In recent years, television has developed a taste for the strange, and Pluribus is its latest obsession. The synopsis is deceptively simple: “The most miserable person on earth must save humanity from a happiness epidemic.” But if you're up to date with the series, you'll know that what follows is anything but.
Looking for shows that live in that same unsettling space? Luckily, there are plenty of those. From psychological thrillers to speculative sci-fi, these are the six shows like Pluribus that that scratch the same itch.
Severance
If you haven't already watched the first two seasons, what have you been doing? Severance follows employees who undergo a controversial procedure that separates their “work” and “life” memories – naturally, with significant consequences. There are two seasons out now, with a third en route, taking on a chilling meditation on autonomy and corporate power. It’s thrilling and unsettling in the same way Pluribus is — you never quite feel safe inside the Lumon offices.
Where to watch: Apple TV
Breaking Bad
Before Pluribus, creator Vince Gilligan made his name with Breaking Bad, a masterclass in morally complex storytelling. While Pluribus examines happiness as a system of control, Breaking Bad shows how power and desperation can turn an ordinary man into someone capable of pretty intense things.
Where to watch: Stan, Apple TV
Black Mirror
The OG psychological thriller. Like Pluribus, Black Mirror examines the systems and technological advances designed to improve us — only to reveal how controlling, isolating, and unsettling they really are. We've also made a list of our favourite episodes, if you need help knowing where to start.
Where to watch: Netflix
Silo
Another Apple TV masterpiece. In Silo, humanity survives in an underground bunker, convinced the outside world is toxic. But as engineer Juliette Nichols investigates a string of mysterious deaths, long-buried secrets about the Silo — and exactly how it came to be — slowly come to light.
Where to watch: Apple TV
Humans
If you thought the people in Pluribus' 'The Joined' had a robotic quality, Humans takes it one step further. This series explores what happens when artificial beings (called 'Synths') become emotionally indistinguishable from humans.The story centres on the Hawkins family, who get a Synth named Anita, only to discover she's part of a group of advanced, conscious Synths. This sets off a chain of thrilling, emotional, and philosophical conflicts.
Where to watch: Prime Video
The Last Man On Earth
This has more of a comedic tone than Pluribus, but similar themes nonetheless. What starts as a dark comedy about Phil Miller, who believes he’s the last human after a global pandemic, soon turns into a story about connection and survival. As he discovers other survivors, the series examines how people navigate loneliness and cling to hope in the most extreme circumstances.
Where to watch: Disney Plus
