October is just around the corner, and what is a better way to inaugurate the month than by watching some horror TV shows? Even though horror movies have always been winning the race of being the best at terrorizing people, in 2022, horror TV shows have been the talk of the town. After all, having episodic terror is completely different from its cinematic counterpart. Making a horror TV series without a doubt is far more challenging as each episode needs to be scary and compelling enough on its own, but it also needs to work as a collective narrative of the season. There is a huge variety in the horror genre, from cannibalism and zombies to self-referential slashers and demonic possession. Here are some of the best horror series of 2022, ranked.
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6 Evil (2019 - Present)
Paramount Global Content Distribution
Starting off the list with Paramount+’s supernatural drama, Evil. The show revolves around a psychologist played by Katja Herbers, who teams up with a priest that is still in training, played by Mike Colter, in order to unveil explanations for these ghostly supernatural occurrences happening within the church. What sets the show apart from the rest is its top-notch writing and music, which is enough to leave goosebumps on the audience’s skin for days. Even though its premise is one that’s done often in the genre, the execution of scenes and acting is what keeps the audience on their toes about what will happen next.
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5 Servant (2019 - Present)
Apple Inc.
No one does horror like M. Night Shyamalan, and now he is plotting to take over the horror TV series with his show, Servant. It tells the tale of a Philadelphia couple that is mourning an inexpressible tragedy. However, this induces a rift in their marriage, which lets a mysterious force find its way into their house. Servant talks about the unknown, especially things or beings that can be lurking around in places one considers safe. Servant takes a new direction in the classic horror genre. What makes this show stand out among the rest is the acting of the entire cast, which compels the entire ominous mystery more gripping and believable. Another thing about the series which drives it to be a masterpiece is the fact of how it is shot. There are many still frames shot from the corners of the room or the windows, which pushes the idea that the audience is the ones creeping. It also leaves an unsettling feeling as if they are doing something wicked.
4 Two Sentence Horror Stories (2019 - Present)
Warner Bros. Television Distribution
While the series started in 2019, it came back in 2022 with its third season, and fans cannot get enough of it. Similar to Black Mirror, the show is a combination of various short stories that form an anthology for each episode. What sets the show apart, is the exceptional acting in each episode and the sheer fact that it delves into its audience’s mind, by making them see stories that will leave them contemplating about what they have just witnessed and how in a bone-chilling manner it actually relates to the world. While each episode is creepy and extremely terrifying, “Teatime” will especially linger in the audience’s minds, and they won’t look at harmless dolls the same way ever again.
3 Archive 81 (2022)
Netflix
Created by Rebecca Sonnenshine, Archive 81 tells a tale of an archivist, played by Mamoudou Athie, who ends up getting a job restoring a collection of tapes that were from a burnt-down building. However, things take a petrifying turn when he finds creepy and eerie video messages from a journalist who was investigating a suspicious cult before the fire broke down. While there are a myriad things about this show that makes it a fan favorite, the reason that tops it all is that it is a well-done supernatural, suspense-filled thriller. What sets it apart is that it keeps playing with the audience, along with the protagonist, keeping both of them on their toes. Whether it is when the show breaks the wall between the TV screen and the archivist’s world, or unsettling information the journalists discover. Until the end, the audience, along with the protagonist, keeps wondering if this entire thing is in his mind or actually a supernatural activity. The baffling twists and turns of this true crime mixed with horror show will keep the audience up all night.
2 From (2022)
In simple words, From is about a town that in mysterious ways, imprisons each and every person who enters. Created by John Griffin, the show follows the residents who are struggling to live a normal life as they grapple to survive from the unknown forces that are coming from the forest. The show started in February 2022, and received such an overwhelmingly positive response that it is already scheduled for another season. From is a fast-paced horror show that has a resemblance to the artistic style of Stephen King. From the get-go, when the family is having a hard time leaving this mysterious town, it hooks the audience in as they keep wondering about the ominous ambiance coming from this town. However, as From progresses, viewers will find themselves at the edge of their seats as the show gradually unlocks the mystery. The show has creepy monsters and beautiful cinematography to set a blood-curdling environment. The scene where the little girl encounters one of them outside her window will send the chill down watchers’ spines.
1 Stranger Things (2016 - Present)
One cannot talk about the best horror series of 2022 without mentioning this gem. While the show has been ongoing since 2016, it recently released its fourth season. Stranger Things follows a group of teenagers living in Hawkins, as they try to uncover the mystery of their town, its mirror world, their government secrets, disappearance, and not to mention supernatural forces. With its to-the-point 1980s setting, excellent soundtrack, and spellbinding storylines, Stranger Things deserves to be number one on this list. While most shows can never top their first season, Stranger Things keeps getting better with each season. There is no doubt in admitting that season four takes the crown for being the most terrifyingly eerie season out there. Especially the “Dear Billy” episode left the watchers appalled for days. The way the creators play with audience emotions beautifully stitched with music is a masterpiece on its own. Not to mention the reveal and story of Vecna is enough to leave the audience haunted for weeks.
