“The Crowded Room” is an American psychological thriller limited series created by Akiva Goldsman for Apple TV+. It is based on the 1995 book The Minds of Billy Milligan by Daniel Keyes, about Billy Milligan, the first person acquitted of a crime by reason of multiple personality disorder. The series stars Tom Holland as Danny Sullivan, a man with 24 personalities, and Amanda Seyfried as Rya Goodwin, a psychologist who helps him.
The show is a well-acted and ambitious drama that struggles to find its footing, ultimately offering a familiar and unsatisfying take on a complex subject. If you love this show, here are a few shows like “The Crowded Room” you might want to check out.
1. The Serpent (2021)
Based on the true story of Charles Sobhraj, a notorious serial killer and con artist who operated in Southeast Asia during the 1970s. Directed by Tom Shankland and written by Richard Warlow and Toby Finlay. The series takes place in the 1970s and follows Sobhraj and Leclerc as they carry out a series of murders and cons on the “Hippie Trail” in Southeast Asia. They target young Western travelers, drug them, and steal their money and passports. The series also explores Sobhraj’s personal life, including his complicated relationship with Leclerc and his past as a child in Vietnam.
Knippenberg, who is stationed in Thailand, becomes involved in the case after two young Dutch tourists are murdered. He becomes convinced that Sobhraj is responsible and begins to investigate him, despite resistance from his colleagues and superiors. As he delves deeper into the case, he uncovers more evidence that links Sobhraj to the murders and cons.
2. Des (2020)
Directed by Lewis Arnold and written by Luke Neal, the series stars David Tennant as the Scottish serial killer Dennis Nilsen, also known as “Des”, who murdered at least 12 young men in London during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The three-part series follows the story of Nilsen’s arrest, trial, and imprisonment, as well as the emotional toll it takes on the police officers investigating the case, Nilsen himself, and the families of his victims. The show is based on the book “Killing for Company” by Brian Masters, a biographical account of Nilsen’s crimes.
David Tennant delivers a chilling performance as Nilsen, portraying him as a lonely and disturbed man who lures young men back to his apartment with the promise of warmth and food, only to strangle them to death and keep their bodies hidden in his home.
3. A Confession (2019)
Based on a true story and follows the investigation into the disappearance of 22-year-old Sian O’Callaghan in 2011. Detective Superintendent Steve Fulcher, played by Freeman, leads the investigation and becomes convinced that the prime suspect, taxi driver Christopher Halliwell, is responsible for Sian’s disappearance and a string of other unsolved crimes.
As the investigation progresses, Fulcher realizes that he must break police protocol in order to extract a confession from Halliwell and find Sian’s body. Despite the evidence against Halliwell, Fulcher faces disciplinary action for his unorthodox methods, revealing the difficult choices that face law enforcement in high-pressure situations.
4. The Capture (2019 – )
Created, written and directed by Ben Chanan and stars Holliday Grainger as Detective Rachel Carey, a British Army veteran who is assigned to investigate a case involving a soldier who is accused of a crime he claims he did not commit. The series starts with the arrest of Lance Corporal Shaun Emery (played by Callum Turner) for the alleged kidnapping and assault of his barrister, Hannah Roberts. Emery denies the charges and claims that he was set up by the British army. As the investigation unfolds, Carey discovers that there may be more to the case than meets the eye, and that there may be a conspiracy to cover up the truth.
As Carey delves deeper into the case, she becomes entangled in a web of lies and deceit that puts her career and her life in danger. She teams up with a surveillance expert, Shaun’s lawyer, and a journalist to uncover the truth and clear Shaun’s name. Along the way, they encounter corrupt police officers, government officials, and intelligence agencies that will stop at nothing to protect their secrets.
5. Mr. Robot (2015-2019)
“Mr. Robot” follows Elliot Alderson, a cybersecurity engineer and hacker who is recruited by a mysterious anarchist known only as Mr. Robot, played by Slater, to join his group of hackers called fsociety. Together, they plan to bring down E Corp, a powerful conglomerate that represents everything wrong with the world. As the series progresses, Elliot becomes increasingly embroiled in a complex web of political intrigue, corporate espionage, and personal drama.
Over the course of its four seasons, “Mr. Robot” garnered critical acclaim for its innovative storytelling, stunning visuals, and powerful performances. Malek, in particular, won widespread praise for his portrayal of Elliot, a tormented and sympathetic antihero whose struggles resonate deeply with audiences.
6. The Sinner (2017-2021)
“The Sinner” is an American series that originally premiered on USA Network in 2017. However, it later went on to gain widespread popularity on Netflix due to its thrilling storyline and captivating performances from the cast. The show follows a young mother named Cora Tannetti, played by Jessica Biel, who commits a shocking act of violence in broad daylight in front of her husband and child. The incident sets off a chain reaction of events, as Detective Harry Ambrose, played by Bill Pullman, becomes increasingly obsessed with uncovering the truth behind what led Cora to commit such a heinous crime.
As the investigation progresses, clues begin to emerge that suggest Cora’s past may hold the key to unlocking the mystery. Through a series of flashbacks, the show slowly reveals the traumas and secrets that Cora has buried deep within herself, ultimately leading to a shocking and unexpected conclusion.
7. Mindhunter (2017-2019)
Set in the late 1970s, the series follows two FBI agents, Holden Ford (Jonathan Groff) and Bill Tench (Holt McCallany), as they develop a new approach to criminal profiling.
Holden is a young agent with a background in hostage negotiation who becomes fascinated with the psychology of serial killers. Bill is a veteran agent who has spent years dealing with violent crimes and is skeptical of Holden’s new ideas. Together they begin conducting interviews with incarcerated serial killers in order to better understand their motivations and thought processes. Holden and Bill encounter a range of different killers, each with their own unique psychological makeup. They also face challenges within the FBI as they try to convince their colleagues of the value of their work.
8. Sharp Objects (2018)
Based on the novel of the same name by Gillian Flynn, the story follows the life of Camille Preaker, a troubled journalist who returns to her hometown of Wind Gap, Missouri, to investigate the murders of two young girls. Camille is a complex character with a dark past. She struggles with alcoholism and self-harm, and has a strained relationship with her mother Adora, who is a wealthy and influential figure in Wind Gap. As Camille delves deeper into the murders, she is haunted by her own demons and forced to confront the trauma of her past.
9. Ratched (2020-)
“Ratched” is a dark and twisted television series that premiered in 2020 on Netflix. The show is a prequel to the classic novel “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” by Ken Kesey and follows the story of Nurse Mildred Ratched, a character who appears in the novel.
Set in the 1940s, the series begins with Mildred Ratched arriving at a psychiatric hospital in California to seek employment. She is determined and ambitious, and will stop at nothing to climb the ranks and gain power and control. Along the way, she becomes entangled in the hospital’s dark and disturbing world of experimentation and manipulation.