Instinct
You can't catch a killer without a little madness.
Created by Michael Rauch
On CBS
A procedural crime drama built on the partnership between a brilliant maverick consultant and a determined detective, balancing dark subject matter with the reassurance of weekly case resolution.
Dr. Dylan Reinhart, a gifted author, university professor and former CIA operative is lured back to his old life by tenacious top NYPD Detective Lizzie Needham. Though Dylan and Lizzie initially clash, when it comes to catching killers, they make an ideal team.
Where to watch
Questions people ask
Is Instinct scary? Somewhat. More frightening than 66% of series.
Is Instinct violent? Somewhat. More violent than 64% of series.
Is Instinct sad? Not especially. Less sad than 63% of series.
Does Instinct leave you hopeful? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.
Is Instinct easy watching? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.
These describe how the series comes across across its whole run, compared with other well-known series. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked episode by episode, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.
Written about
- The Opposite of HBOFinding
- The Shows That Know They EndFinding
Cinnamon Score
How much this series gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.
You have seen this shape before.
How unlike any other series this one feels
How much more it delivers than it promises
How much audiences actually like it
Ensemble
Everything like Instinct, and what each one shares →
Like Instinct
Nearest across the full emotional profile.
Same Mood as Instinct
Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.
Like Instinct, But Darker
Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.
Like Instinct, But Lighter
Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.
Like Instinct, But Less Popular
Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.
