1. The Chestnut Man
The Chestnut Man is a Danish 18+ horror series on Netflix that you definitely shouldn’t miss. This six-episode crime thriller, with each episode around 50 minutes, makes it easy to follow without feeling overwhelmed. Since its release, The Chestnut Man has taken Netflix viewers by storm, earning praise as “excellent” and “chilling.” It’s adapted from the novel by Danish author Søren Sveistrup, translated into 28 languages and published in 50 countries.
Set in a quiet suburb of Copenhagen, the story begins on a windy October morning when police discover a brutal murder: a young woman is found killed at a playground, one of her hands missing, and beside her is a small doll made of chestnuts. Ambitious young detective Naia Thulin is assigned to the case alongside her new partner, Mark Hess. They soon uncover a mysterious clue on the chestnut doll linking the crime to the missing daughter of politician Rosa Hartung, who disappeared a year earlier and was presumed dead.
Viewers have praised The Chestnut Man as “a gripping and terrifying horror series” packed with unexpected twists. Many call it “a surprising and satisfying Netflix gem that’s not to be missed.” Some even say, “If you want a dark, slow-burning mystery with intriguing characters and shocking moments, look no further. The Chestnut Man is the perfect choice!”
2. Strangers From Hell
Strangers From Hell is a 2019 18+ Korean thriller series from OCN, adapted from the webtoon of the same name. It follows Yoon Jong Woo (played by Im Si Wan), a young man who moves from the countryside to Seoul to start a new life. To save money, he rents a room in a rundown apartment building. But things take a dark turn as he encounters strange, secretive neighbors and the building becomes the scene of horrifying murders.
The mastermind behind the mysteries is none other than dentist Seo Moon Jo (played by Lee Dong Wook). Unlike his previous friendly roles, Lee Dong Wook portrays a complex, unpredictable character who hides his sinister nature behind a charming facade.
The series effectively conveys a suffocating atmosphere through its cramped Asian apartment setting. The gloomy color palette and tight camera angles add to the tension. Strangers From Hell impresses with faithful character designs and performances true to the original webtoon, exploring evil in many forms. This keeps viewers hooked until the very end, eager to see if Jong Woo can uncover the terrifying secrets of the dentist and the building.
3. Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story
This 18+ psychological thriller is for those fascinated by true crime and the dark complexities of human nature. Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story is the third most-watched English-language series in Netflix history worldwide. It chronicles the real-life story of Jeffrey Dahmer, a serial killer who murdered 17 men between 1978 and 1991, committing crimes including rape, murder, dismemberment, necrophilia, and cannibalism. Dahmer was sentenced to 16 life terms in 1992 and was killed by a fellow inmate in 1994.
The series uses a nonlinear narrative, weaving through different periods of Dahmer’s life (played by Evan Peters) from his troubled childhood to adulthood. Raised in a loveless home with divorced parents and social isolation, Dahmer’s fascination with animal dissection foreshadows his descent into crime. He committed his first murder after graduation and continued killing in various locations before settling in an apartment where he murdered 12 more victims.
Evan Peters delivers a standout performance, earning critical acclaim for his chilling portrayal of Dahmer’s calm, eerie demeanor, especially through his eyes. While the series has been praised for its acting and storytelling, some viewers criticize it for its dark tone and for reopening wounds for victims’ families.
4. The Midnight Club
Netflix’s horror series The Midnight Club is the latest from Mike Flanagan, the creator behind the acclaimed The Haunting of Hill House and Midnight Mass.
Adapted from Christopher Pike’s 1994 novel, the story is set in a care facility for terminally ill young adults. Each night, eight patients gather to share scary stories and make a pact: whoever dies first will try to send messages from the afterlife to the survivors. But this pact soon spirals out of control into terrifying territory.
5. Hellbound
Hellbound is a dark fantasy horror series depicting a world plunged into chaos when mysterious “angels” appear to announce people’s death times and drag them to hell. At the appointed moment, three giant creatures called hell emissaries appear in broad daylight in central Seoul to carry out “punishment rituals,” burning the souls of the condemned in front of crowds.
In season 2, after returning from hell, Chairman Jung Jin Soo lives in fear before being consumed by darkness, becoming a new hell emissary trapped in eternal damnation. Meanwhile, Park Jung Ja, despite being punished, retains her sanity through maternal instincts. The series hints that judgment is random, with those less sinful resurrected sooner, like a newborn baby. Everyone must face judgment and rebirth.
Released in 2021 and directed by Yeon Sang Ho of Train to Busan fame, Hellbound quickly gained global attention. This 18+ series masterfully blends dark, haunting themes of dystopia with tight storytelling and veteran actors, exploring deep questions about morality, fate, and the tragedies of a world ruled by religion and divine power.
6. Incantation
Incantation is a commercially successful Taiwanese horror film, becoming the highest-grossing original horror movie in Taiwan’s history with 170 million TWD. After its Netflix release, it ranked 8th on the global film chart and topped the Asian charts.
The story follows Li Ruonan. Six years ago, she, her boyfriend, and a friend formed a “ghost hunting team” to film a documentary. During their investigation, they broke a taboo by disturbing a malevolent spirit during a ritual, resulting in the deaths of her two friends and Ruonan’s mental breakdown. After recovery, the curse targets her daughter, Duo Duo. To save her child, Ruonan risks returning to the forbidden land to uncover the curse’s secret.
Inspired by the 2005 “Taiwan Human Relations Massacre” in Kaohsiung, where a family of six suffered from severe mental disorders leading to tragedy, Incantation’s greatest strength lies in building vague, interactive fear. The director uses a simple chant and eerie gestures as the core, capturing audience psychology. The creepiest moment is the ending revelation that when the protagonist asks viewers to chant together, she is actually spreading the curse, not blessing, leaving a lingering, unsettling feeling.
7. His House
His House tells the story of Bol (Sope Dirisu) and Rial (Wunmi Mosaku), political refugees from South Sudan. After a perilous journey across the Mediterranean, they are granted housing and living expenses by the UK government on the condition they prove themselves “good citizens.” Upon moving into their new home, they face suffocating racial discrimination from white neighbors and even people of their own skin color. This tension precedes the supernatural horrors they encounter.
More terrifyingly, their house is haunted by the spirit of an “apeth”, a malevolent witch from African folklore that Rial once told them about. The witch’s presence creeps through cracks in the walls, causing panic. When Bol tries to request a relocation, he can’t reveal the truth for fear of being labeled insane, leading to growing conflict and helplessness between the couple.
Throughout the film, His House explores the emotional rifts and struggles of refugee life. The 18+ movie succeeds thanks to powerful performances by Sope Dirisu and Wunmi Mosaku, who portray the anxiety and despair of lives threatened both physically and spiritually.
8. Late Night with the Devil
The unique horror project Late Night with the Devil received extremely positive reviews upon release, even earning praise from Stephen King as a “masterpiece.” It quickly scored a perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Set in the 1970s, the story centers on a Halloween 1977 special of a talk show hosted by Jack Delroy. He interviews an author and Lilly, the sole survivor of a massacre. Things turn horrifying when Lilly begins exhibiting strange behavior, suspected of being possessed.
Critics were impressed by the film’s mockumentary style, blending vintage showbiz with demonic horror. Lead actor David Dastmalchian shines with a performance that balances humor and terror. Many have called it a “classic masterpiece” and a strong contender for best horror film of the year.
9. Demon City
The Japanese action revenge film Demon City, adapted from Masamichi Kawabe’s manga Oni Goroshi, has gained major attention on Netflix thanks to its straightforward plot and realistic, effective action scenes.
The story follows Shuhei Sakata (Toma Ikuta), a legendary assassin who retires to live peacefully with his wife and daughter. Tragedy strikes when masked criminals break into his home, killing his family and leaving him in a vegetative state. Twelve years later, with help from an old friend and fueled by a fierce desire for revenge, Sakata regains consciousness. The legendary assassin returns to hunt down and punish the five culprits who destroyed his life, determined to settle the score.
What makes Demon City stand out is its focus on raw, intense action. The fight scenes are direct, brutal, and gripping, making viewers feel as if they are in the middle of the violence, sensing every wound’s pain. Major action sequences set in hospitals, factories, and buildings are beautifully shot and authentic. Instead of relying on guns, the film impresses with weapons like iron rods, swords, large hooked knives, and even a medical tube used as a chilling weapon.
10. Cassandra
This 18+ horror film is set in a sealed house, turning it into a modern “haunted house.” The main character Sandra (Mina Tander) moves her family into a smart home built in the 1970s, hoping to change their environment and heal from past trauma.
They believe the house’s AI system is broken, but Sandra’s son accidentally reactivates the AI named Cassandra (Lavinia Wilson), triggering a series of strange events.
The story unfolds along two timelines: Sandra’s fight against the AI controlling her family, and the AI’s manipulation of past events. The house is filled with surveillance screens, monitoring every corner. As Cassandra gradually brainwashes each family member, it begins to replace Sandra, seeing itself as the “new mother” of the house.