All 3 Seasons of An Underrated Thriller Series Are a Hit on Netflix, 4 Years After Prime Video Cancelled It

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A new thriller is quickly becoming popular on Netflix, even though it hasn’t received great reviews and was cancelled by its original network, Prime. Surprisingly, it’s climbed to number 2 on Netflix’s Top 10 list, surpassing the latest season of Stranger Things, which is currently at number 3.

The show Absentia gained a dedicated following, particularly after its first season. It follows FBI agent Emily Byrne, who vanishes while tracking a serial killer terrorizing Boston. Presumed dead after an extensive search, Byrne reappears six years later, found severely injured and with amnesia in a remote cabin. Returning home, she discovers her husband has remarried and is raising their son with his new wife. Shortly after her return, Byrne becomes the prime suspect in a fresh wave of murders.

Absentia Is Nothing Groundbreaking, But Still Leaves You Wanting More

The show Absentia isn’t necessarily flawed in its basic storyline, which is comparable to many other dark crime dramas. However, critic Chris Osterndorf of The Daily Dot argues that it’s too ordinary and predictable, ultimately making it a poor viewing experience. Many viewers find the series excessively violent and disturbing, particularly scenes involving the torture of the main character, Emily Byrne. Despite this, Mark Dawidziak believes the show’s compelling questions and strong acting are enough to keep viewers engaged, provided they aren’t already tired of the serial killer genre.

One Reddit user highly recommends stopping after the first season, calling it the best and noting they initially watched it because they’re a fan of Stana Katic from her role in ‘Castle.’ They admit the show declines in quality over the next two seasons, but still finds them enjoyable enough to be worth watching. Another viewer was more critical, hoping the show would address issues of victim-blaming given the harsh treatment the main character received upon her return. However, they felt the show ultimately resolved everything too neatly, and were frustrated by a complicated villain storyline and numerous plot holes created for the sake of misleading twists.

The ending of the show Absentia left some viewers disappointed, but lead actress Stana Katic addressed their concerns on X (formerly Twitter). She explained that while continuing the story had been considered, the show was always planned to last three seasons, and she felt it concluded perfectly, especially for fans of the main character, Emily. The show is the type where whether or not you like it really comes down to personal preference, but it’s still an enjoyable way to spend some time.

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2025-12-01 02:18