Breathe, Survive, Repeat: The 8 Best Survival Thriller Shows on Netflix Right Now
In a world where the lines between reality and TV are constantly blurred, there’s a new genre of entertainment that’s taken the television landscape by storm: the survival thriller. These griping, edge-of-your-seat shows see ordinary people thrust into extraordinary situations, forced to fight for their lives against the unforgiving forces of nature and the darkness within.
From the treacherous jungles of Lost to the icy tundras of 1899, these gripping series have captivated audiences worldwide, pushing the boundaries of storytelling and our collective understanding of the human spirit. With Netflix leading the charge, the platform has become a hotbed for some of the most thrilling survival shows ever created.
Survival Thriller Shows on Netflix: A Comprehensive List
Survival thrillers have captivated audiences with their suspenseful storylines, gripping characters, and intense plot twists. Netflix has an impressive collection of survival thriller shows that cater to diverse tastes and preferences. In this article, we will explore the top 8 survival thriller shows on Netflix, complete with their ratings, reviews, and a detailed analysis of what makes them stand out.
Keep Breathing (2022)
Despite its promising premise, Keep Breathing has been marred by poor reviews and low ratings. The show follows Liv Rivera, a young woman who survives a plane crash in the Canadian wilderness with only a few hours of oxygen left. As she navigates the treacherous terrain, Liv must confront her own demons and the harsh realities of life in the wilderness.
With a talented cast, including Melissa Barrera, Keep Breathing is a must-watch for fans of survival thrillers. The show’s ability to balance action, drama, and suspense makes it a compelling watch. However, it falls short of its full potential due to poor storytelling and character development.
Rating: 5.3/10 (IMDb)
Rating: 53% (Rotten Tomatoes)
The I-Land (2019)
The I-Land is a lesser-known show that explores themes of trauma, identity, and redemption in a world where people wake up on a mysterious island with no memory of who they are or how they got there. With a talented cast, including Natalie Martinez and Kate Bosworth, The I-Land is a gripping, thought-provoking show that explores the human condition in a unique and compelling way.
The show’s ability to balance action, drama, and suspense makes it a compelling watch. However, it falls short of its full potential due to poor storytelling and character development.
Rating: 4.7/10 (IMDb)
Rating: 8% (Rotten Tomatoes)
Survival Thriller Essentials to Watch
Survival thrillers often explore themes of survival, trauma, and redemption. Here are some essential survival thriller shows to watch on Netflix:
- Plane Crash Survival: Plane crashes are a staple of the survival thriller genre, and shows like Yellowjackets and The OA expertly depict the horrors and challenges faced by survivors.
- Isolated Wilderness: Shows like The Society and Keep Breathing showcase the psychological and emotional toll of surviving in a remote wilderness.
- Trauma and Grief: Shows like The OA and The I-Land explore the themes of trauma and grief in a way that is both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant.
Tips for Viewing Survival Thriller Shows
Here are some tips for viewing survival thriller shows on Netflix:
- Pay attention to the plot twists: Survival thrillers often have unexpected twists and turns that keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
- Develop a sense of empathy: Survival thrillers often explore themes of trauma and grief, so it’s essential to develop a sense of empathy for the characters and their struggles.
- Keep an open mind: Survival thrillers often explore unconventional settings and plotlines, so it’s essential to keep an open mind and be willing to adapt to the story.
Yellowjackets (2021 – Present)
Yellowjackets is a critically acclaimed survival thriller series that follows a girls’ high-school soccer team who survive a terrifying plane crash in a remote wilderness. The show explores themes of survival, trauma, and redemption, and features a talented cast, including Melanie Lynskey and Tawny Cypress.
The show’s ability to balance action, drama, and suspense makes it a compelling watch. With its thought-provoking storyline and memorable characters, Yellowjackets is a must-watch for fans of survival thrillers.
Rating: 7.7/10 (IMDb)
Rating: 92% (Rotten Tomatoes)
The Society (2019)
The Society is a critically acclaimed survival thriller series that follows a group of high school students as they return home from a trip to find the entire population of their community missing. The show explores themes of survival, trauma, and redemption, and features a talented cast, including Kathryn Newton and Gideon Adlon.
The show’s ability to balance action, drama, and suspense makes it a compelling watch. With its thought-provoking storyline and memorable characters, The Society is a must-watch for fans of survival thrillers.
Rating: 7.1/10 (IMDb)
Rating: 86% (Rotten Tomatoes)
The OA (2016 – 2019)
The OA is a critically acclaimed survival thriller series that follows a young woman who returns after being missing for seven years, with a mysterious story to tell. The show explores themes of survival, trauma, and redemption, and features a talented cast, including Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij.
The show’s ability to balance action, drama, and suspense makes it a compelling watch. With its thought-provoking storyline and memorable characters, The OA is a must-watch for fans of survival thrillers.
Rating: 7.7/10 (IMDb)
Rating: 86% (Rotten Tomatoes)
The I-Land (2019)
The I-Land is a lesser-known survival thriller series that follows a group of people who wake up on a mysterious island with no memory of who they are or how they got there. The show explores themes of survival, trauma, and redemption, and features a talented cast, including Natalie Martinez and Kate Bosworth.
The show’s ability to balance action, drama, and suspense makes it a compelling watch. However, it falls short of its full potential due to poor storytelling and character development.
Rating: 4.7/10 (IMDb)
Rating: 8% (Rotten Tomatoes)
Keep Breathing (2022)
Keep Breathing is a survival thriller series that follows a young woman who survives a plane crash in the Canadian wilderness with only a few hours of oxygen left. The show explores themes of survival, trauma, and redemption, and features a talented cast, including Melissa Barrera.
The show’s ability to balance action, drama, and suspense makes it a compelling watch. However, it falls short of its full potential due to poor storytelling and character development.
Rating: 5.3/10 (IMDb)
Rating: 53% (Rotten Tomatoes)
Conclusion
The Thrill of Survival: Why Netflix’s Top Survival Thrillers Are Captivating Audiences
As we conclude our exploration of the 8 best survival thriller shows on Netflix, it’s clear that these gripping series have captured the hearts and minds of viewers worldwide. From the treacherous landscapes of “The 100” to the claustrophobic confines of “Oxygen,” these shows have proven that the survival thriller genre is more than just a fleeting trend – it’s a powerful force that taps into our deepest fears and primal instincts. By combining elements of psychological suspense, action, and drama, these shows have created a perfect storm of tension that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats, desperate to know what will happen next.
The significance of these survival thrillers extends far beyond the entertainment value, however. They serve as a reflection of our collective anxieties and fears about the state of the world, from climate change to social inequality. By exploring the darker corners of human nature, these shows challenge us to confront our own mortality and the fragility of our existence. Moreover, they offer a hopeful message: even in the face of overwhelming adversity, human resilience and determination can prevail. As we look to the future, it’s clear that the survival thriller genre will continue to evolve and captivate audiences, inspiring new stories, new themes, and new perspectives on the human condition.
In the words of a wise philosopher, “the only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.” These survival thrillers remind us that, no matter how prepared we think we are, the unknown is always lurking just beyond the horizon, waiting to test our limits and push us to our breaking point. As we continue to binge-watch these enthralling series, let us remember that the true thrill of survival lies not in the plot twists or the action sequences, but in the profound impact they have on our minds, our hearts, and our very souls. So, buckle up, folks, and get ready to face the ultimate test of human endurance – because, in the world of survival thrillers, the only constant is the unknown.