American suspense dramas are renowned for their meticulous storytelling, bold narratives, and mind-bending plots that consistently surprise audiences. Here’s a curated list of the top 10 highest-rated suspenseful American TV series from the past 5 years (2020-2024), each boasting over 20,000 ratings on Douban, a popular Chinese review platform.
Top 10 Suspenseful American TV Series (2020-2024)
10. Wednesday (2022)
Rating/Number of Ratings: 7.8/140,000+
“Wednesday,” a gothic dark fantasy series released by Netflix in 2022, is an adaptation of Charles Addams’ classic comic, “The Addams Family.” It quickly became one of the most talked-about American dramas of the year, especially known for its viral zombie dance scene.
Visually, the series masterfully showcases gothic aesthetics. Director Tim Burton, known for his work on films like “Edward Scissorhands” and “Corpse Bride,” brings his signature eerie and fantastical atmosphere to every frame. The Nevermore Academy’s gothic architecture, with its somber tones, towering spires, and mysterious corridors, transports viewers to a world of mystery and the unknown.
The protagonist, Wednesday, with her iconic black dress, pale skin, and deep, penetrating eyes, exudes an aura of mystery. Beneath her gothic exterior lies an anti-social demeanor and unconventional behavior, perfectly embodying the gothic culture’s fascination with darkness, mystery, and the macabre.
The plot, set against the backdrop of Nevermore Academy, blends suspense, fantasy, and coming-of-age elements to create a rich and engaging narrative. The mysterious student murders within the academy drive the central suspense, with Wednesday’s investigation leading to numerous twists and turns.
If you enjoy dark academia and supernatural mystery themes, “Wednesday” is definitely worth watching (and re-watching).
9. The Undoing (2020)
Rating/Number of Ratings: 7.9/42,000+
“The Undoing,” a psychological suspense limited series produced by HBO in 2020, is based on Jean Hanff Korelitz’s novel “You Should Have Known.” It stars Hollywood A-listers Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant.
The story unfolds from the perspective of Grace (Kidman), a successful psychotherapist in New York. Her husband, Jonathan (Grant), is a respected pediatric oncologist. They live in a luxurious apartment, enjoying a privileged lifestyle and enviable social status. Their life appears perfect, but a sudden murder shatters the facade of their seemingly harmonious family. Elena, a fellow parent at their son’s school, is brutally killed. As the investigation deepens, Jonathan becomes the prime suspect, and his sudden disappearance throws the entire situation into chaos, causing Grace’s stable world to crumble.
Grace initially believes in her husband’s innocence but gradually uncovers his lies: falsified credentials, mounting debts, dismissal from the hospital, and even a possible history of violence. Ultimately, she uses a ring to confirm his guilt and personally ensures he is brought to justice.
Presented as a 6-episode miniseries, “The Undoing” maintains a tight pace, focusing on psychological intrigue and logical deduction rather than excessive violence. Viewers follow Grace as she uncovers the truth, experiencing the psychological impact of denial and eventual awakening. The immersive viewing experience is exceptionally compelling.
8. Poker Face Season 1 (2023)
Rating/Number of Ratings: 7.9/30,000+
“Poker Face,” created by Rian Johnson (director of “Knives Out” and “3 Body Problem”), is a retro-style mystery series presented in an episodic format, with each episode featuring a self-contained case and a brisk pace
The story revolves around Charlie’s unique ability: she’s a human lie detector. Whether in face-to-face conversations or eavesdropping on phone calls and TV broadcasts, she can accurately discern whether someone is lying. This superpower makes her a formidable force in casinos, but it also earns her the ire of the casino owner. After exposing the casino owner Sterling’s murder, she becomes a target and flees across America in her beat-up car, inadvertently becoming a “North American Conan,” encountering crimes in various locations and transforming into a “folk detective.”
The protagonist is the show’s biggest highlight. Charlie subverts the traditional detective image; she’s outwardly unremarkable, with messy hair, a gravelly voice, a somewhat listless demeanor, and a penchant for smoking and drinking. Seemingly carefree and casual, she’s actually intelligent, perceptive, and courageous. Her unique charm rivals that of traditional male detectives, injecting new energy into the mystery genre.
The plot is absurd and entertaining, touching on various communities and observing the human condition. Conspiracy theory radio stations, MAGA Dogs, washed-up rock bands, streaming podcasts, Texas barbecue, hippies, crime-ridden casinos… the show cleverly blends these traditional and contemporary elements, creating a refreshing experience.
7. Ratched (2020)
Rating/Number of Ratings: 8.1/26,000+
This psychological thriller, released by Netflix in 2020, serves as a prequel to the classic “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” delving into the origins and transformation of the character “Nurse” Ratched.
The story follows Nurse Mildred Ratched as she infiltrates Lucia State Hospital under a false identity, attempting to get close to serial killer Edmund Tolleson (her half-brother) and prevent his execution.
Ratched navigates the hospital’s treacherous environment, maneuvering against various factions. She must contend with the superintendent’s suspicion and challenges, manage the patients’ diverse conditions, and conceal her true motives. Ratched finds herself in a moral dilemma between saving her brother and satisfying her desire for control, ultimately transforming into the cold and ruthless “demon nurse.”
6. Westworld Season 3 (2020)
Rating/Number of Ratings: 8.1/86,000+
Based on Michael Crichton’s sci-fi film of the same name, this season, which aired on HBO in 2020, breaks free from the “Westworld” framework, expanding the story to a near-future reality. It focuses on the ultimate conflict between artificial intelligence and human society, exploring philosophical questions about free will and systemic control.
In the late 21st century, the human world is ruled by the super AI Rehoboam, which uses big data algorithms to predict and plan everyone’s destiny, creating a “freedomless” utopia.
The protagonist, Dolores, infiltrates the elite class as a human, recruiting arms dealer Liam Dempsey and manipulating the android body of business tycoon Engerraund Serac to gradually dismantle the Rehoboam system. She allies with veteran Caleb Nichols, revealing his “underclass life” deliberately designed by Rehoboam, and awakens his will to resist.
5. Moonflower Murders (2024)
Rating/Number of Ratings: 8.4/32,000
Adapted from British author Anthony Horowitz’s “Susan Ryeland” detective novel series, this is a sequel to “Magpie Murders.”
Former publisher editor Susan Ryeland is hired to investigate a murder, discovering that clues are hidden in a detective novel she handled eight years prior, “Atticus Pünd Takes a Case.”
The real case takes place in modern-day Suffolk, England, at the “Moonflower Manor Hotel.”
Billionaire Frank Parris is strangled to death on his daughter’s wedding night. Suspects include his wife, Eileen; his adopted son, Adam; and the hotel manager, Derek.
The novel is set in the fictional village of Medmenham in 1955, where wealthy Magnus Pye is poisoned to death at a dinner party. Detective Atticus Pünd discovers that all the guests are using aliases, and their true identities are linked to Nazi remnants from World War II.
The two cases form a mirror image across time.
Ultimately, Susan compares the manuscript to the published book, discovering that a key chapter has been altered. The real killer used the novel to mislead the investigation, ultimately revealing a shocking conspiracy within the case.
4. Shining Girls (2022)
Rating/Number of Ratings: 8.5/37,000+
This sci-fi mystery series, released by Apple TV+ in 2022, is based on the novel of the same name by South African author Lauren Beukes.
The story centers around Kirby, who survives a brutal attack by a mysterious assailant in 1986. She discovers that her life is constantly changing: her pet transforms from a cat to a dog, her desk location shifts, the medical examiner’s gender changes, and her apartment floor moves…
In 1992, Kirby works as an archivist at the Chicago Sun-Times. Her seemingly peaceful life is disrupted by a murder case. A woman’s body is found in the sewers, identified as Julia, who disappeared two years earlier. Kirby investigates and discovers a serial killing spanning two decades.
3. Calls (2021)
Rating/Number of Ratings: 8.7/31,000+
This experimental sci-fi mystery miniseries, released by Apple TV+ in 2021, is based on the French series of the same name.
This show is a work of genius. It abandons the traditional reliance on live-action visuals, instead weaving a thrilling and suspenseful fantasy world for viewers through audio, minimalist abstract visuals, and subtitles.
Each of the nine episodes, ranging from 12 to 20 minutes, presents a small sci-fi mystery story. Brief conversations between a few characters ultimately connect to form a complete worldview, with a satisfying circular narrative. Due to the short runtime, the concise and ingenious dialogue is packed with useful information, captivating and immersive.
2. Mare of Easttown (2021)
Rating/Number of Ratings: 8.8/170,000+
This crime mystery limited series, released by HBO in 2021, stars Kate Winslet, who also serves as a producer. With a 94% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it became an annual phenomenon. Individual episodes scored over 9 on IMDb, and Rolling Stone hailed it as “a masterpiece that makes murder secondary.” Kate Winslet won the 73rd Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for her outstanding performance.
The story takes place in a small town called “Easttown,” where Mare is a detective, juggling the roles of single mother, grandmother, and law enforcement officer. One day, a murder shatters the town’s tranquility. The body of a young mother named Erin is discovered on the riverbank. As the investigation progresses, Mare realizes that familiar faces and close friends may be suspects, making the case increasingly complex.
1. Severance (2022)
Rating/Number of Ratings: 9.1/150,000+
This sci-fi mystery series, released by Apple TV+ in 2022, achieved legendary status with a 98% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It garnered multiple Emmy Award nominations, including Best Drama Series and Best Directing, and has been renewed for a third season.
The series centers around “memory severance technology.” The “Severance” chip developed by Lumon Industries can divide employees’ brains into “work personas” and “life personas.” While at work, employees completely forget their outside lives, and after work, they have no knowledge of their work. This is marketed as a “work-life balance” solution.
Mark, Dylan, and Irving all undergo the severance procedure, only to discover that things are not as simple as they seem. The hidden dangers and problems of “memory severance technology” are gradually revealed.
Final Thoughts
Due to space limitations, this list only includes a small selection of excellent dramas. Feel free to share your recommendations!