The Tamil language whodunnit series ‘Suzhal’ from Amazon Prime Video created by Pushkar-Gayathri, director duo behind the much acclaimed Vikram Vedha and directed by Bramma and Anucharan is garnering positive reception. Much of the adulation goes towards the premise. Small town murder mysteries are nothing new, but if well done one of the most interesting sub-genres. Here are some solid recommendations in this sub-genre, if you loved Suzhal.
1) Mare of Easttown
Kate Winslet’s grand come-back, Mare of Easttown follows detective Marianne “Mare” Sheehan as she investigates the recent murder of a teenage mother while trying to run away and fix her own fiddling life. The course of investigation leads her to another unsolved murder case and falling relationships. Streaming on Disney+Hotstar.
2) Fargo
This American Black comedy crime drama is inspired by the 1996 film of the same name from Coen Brothers and takes place in the same fictional universe. Each season is set in a different era and location with a different story, heavily influenced by various Coen brothers films. Streaming on Netflix.
3) True Detective
Much like Fargo, True Detective is also an anthology crime investigative thriller that spans three seasons. Each season of the series is structured has an independent narrative and follows set of crimes that occur in different locations (small towns again). The first season is a must must watch. Streaming on Disney+Hotstar.
4) Midnight Mass
This American supernatural horror series from Mike Flanagan revolves around a small town and the series of mysterious happenings in the town when a young man returns after his prison time at the same time as a mysterious and charismatic priest. Streaming on Netflix.
5) Sharp Objects
This American psychological thriller follows criminal reporter Camille Preaker who suffers from alchoholism and is recently discharged from hospital. She returns to her home-town to investigate murder of two young girls. What follows is Camille confronting the lies in her own life. Amy Adams smashes it out of the park in this show. Streaming on Disney+Hotstar.
6) The Outsider
This American psychological thriller is no different in its premise. The show is an adaptation to Stephen King’s novel of same name and revolves around Detective Ralph Anderson who solves a bizzare case where Terry Maitland, a suburban parent, is accused of a horrific murder in a small town in Georgia. Streaming on Disney+Hotstar