The monsoon is here and with it we have the perfect reason to curl up on the couch with a hot beverage and a fun snack and binge watch a series that will blow our minds. At least, that is what I’m doing. I find it immensely satisfying to watch something at the end of the day. It just gives you something to look forward to and you also have a story in your head for times when you need a distraction.
Available on Amazon Prime, the series I’m recommending today are all worth your time. I guarantee you will not be able to watch just a single episode and turn off the TV and go to bed. Mostly thrillers with one comedy thrown in the mix, the five series that I have listed here will have you glued to your seat.
Dupahiya
Featuring the fabulous actor Gajraj Rao widely known for his role in the Neena Gupta starrer ‘Badhai Ho’, Dupahiya is a comedy and satire on the dowry system that is still prevalent in many places across India and Nepal. When the groom’s family asks for a fancy motorbike as dowry, the girl’s family scrambles to get one. But the bike gets stolen and this puts the villagers in a mad frenzy to find it, especially since the village has been crime free for 25 years and all set to be rewarded for it. The characters are well fleshed out and the plot is gripping and fun. It has both light moments as well as emotional scenes. It’s a great mix. You will enjoy this light-hearted series that raises an important issue.
Reacher
Based on Lee Child’s thriller novels, Reacher follows retired military officer Jack Reacher as he gets arrested for a murder he did not commit. He finds himself in the midst of a deadly conspiracy and also on a quest for revenge. The series has an eight out of ten rating on IMDb and is filled with suspense right from the start. Starring Alan Ritchson as Jack Reacher, the series has three seasons with eight episodes each. The third season came out in 2025. The first season is based on the book ‘Killing Floor’ and premiered in 2022. Reacher is an intriguing character. He is smart and courageous and his dialogues and body language make him even more compelling. You will enjoy getting to know him but you will never be able to predict what he does next and that is where all the fun lies.
The Continental
This limited series has just three episodes but each episode is over an hour long so it’s almost like watching a movie. Spoiler alert: the stage is already set for a second season as the ending shows the possibility of the story becoming even more intense. The Continental is a chain of hotels around the world that is a neutral ground for members of the underworld. Starring Mel Gibson, this action-crime series follows Winston Scott, played by Colin Woodell, as he puts together a team to take over the infamous hotel after his brother is killed in a conspiracy. There’s a lot of drama, action, witty dialogues, and stunning cinematography in this series that can get a bit too violent at times. There is an old world charm to The Continental that makes it different from the rest of the series on this list.
Suzhal: The Vortex
This is a Tamil series that has two seasons. My issue with series that are dubbed in Hindi or English from another language is that the dialogues feel a little out of sync. I recently watched a Tamil series dubbed in Hindi that had a really good plot but the dialogues of the main character infuriated me, so much so that I couldn’t stand watching the actor on screen. I was skeptical about Suzhal: The Vortex as well since it’s also a Tamil series dubbed in Hindi but it had an 8.1 rating on IMDb and as my friends like to say I’m an IMDb snob. If there’s something that is highly rated on it, I have to watch it. I’m glad I decided to watch the series as it’s engaging and tense. Set against the backdrop of a unique festival, the viewers are drawn into the eye of the storm where myths and faith rule over logic and humanity. The second season starts where the first left off but you don’t have to watch the first to watch the second. I watched both back to back and can’t decide which one I loved more.
Alex Cross
Alex Cross is a crime, mystery, thriller series written by bestselling author James Patterson. The protagonist is Alex Cross, an African-American police officer who is also a single father. In the Amazon Prime series, Cross, along with his partner, comes across a sadistic serial killer who is targeting people who look like serial killers. Cross is also dealing with his own demons and trying to find his wife’s killer while rushing against time to save the serial killer’s latest victim who he believes is still alive. If you have read Patterson’s books or read thrillers regularly, the plot might be a little predictable but it’s still gripping and fun while it lasts. The characters are relatable, each battling their personal problems and biases. There’s a lot of family dynamics at play too and that makes for a nice little side story. All in all, Alex Cross is a series you might want to binge watch this weekend when you don’t want to do much else.