It wasn't that long ago that I first watched “The Terror,” in which the crews of two British ships not only battle the elements, but also something far more sinister lurking in the ice

So imagine my excitement when I learned that the first season of this incredibly dark thriller, now one of my favorite shows, was finally on Netflix With its gripping story, haunting atmosphere, and very impressive ratings on Rotten Tomatoes, The Terror is proving to be more than your average horror show

Whether you are a fan of historical dramas, horror thrillers, or simply a fan of great storytelling with a solid cast, “The Terror” is a show not to be missed on the best streaming services Here's why you should watch the first season now

“The Terror” is a horror thriller anthology series that premiered on AMC The first season follows the crews of two Royal Navy ships, HMS “Erebus” and HMS “The Terror,” as they embark on a dangerous journey in search of the Northwest Passage Trapped in the icy Arctic, the crews face extreme cold, dwindling supplies, and a mysterious death threat that seems to be stalking them As they struggle to survive, loneliness and fear rob them of their sanity, leading them to despair and madness

The second season is titled “Fear: World War II This season focuses on the Japanese American experience, particularly the internment camps in the United States However, so far only the first season is available on Netflix

I can guarantee that “The Terror” will not leave your thoughts long after you finish watching the last episode I can still remember the feeling of dread that slowly crept into the pit of my stomach as I watched the crew slowly unravel in the face of unimaginable horrors The show does a good job of leaving a haunting aftermath, and its eerie atmosphere creeps into your thoughts (or nightmares) when you least expect it

One scene that sticks with me is when the men first encounter a mysterious entity stalking them on the ice The fear in their eyes when they realized that they were up against something beyond their comprehension could not be wiped away for days Then there is the claustrophobic tension inside the ship There the men are trapped, not only by the shattering ice outside, but by their own growing paranoia and fear The show brings us face to face with the fragility of the human spirit, and it is impossible not to sympathize with the characters

For critics have given “The Terror” a high score of 94% on Rotten Tomatoes; the BBC's Scott Bryan says: “The drama's strength is the claustrophobia, the foreboding, the utter isolation experienced by the crew

Meanwhile, Darren Franich of Entertainment Weekly says: “‘The Terror’ may be scary, but its real achievement is climatological Freeze is visible Wear a sweater when you watch it”

If you crave a show that leaves you breathless with suspense and lingering chills, “The Terror” is the one to watch; now that it's on Netflix, you have no excuse to miss this brilliant blend of historical drama and supernatural horror It's a show that will make you feel supremely uncomfortable (because it works so well)

Not into it? Check out the best thriller movies on Netflix instead, or watch this psycho-thriller recently added to the streamer

Stream season 1 of The Terror on Netflix Season 2 can be streamed on AMC Plus