FX’s “Grotesquerie” delves into a complex the story of the serial killer said through the eyes of an ultra-successful detective named Lois Tryon. When a series of disturbing murders begin to appear in the neighborhood, Lois begins to suspect that they have something to do with her personal life. The more the investigator dives into the case, the more she begins to lose control of reality, her relationships, and her crippling case of alcoholism. However, things get even more interesting when a nun from the church, Sister Megan, begins teaming up with her to solve crimes that bear an uncanny resemblance to something out of a religious text.

Created by Ryan Murphy, Jon Robin Baitz and Joe Baken, the thriller The show captures a tense environment rarely found in crime fiction of this genre, especially in the way it underpins every aspect of the story. What’s more, there’s a sense of trepidation and dread that never leaves the screen during Lois’ search, making her discovery of the killer all the more intriguing and often bordering on the supernatural. So, to meet the demand for more out-of-the-box narratives that walk the fine line between psychological horror and high drama, here’s a list of shows like “Grotesquerie” that you need to watch.

10. The Watcher (2022-)

“The Watcher” centers on a married couple who become victims of a stalker named The Watcher after they move into a new home in Westfield, New Jersey. Afterwards, they must face the psychological fears and anxieties associated with the sinister letters sent by their stalker, who follows them at every turn, turning their lives into a voyeuristic nightmare.

The thriller show is based on a 2018 report titled “The Haunting of a Dream House” by Reeves Wiedeman and was brought to life by creators Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, the former sharing the same credit for “Grotesquerie.” As such, there must be some parallels between both shows, particularly in their exploration of contemporary fears surrounding the declining nature of society and the inner belief that things are only getting worse. A tense atmosphere is created that plays into the creepy aspect of the stalker’s schemes.

9. Hemlock Grove (2013-2015)

The horror The thriller “Hemlock Grove” is an adaptation of Brian McGreevy’s 2012 novel of the same name, which follows the exploits of Peter and Roman, two boys who become suspects in a murder investigation involving a young girl. Afterwards, the pair decide to join forces to uncover the real culprit and clear their name. Created by Brian McGreevy, the show takes some cues from “Grotesquerie,” particularly in the way a series of highly exaggerated and exaggerated claims become part of the central mystery. A lot of questions arise from the nature of the crime itself and the inclusion of the two protagonists in the business. As a result, it becomes more personal and messy, which parallels many of the core concepts of the FX series.

8. Ratched (2020)

‘Ratched‘ dives into the origins titular nurse character from the 1975 film “One flew over the cuckoo’s nest‘ by Miloš Forman, which was based on the novel of the same name written by Ken Kesey. The show was created by Evan Romansky and takes a complicated look at Ratched’s life as she becomes part of the staff of a mental hospital and her subsequent slow descent into a dark and disturbing figure. His intriguing and unconventional character development shares some reference points with “Grotesquerie”. However, above all, both stories do not shy away from portraying morally ambiguous characters walking an unwavering path where only troubled waters await, making them synonymous with each other.

7. Marianne (2019)

Created by Samuel Bodin, the French horror show”Marianna‘ tells the story of a young novelist named Emma, ​​who finds her worst nightmare coming true as the characters in her horror novel begin to invade the real world. With the blurring of the lines between reality and fiction, a lot of psychological tension and fear is created for the protagonist, who tries to find the root cause before more harm is done. While “Grotesquerie” may have a more investigative angle to its narrative, both shows are brilliant in depicting the paranoia that spreads from a central character who is not in control of their world. As their grip on their surroundings loosens, so does the darkness around them and the resulting shifting of the tectonic plates beneath their feet, resulting in some interesting stories worth diving into.

6. Servant (2019-2023)

‘Servant‘ focuses on a young Philadelphia couple, Dorothy and Sean Turner, whose loss of their son, Jericho, prompts them to replace the boy with a reincarnated doll. Dorothy finds solace in the doll’s presence as she goes through a complete psychological breakdown after her son’s death. However, after the couple hires a new eighteen-year-old nanny named Leanne to live with them, things begin to go wrong inside the house as an unknown and inexplicable force begins to haunt the family and their peace.

Brought to life by Tony Basgallop, with M. Night Shyamalan serving as showrunner, the horror drama is a unique companion piece to “Grotesquerie,” especially the way it explores personal insecurities amid a dark and disturbing presence that plagues the central characters. It also shows how the surreal and mundane worlds intersect, especially when people’s psyches are involved as the weight of their grievances propels them toward macabre news.

5. Wayward Pines (2015-2016)

Developed by Chad Hodge, “Wayward Pines” follows a Secret Service agent named Ethan Burke who finds himself in a nightmare scenario where he is trapped in a small town where he is forbidden to leave against all odds. Things get complicated and surreal when Burke learns that his ex-girlfriend, Kate Hewson, is living in the quiet surroundings of the city. Afterwards, the agent begins an investigation to find out the whereabouts of two of his colleagues, while also trying to find a way to escape the city premises.

Fans of “Grotesquerie” will understand the whimsical yet tense environment of “Wayward Pines,” where nothing is as it seems and everything seems strangely abnormal. The show is an adaptation of Blake Crouch’s series of novels of the same name, which delves into a science fiction story with several downsides. The layered structure and concept of the premise create a sense of dread that seeps through every second of the mystery, making for an intriguing watch that maintains interest despite its forays into confusing territory.

4. From (2022-)

“From” is a science fiction Horror show about a group of people trapped in a mysterious city, where dark and unpleasant creatures come out at night to haunt the inhabitants. The story is told from the point of view of Sheriff Boyd Stevens and members of the Matthews family, who are swallowed up by the city’s dark web and try to survive as best they can.

Created by John Griffin, the psychologically challenging themes of “From” are perfect for those looking for more of the twisted narrative style at work in “Grotesquerie.” Both shows light on a very similar tone and an engrossing mystery-driven storyline that never lets the audience breathe or relax amid the many unknowns at play. It’s also strangely sinister, which adds to the immersion and sense of dread.

3. The Outsider (2020)

inthe exterior,A small town detective named Ralph Anderson is involved in investigating the murder of a boy. Although it seems simple at first, the mystery descends into unforeseen territory, where the protagonist begins to question everything he knows about reality. The more Anderson pushes for the truth, the more obvious it becomes that something else lurks in the shadows with an inexplicable origin.

In a similar fashion to “Grotesquerie,” “The Outsider” takes a relatively simple crime mystery premise and elevates it to an increasingly terrifying and complex narrative where nothing makes sense except for the possibility of the supernatural. It’s based on Stephen King’s novel of the same name and doubles down on its creepy and disturbing source material, putting even more emphasis on the protagonist’s journey into madness. Intriguingly, both shows feature a central tension in the plot that revolves around the natural and the unnatural.

2. Bates Motel (2013-2017)

Developed by Carlton Cuse, Kerry Ehrin and Anthony Cipriano, “Bates Motel” is a prequel to Alfred Hitchcock’s horror thriller “Psycho,” which was based on Robert Bloch’s 1959 novel of the same name. The show follows the titular protagonist, Norman Bates, as he buys a motel in the town of White Pine Bay, where he starts a new life with his mother, Norma, after the death of his father. It features a dark and personal story where crime and drama intertwine in ways that lead to a chaotic and often inexplicable narrative filled with an ambiguous tone. To this end, there are similarities between the unique atmosphere captured in the series and “Grotesquerie”, where the gruesome subjects are never far from the central thematic ideas.

1. Hannibal (2013-2015)

FBI Special Investigator Will Graham’s life is changed when he meets a forensic psychiatrist Dr. Hannibal Lecter in the psychological thriller series “Hannibal,” based on the characters and stories featured in Thomas Harris’ novels about the titular serial killer. Thanks to his special ability to empathize with killers, Graham is wanted by his superiors to solve several murder cases in the Maryland area. However, the more he sinks into gruesome deaths, the more he begins to lose himself, which is where Hannibal steps in to help him recalibrate his mindset. Over the course of the narrative, they begin to build a special bond, even though Graham has no idea of ​​Hannibal’s hidden nature.

There are a lot of similarities and parallels that can be drawn between “Grotesquerie” and “Hannibal”, not the least of which is the idea of ​​a central character who is emotionally and psychologically connected to the crimes surrounding their professional life. As a result, their identities begin to merge with the decay of society around them, which reflects back in disturbing ways. If not the tonal and thematic similarities, there are also plenty of twists and turns spread throughout both shows, where the narrative always feels balanced on a knife’s edge.

Read more: Grotesquerie Finale Recap and Ending Explained: Is Lois Stuck in Her Dreams?