Ellie at the request of the leader of the Boston resistance movement Marlin to a safe place. This trip will change both of their lives forever.
“One of Us” is a screen adaptation of the cult toy The Last of Us, but in the eyes of the public far from the gaming industry, it is a rare film adaptation of a video game that could. On the shoulders of the creators of the show, in particular, Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann, there was a huge responsibility, despite the fact that before the premiere there were a lot of skeptical statements in the newsroom. But the creation from NVO became a real hit, rightfully received universal recognition and numerous nominations for various film awards, including the “Emmy”.
The second season is already in development, but its release should not be expected too soon.
Genre: comedy detective
IMDb rating: 7.9
Release: Peacock
After the ordinary casino waitress Charlie Cale crossed the path of the vengeful owner of the establishment, and the mysterious death of her friend Natalie happened, the unfortunate person had to quickly flee the city and hide from the thug sent to her soul. During her journey through one-story America, the heroine will encounter a wave of hypocrisy and injustice, so she will make it a habit to bring criminals to justice. Especially since she is quite good at it.
“Pokerface”, a project from the director of “Knives” Rian Johnson, although it looks like a detective trinket in the style of howcathem, in fact turned out to be an extremely interesting exercise in the genre. This project was not compared with the famous “Colombo” except for those who do not know the name Peter Falk, but at the same time it is too obvious that it does not even encroach on the laurels of the legendary TV show “Pokerface”. The likability of the main character lies precisely in her unlikability: be sure that this insightful aunt with a cigarette in her teeth will definitely get the truth.
Genre: dramedy
IMDb rating: 8
Where to see: Apple TV+
When psychotherapist Jimmy Laird lost his wife, life seemed to lose its meaning. The relationship with the teenage daughter Alice has finally deteriorated, and the beloved job no longer brings joy. How can Jimmy help his patients if he needs help himself? Probably, those around will help to cope with the grief, in particular, the neighboring married couple Liz and Derek, colleagues Gaby and Paul Rhodes, best friend Brian and even their own patients. But until Jimmy himself wants to put his life in order, no one will do it for him.
The hit “Therapy” from Apple TV+ really has a psychotherapeutic effect that we all need so much these days. This is a kind of “Ted Lasso” from psychotherapy and from replacing the soccer ball with a cozy couch, the effect on the viewer does not change. This is just as infinitely good, emotionally charged and inspired show that warms the soul. This is helped by a wonderful cast with a melancholic Jason Segel and the incomparable Harrison Ford at the helm.
Genre: crime biographical drama, thriller
IMDb rating: 7.5
Release: Swing
Where to watch: My
Until a certain time, an exemplary housewife from a small provincial town in Texas, Candy Montgomery, lived for herself and did not know grief until she wanted a variety. Later, this desire will translate into romantic meetings with the husband of her friend Betty Gore – Allan. This side affair will lead to disastrous consequences, namely Betty’s death due to task 41 ax blow. But the most amazing thing in this terrible story will be that the person accused of murdering Candy will be acquitted in court.
The plot of the series is based on real events that logically caused a resonance in society. But the creators do not try to justify the events of the main character, but shoot their own version of events. And it turns out surprisingly well for them: despite the slump in the middle of the season, “Love and Death” firmly holds attention and fully justifies belonging to the thriller genre. The tense atmosphere is reinforced by the powerful performance of Elizabeth Olsen, whose character is capable of causing real cognitive dissonance.
Genre: science fiction drama, dystopia
IMDb rating: 8.1
Where to see: Apple TV+
In the future, after a mysterious global catastrophe, the remains of humanity will sit in a multi-level bunker. The air outside is poisoned, so leaving the shelter will surely mean death. Such a fate awaits violators of strict rules, and one of them is the wife of the local sheriff. The latter also decides to leave, but before the so-called “purge”, he transfers his powers to engineer Juliet Nichols. She has to find out what the secret of the bunker is.
Based on Hugh Howey’s Silo series of books, this series is another unqualified hit of 2023, acclaimed by audiences and praised by critics. Not surprisingly, it was renewed for a second season even before the end of the first. From the point of view of the dystopia genre “Shelter”, there is nothing new to offer, except it is worth noting that the local state system strongly resembles a scoop. But as a tense and essentially airtight thriller with plenty of mystery, the story works just fine.
In addition, the project is in the running for the Saturn Award in three categories, including Best Science Fiction Series.
Genre: thriller
IMDb rating: 7.4
Where to see: Apple TV+
Flight KA29 went from Dubai to London on a daily basis. One of the passengers is a corporate negotiator, Sam Nelson, who plans to mend his relationship with his wife. However, the plane is hijacked by armed terrorists, so Sam is forced to rely on his professional skills to prevent something irreparable from happening on board. It will be a very long and difficult flight for all involved.
“Captured Flight” is a high-quality, full of interesting twists, which tries in every possible way to surprise the thriller. Given that we have an original script here, it is expensive. Despite a solid share of dubious and unlikely, and sometimes laughable moments, the plot is very intriguing and does not let go until the final credits.
Adds tension and the realization of the concept of “storytelling in real time”: 7 hours of flight = 7 episodes, which definitely have something to offer the viewer. And let’s not forget about the signature charm of Idris Elba.
Genre: drama
IMDb rating: 7.4
Where to see: Netflix
When Richard Sackler, the nephew of the company’s late founder Arthur Sackler, took control of the pharmaceutical giant Purdue Pharma, a revolutionary new pain reliever, OxyContin, was launched. From the position of the manufacturer, it was emphasized that this drug is absolutely safe. But in practice everything was different. In the blink of an eye, ordinary Americans became victims of the opioid epidemic, which has reached catastrophic proportions.
This sad tale of runaway capitalism is based on The New Yorker article: “The Family That Built an Empire of Pain” by Patrick Redden Keefe and the non-fiction “Pain Killer: The Empire of Deception and the Origins of America’s Opioid Epidemic” by Barry Meyer. There, the author compared the power of OxyContin to nuclear weapons, which already sounds quite telling. Overall, “Painkiller” is an exciting drama with great acting and a visual instruction on how to get rich from the genocide of your own countrymen.
Genre: action adventure
IMDb rating: 8.4
Where to see: Netflix
A boy named Monkey D. Luffy plans to become the king of the pirates, but for this he needs to get the treasure “Van Piece”. The young man sets out on a dangerous journey, but to begin with he should at least buy a loyal crew and a decent ship. And this is not to mention the competitors who also dream of taking possession of the legendary treasure.
It may have been hard to believe before the series hit the screens, but Netflix has really succeeded in adapting Eiichiro Oda’s cult manga into a video game format. This is what happens when you treat the original source with due respect and take responsibility – a real hit, get it and sign it.
As a result, “One Piece” deserves the attention of both fans of this universe and viewers who are far from manga or anime. It’s not for nothing that the streaming giant plans to build on its success and announced its intention to continue the show after the release of the first season.
Genre: gothic horror
IMDb rating: 8
Where to see: Netflix
When the CEO of the pharmaceutical company Fortunato Pharmaceuticals, Roderick Asher, is left without descendants who died not their own deaths, one more mysterious than the other, he is visited by assistant prosecutor Auguste Dupin. Asher confesses and confesses to his crimes, telling a dark story that is hard to believe. The key role in this story is assigned to a mysterious stranger named Verna.
Mike Flanagan concludes his fruitful collaboration with Netflix with a triumphant appeal to the literary legacy of Edgar Allan Poe. The story of the same name is only the tip of the iceberg, because the creators often draw inspiration from other well-known works of the writer. “The Fall” gradually envelops its disturbing mystical atmosphere, characteristic of Poe’s works, and looks like a stylish macabre Halloween party. Caution, fatalities are possible.
Genre: drama
IMDb rating: 8.3
Where to see: Apple TV+
In the late 1950s, a young chemical analysis laboratory assistant, Elizabeth Zott, is forced to prepare coffee instead of working on scientific research. Everything changes after a meeting with the genius Calvin Evans – a candidate for the Nobel Prize and just a good guy. But real challenges await the heroine ahead: among other things, fate throws her on television, where Zott will host a super popular cooking show for housewives.
The plot of “Chemistry Lessons” is based on the debut novel by Bonnie Harmus, and to characterize this relatively recent project, I will allow myself to quote:
“The undoubted success of the authors of the show was that they presented not a primitive poster campaign, but above all an interesting, exciting and sensual story capable of inspiring.”
If anyone is interested, the recipes of the heroine of the show are here.
Genre: fantastic nonsense
IMDb rating: 7.3
Release: Peacock
As a bonus, I really want to mention this interesting project, which turned out to be a big surprise.
According to the plot, the nun Simone is wary of modern technology, in particular the artificial intelligence of Mrs. Davis, which (what?) seems to have already taken over the whole world, and without firing a single shot. But the circumstances force the heroine to make a deal with the hated AI, as a result of which Simone undertakes to find and destroy the Holy Grail, and Mrs. Davis to self-destruct.
“Mrs. Davis” found a place here precisely because of its distinct uniqueness and dissimilarity to everything that came out in 2023. This is an absolutely wild, whimsical, extremely eclectic and absurd satire, which is quite capable of surprising. However, it must be admitted that not everyone will like this dish.
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