Looking for your next addictive binge after ‘Beef’ on Netflix? Though there is nothing quite as violently surreal as ‘Beef’, there have been many attempts at rewriting conventional genres. These are the 10 shows that capture the dark comedy with intense drama and narrative tension that we all loved in ‘Beef’.
10. The End of the F***ing World
17-year-old James believes he’s a psychopath and decides to embrace that identity by planning to murder his classmate. Alyssa, an angry and impulsive teen, goes along with him, seeing the plan less as a threat and more as a chance to escape her dysfunctional home.
The two form an unlikely bond and set off on a road trip in search of Alyssa’s father, but things quickly take a darker turn. The underlying angst, combined with the unsettling dynamic of a would-be killer and a willing “victim,” keeps the tension high. Alex Lawther and Jessica Barden’s chemistry is the cherry on top.
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9. The Bear
After his brother’s death, talented haute cuisine chef Carmen is forced to return home to run his family’s sandwich shop. The problem? The chaos of this kitchen is nothing like the precision of Michelin-starred restaurants.
Carmen must navigate his brother’s unresolved debts, a rundown kitchen, and an unruly staff, all while grappling with his own grief and trauma. While the premise may sound bleak, the show takes you on a rollercoaster ride, shifting from intensely riveting and painful moments to surprisingly joyful ones.
8. The Glory
This South Korean psychological thriller strips everything down to deliver pure, satisfying revenge. Moon Dong-eun, a former victim of brutal school violence that derailed her life, dedicates herself entirely to taking down her bullies.
With nothing left to lose, Dong-eun sets her plan in motion—starting by infiltrating her bully’s world as a teacher at her child’s school. ‘The Glory‘ presents a protagonist pushed to the brink by social inequality and cruelty, now determined to flip the narrative and dismantle her enemies’ perfect lives piece by piece.
7. The Righteous Gemstones
The titular Gemstone family, led by patriarch Eli Gemstone, runs a massive megachurch empire that has made them incredibly wealthy and powerful. For them, faith is business. Yes, a means to gain even more influence.
But that power comes with its fair share of excess and moral compromise. From scandals and rivalries to a deeply dysfunctional family shaped by wealth and corruption, ‘The Righteous Gemstones‘ has it all. Much like ‘Beef,’ it offers a sharp satirical lens… This time aimed at religion, faith, and hypocrisy.
6. The White Lotus
Set at the luxurious White Lotus resort, each season follows the lives of its guests and staff over the course of a week. It’s a place where the wealthy come to indulge their worst, most entitled impulses.
But beneath the veneer of a relaxing vacation, a darker complexity begins to surface. The seemingly perfect travelers, the ever-smiling employees, and even the idyllic setting itself hide massive secrets. This black comedy is a must-watch for fans of sharp social commentary that dissects class and hierarchy.
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5. You’re the Worst
This comedy-drama explores modern love and happiness through the eyes of people who’ve failed at both. Jimmy, a self-involved writer, strikes up an unlikely relationship with Gretchen, a self-destructive PR executive. Bonding over their cynical views on life, love, and friendship in Los Angeles, the two form a connection that’s as messy as it is compelling.
The show puts a dark twist on the romantic comedy genre, delving into fear, heartbreak, romance, and friendship through their evolving relationship. It’s a refreshingly unconventional watch for fans of the genre.
4. Your Friends & Neighbors
Rich financier Coop is still coming to terms with his divorce when he’s suddenly fired in disgrace. Desperate to maintain the lifestyle he’s grown used to, he turns to crime as his only option.
He begins stealing from his wealthy neighbors to keep himself and his family afloat, but in the process, uncovers the secrets hidden behind their polished lives. Soon, Coop finds himself entangled in something far more dangerous than he anticipated. If you’re looking for a series that keeps the tension high, ‘Your Friends & Neighbors‘ is a must-watch.
3. Barry
Comedic icon Bill Hader stars as Barry, a depressed hitman who’s grown disillusioned with killing yet another “mark.” While tracking a target, he unexpectedly finds himself inside an L.A. acting class, one that quickly becomes a strange kind of sanctuary.
Drawn to this new world, Barry begins to question his path and imagine a different life. But as he inches toward change, his handler has other plans. Much like ‘Beef,’ the show follows a protagonist driven by impulse and desire, constantly blurring the lines of morality.
2. After Life
Newspaper reporter Tony Johnson’s life is turned upside down after his wife dies from breast cancer. Though he briefly contemplates suicide, he instead comes up with a darker coping mechanism.
Tony decides to live without filters—saying and doing whatever he wants, regardless of how it affects others—as a way of punishing the world for his loss. The protagonist of ‘After Life‘ reflects the same kind of impulsive anger and emotional turmoil that made Beef so compelling.
1. Dead to Me
When Jen, a newly widowed woman, meets Judy at a grief support group, the two quickly form an unlikely friendship. Jen is mourning her husband, killed in a hit-and-run, while Judy claims to be grieving her fiancé, who died of a heart attack, or so she says.
As Jen begins to investigate her husband’s death, she edges closer to uncovering a devastating secret, one that could destroy her bond with Judy. With its focus on loss, grief, and forgiveness, the series offers the same emotionally charged complexity that fans of Beef will appreciate.
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