Paradiseis one of the most exciting shows in Hulu’s catalog at the moment, following a complex team of security officers who find themselves assigned to the most important client in the United States: the President. It’s an extremely gripping and captivating thriller that always makes the most of its unique premise, playing with high stakes and bold narrative swings that almost always pay off.The central mystery ofParadiseis a very engaging one, and the show’s writers never took the easy option with their storytelling.
AlthoughParadisecertainly feels one-of-a-kind, there are many other shows that preceded it which clearly inspired the Hulu original. The political thriller genre is often seen as an oversaturated one, soit’s always impressive when a show likeParadisemanages to subvert expectationsand break free from the confines of the genre. There are elements of mystery in the show, areas of romance and human drama, and immense stakes that really emphasize the global scale of this story. AlthoughParadiseseason 1 has ended, there are many other shows to scratch that same itch.
House of Cardsessentially laid the groundwork for political thrillers over the past decade, giving a huge boost to the genre that very few projects have managed to mimic in the years since. The show follows an American politician who’s nominated as the Secretary of State, which triggers an endless domino effect of power and ambition to crumble down on his personal and professional lives.The show gathered attention for its realistic and engaging depiction of American politics, which is a trait that it clearly shares with Hulu’sParadise.
Paradise Creator Addresses Whether Cal Could Appear In Season 2 Despite His Shocking Fate
Dan Fogelman, creator of Hulu’s hit series Paradise, talks about the possibility of bringing back James Marsden’s Cal in future episodes.
The Night Agentstars Gabriel Basso as an FBI agent whose dedication to his work finds him thrown headfirst into a dangerous conspiracy running through the White House. Much likeParadise, this show isa very fast-paced, self-contained thrillerthat knows exactly how far it can push the audience’s expectations before breaking them.The Night Agenthas an excellent storythat’s very well plotted throughout the seasons, creating a narrative that audiences can easily lose themselves in. The show rarely goes into depth on the politics that it depicts, presenting a more objective and personal story about institutional corruption.
AlthoughSilohas a much stronger focus on sci-fi and dystopian themes, its overall atmosphere and aesthetic is unexpectedly similar to that ofParadise. They’re both stories about human nature at its most fundamental, using the idea of government (or a lack thereof) to explore how we interact with the world around us.Silotakes place in a futuristic bunker following a devastating apocalypsethat’s rendered Earth’s surface uninhabitable, exploring how humanity could possibly survive in a world with no clear rules.
2Designated Survivor (2016 - 2019)
Starring Kiefer Sutherland & Kal Penn
Designated Survivoris another political thriller that takes place within the walls of the White House, this timefollowing a low-ranking politician named Tom Kirkmanwho finds himself suddenly sworn in as President of the United States following a deadly attack on the Capitol. There have been many comparisons drawn betweenSutherland’s roles inDesignated Survivorand24, but the former is a much slower and more methodical drama that employs countless different subplots to mimic the chaos and pressure of life in such a public office.
Severanceis among the most popular shows on TV right now, and for good reason. This genre-bending thriller follows a group of “severed” employees at a mysterious company called Lumon, where their minds have been split in half and created two separate personalities. While the work mind is only “alive” at their job, the regular mind can never step foot on the enigmatic “severed floor”.It’s the perfect recipe for mystery, andSeverancegoes above and beyond in its execution.
The first season may be a little slow for some viewers, but every moment serves a purpose and builds a much grander mystery that ultimately pays off the patience.
The show features excellent performances from its entire cast, but it’s the sharp writing and genius plotting that makesSeveranceshine. The first season may be a little slow for some viewers, but every moment serves a purpose and builds a much grander mystery that ultimately pays off the patience. LikeParadise, it’s a show that takes pleasure in keeping the audience on the edge of their seat, knowing that the destination will be worth it.
