'Nightmare fuel' series with near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score streaming now
Back in 1990, audiences across the world were asking themselves the question 'Who killed Laura Palmer?' when David Lynch's surreal murder-mystery Twin Peaks began.
Starring Kyle MacLachlan, Sherilyn Fenn, Lara Flynn Boyle, Sheryl Lee, and many more, Twin Peaks follows the investigation into the murder of local teen Laura Palmer (Lee) and the mystery that surrounds its unusual circumstances and other phenomena in the town.
The investigation is led by FBI special agent Dale Cooper (MacLachlan) who is pulled deeper and deeper into the town's secrets, uncovering far more than he bargained for when he checked into The Great Northern Hotel.
Like much of Lynch's work, Twin Peaks, created alongside Mark Frost, contains an eccentric cast of characters, supernatural themes, melodramatic storylines, and a surreal, uncanny atmosphere.
Its uniqueness is what led Twin Peaks to be such a smash hit at the time of its release and revered by fans 35 years later, and now, both seasons of the show as well as Twin Peaks: The Return can be streamed now on Mubi.
Seasons one and two, containing 30 episodes, ran from 1990 to 1991 and were followed by the prequel film Fire Walk with Me in 1992.
Sixteen years after its original run, Lynch and many of the original cast hit our screens again in Twin Peaks: The Return set 25 years after season two's devastating finale.
Twin Peaks quickly gained a devoted following and is often listed among the greatest television series of all time, as well as one of the most terrifying, thanks to the themes it tackles.
Season one holds a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with the critics' consensus reading: 'Twin Peaks plays with TV conventions to deliver a beguiling — and unsettling — blend of seemingly disparate genres, adding up to an offbeat drama with a distinctly unique appeal.'
The second season sits at 65%, while The Return has a huge 94% score.
Deputy TV editor Tom Percival says: There have been plenty of great television shows over the years: The Sopranos, The Simpsons, Breaking Bad, and Geordie Shore (okay, maybe not that last one).
Still, when journalists are curating lists of the best TV shows of all time there's one peculiar horror series that may seem a little out of place: Twin Peaks.
After all, the horror genre doesn't get a lot of love from more esteemed critical circles. Yet this strange series – which premiered 35 years ago in 1990 – is unquestionably one of the best TV shows of all time and a technical marvel that pushed the boundaries of what people thought the small screen was capable of.
Nominally the show was a mystery drama of sorts but honestly, that description doesn't do Twin Peaks justice. By design, it defied categorisation, blending supernatural and surreal elements with the theatrical tropes and cliches that defined so many beloved soaps.
Read the full review here
In their review of the show, the Sydney Morning Herald said: 'Twin Peaks has many of the elements of a soap opera: it is slow (although not vapid), has a complex plot, melodrama and a plethora of disasters. It's the weirdness, the David Lynch trademark,k which is the lure.'
Buffalo News added: 'Twin Peaks is refreshing, unsettling, funny and mystifying. If you are the very unusual TV viewer looking for something different, the first three hours should put you in the mood for more.'
Of The Return, Vox said: 'It stopped feeling like a TV show to me, at some point, and started feeling like a gift.'
Rolling Stone added: 'What we just witnessed was unmatched in the medium's history,' meanwhile, The Atlantic wrote: 'Twin Peaks remains the nightmare fuel it always has been.'
The Guardian added to the glowing praise, saying: 'The Twin Peaks revival is perfect. I'm in deep with it. It's easily the best series of the year so far. And, although this might seem like heresy to long-time fans, I think it might actually be better than the original.'
Twin Peaks' addition to Mubi comes at a poignant time following the death of its visionary creator, Lynch, earlier this year, aged 78. More Trending
The celebrated filmmaker, who was behind the likes of Mulholland Drive, The Elephant Man, died on January 15.
His cause of death was confirmed as cardiac arrest due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
The filmmaker visionary died after becoming housebound with emphysema following years of chain-smoking, and a death certificate released by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health confirmed COPD was an underlying condition suffered by the auteur.
View More »
Twin Peaks seasons one and two and Twin Peaks: The Return are available to stream now on Mubi
Got a story?
If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
MORE: WWE icon The Undertaker forced to undergo secret lifesaving surgery
MORE: All episodes of the 'funniest show on TV' are finally free to stream
MORE: TV soap star Chris Robinson dies aged 86
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
16 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Netflix fans urged to binge-watch 'brutal' crime drama with Adolescence star
Fans say that the series gets better and better with each episode Netflix fans have a popular drama available to stream that features a Adolescence Netflix viewers who were captivated by the series Adolescence are being encouraged to binge-watch a 'brutal' crime drama featuring actor Ashley Walters, known for his role as Detective Inspector Luke Bascombe in the acclaimed series. The show has been a smash hit this year and has topped the charts for Netflix subscribers in both the UK and US. Adolescence, which stars Line of Duty 's Stephen Graham and newcomer Owen Cooper, tells the chilling tale of a 13-year-old boy accused of murdering a classmate. With only four episodes, fans quickly devoured the limited series. But there's good news for those wanting more - Netflix has another title up its sleeve that might have slipped under the radar, starring Ashley as local drug dealer Dushane. The programme is British hit drama Top Boy, which originally aired on Channel 4 from 2011 to 2013. After the broadcaster decided not to renew it for a third series, it didn't take long for Netflix to swoop in to save the day in 2019. The streaming giant went on to renew the show twice more, allowing it to conclude on its own terms with a fifth series. The Netflix reboot stayed true to the original storyline, pleasing long-time fans, while also providing an easy introduction for newcomers, reports the Express. The programme, set in the heart of east London's housing estates, delves into the tension between the brazen drug gangs and those battling to lead honest lives amidst the crime-infested area. The drama unfolds through the intertwined tales of Dushane, an ambitious young drug dealer vying for the title of 'Top Boy', and Ra'Nell, a good-hearted yet vulnerable teen forced to grow up quickly following his mother's mental breakdown and subsequent absence. With a Rotten Tomatoes score that never dips below 90 per cent across all five series, and both the first and last instalments boasting a perfect 100 per cent, it's clear this show is a hit. Overall, Top Boy holds a stellar rating of 97 per cent. The show continues to resonate with fans, sparking conversations about societal issues, much like Adolescence.
Metro
17 hours ago
- Metro
Home Alone director reveals why a reboot would be a huge ‘mistake'
Chris Columbus has shed light on why Home Alone 'should be left alone' and not rebooted. The iconic Christmas film was released in 1990 and catapulted Macaulay Culkin to superstardom as youngster Kevin McCallister, who is left to fend for himself when his family accidentally go on holiday without him. His quick-thinking saves the day when he's forced to go up against bumbling burglars Harry (Joe Pesci) and Marv (Daniel Stern), who learn the hard way not to mess with kids during the holidays. The movie was a huge success and went on to spawn an equally epic sequel the following year – with Disney dropping a fresh take on the classic in 2021. However, when questioned on whether he would want to see any further remakes, director Chris insisted that it would be a 'mistake' to go back. Appearing at the premiere for his new Netflix movie, The Thursday Murder Club, he told Entertainment Tonight: 'I think Home Alone really exists not as this timepiece, but it was very special moment. You can't really recapture that. 'I think it's a mistake to try to go back and recapture something we did 35 years ago. I think it should be left alone.' Sharing his surprise that the movie is so beloved more than three decades on, he added: 'When we were making Home Alone, we wanted people to still enjoy the movie 20 years down the road, but we had no concept that it would still be this locomotive that keeps keeps going after all these years. 'It's a very nostalgic experience for a lot of people, it's great.' The franchise was remade in 2021 with Archie Yates playing youngster Max, who – like Kevin – was accidentally left behind when his family swanned off to Japan. He was having the time of his life with his new-found freedom until a couple set their sights on his home, hoping to retrieve a priceless heirloom. Home Sweet Home Alone didn't quite capture the magic of the original film, and was brutally panned by both fans and professionals. More Trending It currently commands a 13% Rotten Tomatoes score from the audience, compared to a slightly higher critics mark of 15%. 'A disgrace to Home Alone,' viewer BlueTop B fumed, as Amilia P agreed: 'One of the worst movies I've ever seen.' 'It really is very remarkably bad,' Tim L complained. As Logan D added: 'If I could give it zero stars I would, just watch the original.' Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: The most iconic Fast and Furious villain is still 'waiting for a call' to appear in sequel MORE: The first 'feel-good' body horror left me thinking about its extreme scenes for days MORE: I don't think Materialists is a rom-com – it's something new entirely
Daily Mirror
18 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Netflix users share 'most underrated' crime drama with 'incredible acting'
Netflix fans have been searching through the streaming service's catalogue to find the best hidden gems, and one 'absolutely incredible' particular show is getting a lot of love Netflix boasts an enormous library of films and series covering a wide variety of genres, including content in multiple languages. There's something suit every TV enthusiast, whether you're into true crime, action-packed thrillers or laugh-out-loud comedies. Some blockbuster programmes and movies dominate many Netflix subscribers' viewing lists and receive widespread promotion across social media platforms, such as Wednesday, Stranger Things and Bridgerton. However, the streaming giant's vast collection also contains a number of lesser-known gems that audiences have discovered to be surprisingly captivating viewing. With such an extensive selection of series and films available, there are inevitably some brilliant hidden treasures waiting to be found. A Reddit user recently asked fellow forum members to share the "most underrated" Netflix show they have found. The user went on to explain that they occasionally stumble upon programmes they've never heard of before, only to find themselves enjoying them far more than anticipated. The streaming fan continued: "I am curious if anyone else has had this experience. What is the most underrated show you have discovered on Netflix that more people should watch?" The post attracted more than 400 responses, with the top suggestion being the 2019 drama series Unbelievable, starring Kaitlyn Dever, Merritt Wever and Toni Colette. Netflix's description of the show reads: "After a young woman is accused of lying about a rape, two female detectives investigate a spate of eerily similar attacks. Inspired by true events." It describes the programme as "bittersweet" and "emotional." The eight-part series boasts an outstanding 98 per cent rating on Rotten Tomatoes alongside an 8.3 out of 10 score on IMDb. Several Reddit users have expressed their views on Unbelievable. One wrote: "Absolutely incredible show with incredible acting. I've watched it multiple times, even though it's a tough watch." Another remarked: "Depressing and amazing at the same time." A third added: "Love this show. Great characters." Responding to the suggestion about Unbelievable, another Reddit user declared: "I was coming to suggest Unbelievable too!" A second reply states: "True that, [I] started watching this a few days ago and it's so underrated." The programme was jointly created by Susannah Grant, Ayelet Waldman and Michael Chabon. It draws from the 2015 news article 'An Unbelievable Story of Rape' written by T. Christian Miller and Ken Armstrong concerning the Washington and Colorado serial rape incidents between 2008 and 2011. Unbelievable received a nomination in the International section of the BAFTA TV Awards in 2020 along with numerous other honours, including the Critics Choice Awards, Golden Globes USA and Primetime Emmy Awards. Toni Collette secured victory at the Critics Choice Awards in 2020 for her role in Unbelievable, claiming the Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television award.
