Halloween is fast approaching! If you’re ready to get into the Halloween mood, it’s the perfect time to turn on some horror TV shows. There are many to choose from, but we would like to highlight three underrated shows worth binge-watching. These shows have great writing, acting, and set and costume designs that truly enhance the quality of their stories. Despite the high quality of these horror shows, they are severely underrated. Let’s explore why these three underrated shows are a must-watch during Halloween.
‘Interview with the Vampire’
Anne Rice is a recently deceased and beloved gothic American author who was famously known for her 1976 novel, Interview with the Vampire. The novel became so popular that it was adapted into a movie of the same name in 1994.
Fast forward to 2020, when AMC Networks bought the intellectual property of Rice’s novels and adapted them to TV shows. As a result, AMC Networks released Interview with the Vampire, a gothic horror TV show, in 2022. The novel adaptation took a slightly different direction. The creators made one of the main characters a Black man and fully embraced the queer elements of Rice’s work.
The show follows the story of a Black vampire named Louis de Pointe du Lac. A famous journalist named Daniel Molloy interviews him throughout the series. During his interview, Louis shares his background as a Creole man living in New Orleans during the Jim Crow era. He explains how a White veteran vampire named Lestat de Lioncourt seduced and turned him into a vampire so they could become immortal companions. Eventually, the show introduces another character named Claudia, who only complicates the relationship between Louis and Lestat.
The show explores Louis’ struggle with his newfound vampirism, facing racism as a business owner during Jim Crow, embracing his sexuality as a gay Black man, becoming a parent to Claudia, and the difficulties of his interracial relationship with Lestat. Fans praise the series’ depth and ability to broach serious topics.
Interview with the Vampire is the perfect Halloween show to binge-watch because the entire cast’s acting draws the viewer into the story immediately. The set and costume design is breathtaking and adds to the realism of the period. Additionally, the cinematography keeps you glued to the gothic horror as New Orleans provides the perfect backdrop for vampires to thrive. Most importantly, the writing shines because it allows the actors to deliver some of the most dramatic and emotive dialogues ever seen on a TV show.
The best part for newfound viewers is that there are already two seasons available on AMC Networks. Netflix recently added the first season to its platform. Dedicated fans only wish they could experience watching Interview with the Vampire for the very first time. This makes it the perfect show to binge this Halloween season.
‘Lovecraft Country’
Lovecraft Country is another horror TV show that is based on a 2016 Black horror novel by American author Mathew Ruff. The works of American horror fiction writer Howard Phillips Lovecraft (H.P Lovecraft) and the racism during the Jim Crow era inspired the novel.
The beginning of the story follows a Black man named Atticus Freeman who embarks on a journey to locate his missing father during the 1950s Jim Crow era. His Uncle George and a neighborhood friend, Letitia, accompany him on the journey. Throughout their journey, they struggle to survive racist encounters, in addition to facing supernatural monsters.
The premise of the series is that the Black characters are coming to terms with the existence of magic, which the White characters already utilize and practice. Over time, the Black characters learn that this magic was stolen from their ancestry, and they work towards reclaiming it and using it to fight against racist attacks.
Black audiences are positively receptive to the Black horror TV show. This is mainly because it is rare to witness a historically influenced sci-fi horror show centering on the struggles of Black people. Viewers appreciate the historical references, including the experience of sundown towns, the aftermath of the tragic death of Emmet Till, and the reenactment of the 1921 Tulsa race massacre. Even though these are heavy scenes to unpack, Black audiences appreciate the series’ intentional writing. It makes historical accounts portrayed through the fictional characters very cathartic.
The ensemble cast’s powerful acting also evokes a lot of emotions for viewers. Additionally, the set and costume design intentionally reference Black caricature Jim Crow tropes. This includes the mammy trope, the Aunt Jemima stereotype, and depictions of Black girls as pickaninny dolls.
Lovecraft Country is the ideal Black horror show that everyone should watch to better understand the history of racism in Jim Crow America. It is great for Halloween because it is educational and incorporates the use of magic as symbolism to discuss the marginalization of Black people. If you have yet to experience this masterpiece, be sure to binge all 10 episodes available on Max.
‘Hannibal’
Hannibal is a psychological horror TV show that is based on a series of novels by American writer Thomas Harris. Harris’ novels were first adapted into several films, including The Silence of the Lambs, which gained acclaim for Anthony Hopkins’ portrayal of the infamous character Hannibal Lecter.
Hannibal, the show, premiered on NBC in 2013 and lasted for three seasons. The show follows Will Graham who is recruited by the FBI to help profile and investigate serial killer cases. Will has a unique ability to empathize with anyone and decipher their motives, including psychopaths. As a result, Jack Crawford, the head of Behavioral Sciences at the FBI, has Will supervised by a forensic psychiatrist named Hannibal Lecter. Unbeknownst to both Jack and Will, Hannibal is a cannibalistic serial killer who manipulates their investigation. Hannibal works toward turning Will into a killer through psychological manipulation.
Viewers praise Mads Mikkelsen’s portrayal of Hannibal because they appreciate his artistic expression of the character. This is also attributed to the writing of the show, which creates dialogue that sounds like pure poetry.
The undeniable chemistry between the ensemble cast, especially between the characters of Hannibal and Will, is an additional highlight of the series. Some fans view their relationship as a romantic courtship. This masks the danger of Hannibal as a serial killer who eats his victims. The cinematography also contributes to this illusion because the dinner parties Hannibal hosts are quite luxurious. His food aesthetic draws in viewers, making it easy to forget that he is feeding human meat to the other oblivious characters.
Hannibal is a definite Halloween must-watch due to the artistic expression of his crime scenes, which are beautifully displayed. Different characters’ psychological imaginations are visually eerie but breathtaking to witness. The musical score throughout each episode only enhances the tension and adds intensity to the storyline. Ultimately, every component of the show is a beautiful harmony that must be witnessed. If you have yet to see it, you are in for a treat. Be sure to experience this artistry currently streaming on Prime Video.
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