10 More Drug-Fueled Thrillers
If you’ve finished this one and are looking for something similar, we’ve combed through the archives and saved you the hassle with our top 10 picks for alternate viewing. To keep things simple for skim-readers we’ve added what similarities these have. Of course for all the shows we’ve reviewed, we’ve also added a handy link so you can check out our full thoughts on that series and see if it’s something you want to invest your time with. So without further ado, we present 10 TV shows that should whet the appetite when you’ve finished streaming Dom.
Euphoria
Similarities – Realistic Depiction of Drugs/Sex
HBO’s stylish teen-drama Euphoria is a visually striking and boundary-pushing show. It accurately depicts how destructive drugs can be and spins that into a gorgeously shot series about a group of teens dealing with teenage issues. Zendaya ignites the show with her accurate portrayal of drug-addict Rue but each of the different teens bring something new to the show. There’s some very important topics discussed here too and against the backdrop of drug taking, nudity and rape, this teen drama is easily one of the best dramas of its kind and a must-watch, even for those who don’t usually watch these sort of shows. You can read our thoughts on Euphoria in our full season review here!
El Chapo
Similarities – Crime & Drugs
Documenting the life of infamous drug kingpin Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, El Chapo is an engrossing, fast paced and often violent ride through the underworld of drug trafficking. Although there are snippets of empathy felt toward this notorious man, for the most part El Chapo’s narrative does a great job depicting this despicable, cunning drug kingpin as a criminal he is rather than a hero. The show begins with Chapo’s rise to power and ends with his eventual downfall. Along the way though, this series blends elements of a political thriller with a more straight forward action-drama hybrid. With a satisfying conclusion and plenty of drama along the way, El Chapo is a solid option. You can read our thoughts on El Chapo in our full season reviews here!
Narcos
Similarities – Style, Tone & Characters
Narcos is a show that lives and dies with its eccentric cast of characters at the center of this. Here, we follow infamous Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar. Playing out as a classic cat and mouse chase, DEA and federal agents work hard to track down and stop Escobar from growing his drug enterprise. While they do, Escobar continues to grow in confidence and bravado. As the seasons tick by, the attention does turn slightly away from Escobar toward other criminals, especially in season 3. Despite that though, Narcos remains an enthralling watch from start to finish – and even spawned a sister spin-off in Narcos: Mexico.
Top Boy
Similarities – Action & Story
On the surface, Top Boy is a very straight forward story about two drug dealers trying to navigate the murky underbelly of London. When you dive a little deeper however, Top Boy also presents a fascinating social commentary about the seductiveness of the drug trade. Top Boy also weaves that around issues plaguing Britain’s youth, doing so with a very gritty, in-your-face style. After 3 seasons, Netflix then snatched up the rights to this one, changing the format slightly while remaining just as engaging and intriguing – and more importantly not cancelled. At least not at the time of writing anyway. You can read our thoughts on Top Boy in our full season reviews here!
The Serpent
Similarities – Timeline Jumps & Drugs
Charles Sobhraj is one of the most notorious serial killers of our time. Said to have killed anywhere between 12 and 24 people in south-east Asia, this predator is very much a serpent in disguise; striking his enemies and wrapping them up in deceit and big promises. With a story that jumps back and forth between different time periods, The Serpent follows Charles Sobhraj’s story from his early days in Paris and India through to his notorious reign over South-east Asia. With gemstone deals, spiked drinks and even burning people alive, this story is a shocking and utterly compelling journey from start to finish. You can read our thoughts on The Serpent in our full season reviews here!
ZeroZeroZero
Similarities – Action & Drugs
To give much more away would be a disservice to this one. Gritty, well-written and full of some really well choreographed action, this is another must-watch show and a surprisingly underrated one too.
Breaking Bad
Similarities – Drama & Evolving Characters
Breaking Bad manages to transcend beyond excellent TV into something timelessly epic on the small screen. From the tight writing and memorable characters to the constant juxtapositions and changing character fortunes, this slow-burn thriller is a non-stop rollercoaster ride from start to finish. There’s a reason this is regarded as one of the best shows ever produced, and if you haven’t seen it already do yourself a favour and check it out. If you want an example of how to turn a character from a beloved icon to something very different indeed, this is a solid choice and its accurate depiction of the drug trade makes it a must-watch. You can read our thoughts on Breaking Bad in our full season reviews here!
Recovery Road
Similarities – Rehab & Trying To Get Clean
Recovery Road is a well written series that was cancelled before its time. Despite there only being a single season, this teen drama shines a light on rehab in a really compelling way. The story centers on party girl Maddie, who finds herself faced with expulsion from school after being caught with alcohol. The only way out comes from frequenting a rehab facility during the evening, where other recovering addicts happen to be. Fleshing out the series are a few other subplots too, which help to give this drama some depth as Maddie attempts to go 30 days sober and change her life for the better.
Skins
Similarities – Teen Issues & Drugs
Skins is an intriguing and well written British series, centering on a group of teenagers navigating the highs and lows of life. As one may expect, all the usual drug taking and love making arrive, along with a host of eclectic characters too. With little parental supervision, Sid, Tony and Michelle are our main characters, although they’re joined by gay and popular friend Maxxie. Joining them are anorexic Cassie and virgin Anwar, along with a host of other supporting teens too. Along the way, these characters become entangled in a web of messy emotion, romance and substance abuse. The show has an interesting dynamic shift midway through its run, with the third and fourth season switching viewpoints up slightly.
Cocaine Coast
Similarities – Drug Issues
Cocaine Coast is a gritty Spanish thriller, taking place deep in the heart of the drug trade. Specifically, the series takes place in Galicia, Spain. Beginning in the 80’s, the show charts the dictatorship of Franco and the subsequent fishing crisis, leading many to turn toward the lucrative but dangerous business of trafficking. Specifically, the series centers on cocaine and how it grew to infamy. The show does a great job charting this in all its devastation, with lengthy, well written chapters and some really hard hitting material, Cocaine Coast is another hidden gem on Netflix. What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!
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