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 which truly enhance the quality of their stories. Despite the high quality of these horror shows, they are severely underrated and have small, dedicated fanbases. 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 decided to buy the intellectual property of Rice’s novels and adapt them to TV shows. As a result, Interview with the Vampire, a gothic horror TV show, was released in 2022 on AMC Networks. The adaptation of the novel took a slightly different direction when the creators decided to make one of the main characters a Black man and fully embrace the queer elements of Rice’s work.
The show follows the story of a Black vampire named Louis de Pointe du Lac who is being interviewed by a famous journalist named Daniel Molloy. During his interview, Louis shares his background as a Creole man living in New Orleans during the Jim Crow era. He explains how he was seduced by a White veteran vampire named Lestat de Lioncourt who turned Louis into a vampire so they could become immortal companions. Eventually, another character named Claudia is introduced, which 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 have praised the series’ depth and ability to broach serious topics.
Interview with the Vampire is also the perfect Halloween show to binge-watch because the acting from the entire cast draws the viewer into the story immediately. The set and costume design is breathtaking and adds to the realism of the period, and 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. The first season was also recently launched on Netflix. Dedicated fans only wish they could experience watching Interview with the Vampire for the very first time, which 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 novel was inspired by the works of American horror fiction writer Howard Philips Lovecraft (H.P Lovecraft) and the racism experienced during the Jim Crow era. 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. He is accompanied by his Uncle George and a neighborhood friend named Letitia. Throughout their journey, they struggle to survive racist encounters, in addition to facing supernatural monsters. The overall premise of the series is the Black characters 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.
The Black horror TV show was very well received amongst Black audiences because it is rare to see a historically influenced sci-fi horror show centering on the struggles of Black people. Viewers appreciated 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 were heavy themes to unpack, Black audiences appreciated the series’ intentional writing, as it made historical accounts portrayed through the fictional characters very cathartic.
The powerful acting of the ensemble cast also evoked a lot of emotions for viewers. The set design and costume design were also very intentional about referencing Black caricature tropes during the Jim Crow era including 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 America during Jim Crow. It is great for Halloween because it is educational while incorporating 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 and works toward turning Will into a killer by influencing his psychological state.
Mads Mikkelsen’s portrayal of Hannibal has been praised by viewers who 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, which 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. The visuals of different characters’ psychological imaginations are 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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