Skip to main content
Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
It’s spooky season, and you know what that means: killers are trending again. True crime has always been a popular genre, but since the release of Ryan Murphy’s Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, it seems like fall has been filled with fresh interest in narratives about serial killers and murder cases. Particularly, stories with nuance that allow us to see the full extent of the killer and their victims.
Starring Evan Peters as the notorious serial killer, Monster tells the story of Jeffrey Dahmer, focusing on his victims and those around him who suspected he was up to no good. It’s scary — and can be graphic and gory at times, but does an impressive job overall keeping focus not so much on Dahmer but the impact his actions had on the community around him.
If you’ve finished the show, you might be looking for something new. Luckily, we at Decider have you covered for the next juicy crime drama you might want to watch. Although all focus on crime, not all of these shows are true; though they do make for excellent mysteries. Read on ahead and investigate our choices below to begin your next binge.
'The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story'
If you are looking for more Ryan Murphy true crime, look no further than the show that really started it all. American Crime Story, his anthology series that tells the story behind various crimes and the court cases that follow, like Monster, gives you background on what happened. But where season 1 focuses on the conviction and trial of O.J. Simpson, season 2 allows you to get to know a fashion killer, Andrew Cunanan (played by Darren Criss), and the story of how he got to know and murder Gianni Versace. Featuring Penelope Cruz as Donatella Versace, Édgar Ramírez as Gianni Versace, and Ricky Martin as his lover Antonio D’Amico, this is a great follow-up to Monster for its slow burn quality and its portrayal of Cunanan.
Where to stream The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
'Des'
If you liked the investigative elements of Monster, you’ll love this show about Scottish serial killer Dennis Nilsen. In this ITV miniseries, David Tennant plays the serial killer who openly admitted to killing 15 or 16 people in 1983, though his motives were unclear. Working with the police, a biographer attempts to find out the truth about what happened as authorities try to identify victims.
'Conversations With a Killer: The John Wayne Gacy Tapes'
While watching Monster, there were quite a few appearances of another serial killer John Wayne Gacy (played by Dominic Burgess on the show). They had a few similarities in how they killed and when. If you’re still confused about him and want to learn more, look no further than Conversations With a Killer: The John Wayne Gacy Tapes, a docuseries about the notorious serial killer. This is filled with real footage and photographs of Gacy and packed with information about the clown character that he became known for.
Where to stream Conversations With a Killer: The John Wayne Gacy Tapes
'The Serpent'
If you want to learn more about international crimes, look no further than The Serpent, about real gem dealer Charles Sobhraj (Tahar Rahim) and his girlfriend Marie-Andrée Leclerc (Jenna Coleman), who murdered people along the famous “Hippie Trail” in Asia. It’s an interesting watch and Monster fans will find themselves immersed in this, looking for clues and wondering about the motives behind the crimes. Still, it’s particularly worth watching to observe the relationship between Sobrahj and Leclerc as they work together like Bonnie and Clyde to commit their crimes.
'Black Bird'
If you liked the prison focus of Monster, you’ll find yourself intrigued with this miniseries, which tells the story of Jimmy Keene (Taron Egerton), who attempts to get a confession out of suspected killer Larry Hall (Paul Walter Hauser) while in prison as a way of going free. Also starring the late, great Ray Liotta, this one is filled with twists and turns along the way, as you question the motives of everyone from the police, to Keene, to most importantly Hall himself.
'Hannibal'
If you want more of a fictional crime drama, look no further than this television series about the famous serial killer from the 1991 film Silence of The Lambs. Starring Hugh Dancy, Mads Mikkelsen, and Laurence Fishburne, Hannibal gets you inside the mind of Hannibal Lecter as he works with investigator Will Graham to help solve crimes. This is a cult classic and once you start watching, you won’t be able to stop.
'Under the Banner of Heaven'
If you enjoyed the slow burn of Monster, you’ll be enamored with Under the Banner of Heaven, based on the book by Jon Krakeur about the murder of Brenda Wright Lafferty and her daughter in Utah, and the investigation that followed. Starring Andrew Garfield, Sam Worthington, and Daisy Edgar-Jones, this series takes a really unique focus on religion, particularly the ways ideology influences action.
