Thrillers and mystery series excite the best of us. This genre gives its viewers excitement, suspense, and fear as the episodes progress. Luckily, Max, formerly HBO Max has a variety of series to pick from that are binge-worthy for those types of emotions.
Despite Max having its suspense genre, not all of them can fit into that same category. Some of the best thriller series on HBO Max are more than just their thrills but for their adventure and mystery within their episodes. Others are often based on a novel, but the directors give their spin on the series, such as Game of Thrones, Chernobyl, and The Tourist.
Updated on May 29, 2023, by Daniela Gama:
With so many impeccable thriller series to choose from on Max, it can be difficult for viewers to decide where to start – that is when Reddit users come in. The platform counts on several TV show enthusiasts that provide others with tons of valuable (and, at times, questionable) recommendations. These are some of the most mentioned thrillers on the streaming service, courtesy of Reddit.
11 ’30 Coins’ (2020 – )
30 Coins is a Spanish mystery horror series that follows Father Vergara (Eduard Fernández), an exorcist, to a remote village in Spain where he hopes to be forgotten by his enemies due to his terrible past. Paranormal phenomena ensue in the town, which causes him to reach out for help from the mayor and its town veterinarian.
Ghost stories are always frightening in the best ways, especially if a physical thing is attached to them, like a coin. Each episode leaves the viewers feeling a sense of urgency, hoping the characters stay safe. The battle between good and evil is on the precipice as the main characters try to figure out the devil’s next move. When a user on the platform asked for TV show recommendations similar to the paranormal thriller series Supernatural, a Redditor could not help suggesting “30 Coins,” which is set to return this year – fans can look forward to more creepy arcs in 30 Coins Season 2.
10 ‘The Girl Before’ (2021)
Following Jane (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), a single woman who moves into a house with minimalist architecture, deals with strong similarities between her and the previous tenant, Emma (Jessica Plummer). After some time, she discovers that Emma died a mysterious death in the home. Despite the architect (David Oyelowo) imposing strict rules on the house’s use, Jane doesn’t mind.
As an adaptation of JP Delaney‘s bestselling book, the series incorporates only four episodes to tie in the whole story. The stellar performances of its cast, such as Mbatha-Raw and Oyelowo, allowed viewers to enjoy the storytelling. It makes renters question the truth behind the tenants before them and what anyone would do to get affordable housing. On Reddit, a user made a post on how “mysterious” The Girl Before is, highlighting that there is “not a dull moment.”
9 ‘The Tourist’ (2022 – )
A victim of a car crash (Jamie Dornan) wakes up with amnesia and is working on figuring out his identity. That’s the basis of this Australian thriller drama series as he races to understand his past before it catches up to him. Although the answers may not be something he’d prefer, The Man finds help in a local cop to fit all the pieces together.
Jamie Dornan has been praised by fans and critics alike for his performance in the show – it’s a good thing audiences will see him again in The Tourist Season 2. This outback thriller has many twists and turns to keep its audience on the edge of their seat and adds shock value in every episode. “The Tourist,” as commented by Lybey19, is also a recommended show on the website when it comes to the best and most exciting HBO suspense series.
8 ‘The Flight Attendant’ (2020 – )
Based on the 2018 novel of the same name, this dark comedy thriller series follows a flight attendant, Cassie Bowden (Kaley Cuoco), as she attempts to understand her night in Bangkok, where she woke up next to a passenger’s throat slashed. Remembering that unfortunate night leaves her with flashbacks and hallucinations.
Despite a few questionable choices for The Flight Attendant‘s first season, it received high praise from critics and the public. This series tackles character introspection as she wrestles with different versions of herself to deal with the past and recover from alcoholism. It deals with murder, thrills, and figuring out oneself through constant predicaments. “I watched that. Loved the first season and I’m kind of glad it got cancelled, the ending wasn’t that bad,” Why_I_Dgaf said when someone mentioned the series.
7 ‘Station Eleven’ (2021 – 2022)
Station Eleven combines a variety of genres and tones to create an amazing post-apocalyptic dystopian thriller. This series follows a group of survivors trying to hold onto their humanity. Loosely based on Emily St. John Mandel‘s 2014 best-selling novel of the same name, the directors can add their own twist onscreen.
With the flu pandemic looming over the characters’ heads, the audience can share their experience of their version of the pandemic. Survivors making a living after an apocalypse has already been done, but this takes it to a different level. It explores empathy for the characters and those around them. Art, as a means of healing and empowerment, lets the audience know there is more to life than just surviving. “Station Eleven,” as recommended by tomtomvissers, is a perfect show for those who enjoy thrillers Dark and HBO’s astounding apocalyptic series The Leftovers. “20 minutes into the first episode….. yeah this is amazing,” imanisun2012 wrote.
6 ‘Big Little Lies’ (2017 – 2019)
This miniseries turned drama series addresses mental health issues and is based on the original novel. In Big Little Lies, five women in Monterey become involved in a murder investigation that reveals secrets within their beloved city. With seven episodes each season, the city is more than what it seems.
It received critical acclaim for the writing, directing, acting, cinematography, and soundtrack. Actresses such as Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon, Shailene Woodley, and Zoë Kravitz take the spotlight with 16 Emmy nominations for the show. Secrets begin to emerge about the seemingly perfect families of a local school that brings chaos to a murder investigation. According to edditordeaditor6789, one of the greatest assets of the Jean-Marc Vallée is its score: “Another rich white people show, but omg that sound track is amazing,” they said.
5 ‘Sharp Objects’ (2018)
This riveting thriller limited series is based on the bestselling novel by Gillian Flynn and directed by Jean-Marc Vallee. It follows Camille Preaker, a traumatized reporter who returns to her hometown of Wind Gap to solve the mystery of the murders of two preteen girls. Dealing with the pressures of solving the mystery and being under her mother’s critical eye, she tackles her demons in the midst of chaos.
It received critical acclaim due to its visuals and amazing cast, which includes Amy Adams, Patricia Clarkson, and Eliza Scanlen. This dark and twisted tale leads the audience in the direction of the murderer but still keeps its mysterious tone throughout. The idea of having a complicated relationship with their hometown creates an intense experience for everyone watching. No doubt, Sharp Objects is easily one of the most compelling thriller series on HBO. ” This show still sticks with me to this day,” xkris10ski commented.
4 ‘Chernobyl’ (2019)
This miniseries revolves around the 1986 Chernobyl disaster and its cleanup efforts afterward. The five-part series was written by Craig Mazin and directed by Johan Renck. It dramatizes the nuclear plant disaster in the Soviet Union while highlighting the lesser-known stories of the tragedy, such as the first responder firefighters, volunteers, and miners.
With Chernobyl‘s pilot episode being considered the best by IMDb, the series continues with accurate collections of Pripyat locals. The true story of suffering and tragedy empowers the audience to understand the catastrophe more deeply. As radiation affects everyone, the slow burn is felt throughout the series as the inescapable truth of death sets in. As Turbulent-Date-7207 suggested, “Chernobyl” is also a highly mentioned show in the platform when it comes to the genre.
3 ‘The Wire’ (2002 – 2008)
Set in the city of Baltimore, the series gives a glimpse of its narcotics scene through the eyes of the police and its criminals alike. It tells the story of crime, law, politics, education, and the media. A former police reporter, David Simon, created a true-to-life-tale of what things are really like.
The gripping drama is widely considered one of the best HBO series of all time, and one of the “best detective shows” ever, according to Redditor CrazyWhammer. With its loyal fanbase and enduring legacy, it’s safe to say this series is definitely binge-worthy. It has even been heralded for accurately portraying the police and the city.
2 ‘Game of Thrones’ (2011 – 2019)
A fantasy series based on Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire novels have gained much traction throughout the years, especially with its recent prequel, House of the Dragon. Setting in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos, powerful families struggle to gain control of the Seven Kingdoms and the Iron Throne. With winter soon at hand, time is of the essence to figure out how to protect the realm.
The exploration of this vast world created within the novel brings the audience right into the thick of it. It showcases themes of politics, military conflict, and dynastic succession while giving the audience its long-awaited battles and dragons. The twists within each episode, like the “Red Wedding,” prove that death is everywhere, especially in Game of Thrones. “I know the ending wasn’t that good but still I don’t think I ever got as pumped for a show before the release of a new [Game of Thrones] episode,” redditordeaditor6789 said.
1 ‘The Last of Us’ (2023 – )
The significant success of the 2013 video game, The Last of Us has quickly moved onto its newest television series of the same name. Twenty years after a mass fungal infection, Joel (Pedro Pascal), a skilled smuggler, is tasked with escorting Ellie (Bella Ramsey), a teenage girl who is said to be the cure for the disease caused this global pandemic.
With just its first season out, it’s already recognized for its similarities to its original game but includes key differences to fit better onscreen. As the first HBO series based on a video game, it delivers all the thrills and heart-pounding drama that its video game fans have grown to love. “Not a movie but you might try The Last of Us,” KPGTOK recommended when a user asked for great thrillers on the platform.
