As a lover of crime thrillers, I'm always on the lookout for shows that combine intense drama with mind-bending plots Since I'm desensitized to horror, I need something that gets under my skin and makes me uncomfortable But one of the shows that made me emotionally and physically uncomfortable was “The Outsider,” and I can't believe it took me this long to discover this show on one of the best streaming services: max

The series pulls you into a dark and suspenseful world where nothing is as it seems Just when you think you have it all figured out, a supernatural element creeps in and makes you question everything From the eerie close-up camera shots to the haunting soundtrack, every detail is carefully crafted to build tension and keep you on the edge of your seat No wonder the show left critics completely stunned

If you haven't seen “The Outsiders” yet, here are a few details (without spoiling too much) about why it's worth binge-watching at the Max Trust me, this is one show you don't want to miss

“The Outsider” is a one-season show based on the novel of the same name by Stephen King (who happens to be my favorite author) It begins in Cherokee, Georgia, where an 11-year-old boy, Frank Peterson, is brutally murdered Local detective Ralph Anderson (Ben Mendelsohn) quickly identifies local Little League coach Terry Maitland (Jason Bateman) as the prime suspect From multiple eyewitness accounts and surveillance footage, it seems certain that Terry was at the scene

However, as the investigation progresses, contradictory evidence surfaces suggesting Terry's innocence This paradox leads Ralph to seek the help of unconventional private investigator Holly Gibney (Cynthia Erivo) Her involvement reveals that supernatural forces may be the reason for the horrific murders, leading the investigators to question their perception of reality

It is no exaggeration to say that “The Outsiders” is one of my favorite shows ever I was hooked from the moment I started watching it, and it usually takes two or three episodes to get me interested Being instantly thrown into the drama was unexpected, but it worked out very well

“The Outsider” tells a supremely chilling story by blending the crime drama and supernatural thriller genres to create a fresh and deeply unsettling narrative Starting with a shocking and gruesome crime, the series is the kind of show that will genuinely shake you up and grab you from the very first episode and not let go until the very end (trust me, you won't be able to get it out of your head for a while)

One of the reasons I find The Outsiders so compelling is the depth and complexity of the characters Ben Mendelsohn's Detective Ralph Anderson is powerful, and you can feel his anguish and frustration as he tries to make sense of the conflicting evidence in the case How can one person be in two places at once? Is there really something supernatural going on?

Cynthia Erivo's role as Holly Gibney also offers a unique perspective and investigative approach that allows us to see both sides of the story, the murder committed by an ordinary man and the murder caused by an unknowable force Sometimes you're not sure if what you're seeing is real, and the harder you think about what the hell is going on, the more confused your mind can become

Despite this positive outlook, I must confess that the pacing is not the best when it comes to the climax of the show Given that it is a crime thriller, I remember being a little frustrated by the lack of consistency in each episode (and needed something shocking to push the “next episode”) But this was my only complaint about the show, and it was easy to overcome the more I became engrossed in the story

I'm not the only one who believes “The Outsider” is worth binge-watching Critics gave the show a high score of 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, and the reason is that it's easy to get lost in the incredibly tense story

AV Club's Randall Colburn says: The Outsiders works Like any good King adaptor, Price stays true to King's original, but plays to his own strengths, giving the world an evocative visual palette and characters that feel truly alive within it” Chuck Bowen of Slant magazine agrees that this is a faithful adaptation: “The series preserves the original plot of Stephen King's novels while completely altering their tone

One critic summed up the show perfectly: “The Outsiders has no shortage of great performances, fascinating yet cautionary storytelling, and genuinely frightening scenes,” said Jack Hamilton of Slate magazine

But while I love the show, I have to agree with some of the criticisms about the pacing; Judy Berman of TIME magazine believes that “The Outsider could easily have been made into a movie,” and I share that view However, it is worth a quick look, especially because the story is shocking and gripping

“The Outsider” is not a crime thriller show that you can just watch and forget about a few days later Rather, it is an experience that takes you into a world of darkness and mystery It makes you think about what could happen and imagines it all the way to the final episode If you haven't seen it yet, I highly recommend adding it to your watch list

The only thing I can say about “The Outsider” is that you have to see it this weekend It's one of the best supernatural thrillers around, and if you're a big fan of “Fromm,” you'll definitely enjoy it

If you're in the mood for a more thrilling story Check out these crime dramas on Netflix right now or watch “The Outsiders” on Max