The Following
Killer instinct.
Created by Kevin Williamson
On FOX
A high-tension crime thriller built on the cat-and-mouse pursuit of a charismatic serial killer and his expanding cult network, sustained across three seasons of escalating paranoia and violence.
Notorious serial killer Joe Carroll, after being found guilty of murdering 14 female students on the Virginia college campus where he taught literature, escapes from death row. The FBI calls former agent Ryan Hardy to consult on the case, as he was the one responsible for Carroll’s capture in 2003. Ryan, working closely with an FBI team, including Mike Weston and FBI Specialist Debra Parker, piece together the ever-growing web of murders orchestrated by the devious Carroll.
Clusters
Where to watch
Questions people ask
Is The Following scary? Yes, very. More frightening than 98% of series.
Is The Following violent? Yes, very. More violent than 95% of series.
Is The Following easy watching? Barely. Less comforting than 88% of series.
Does The Following leave you hopeful? Barely. Less hopeful than 88% of series.
Is The Following sad? Somewhat. More sad than 66% of series.
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 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 The Following, and what each one shares →
Like The Following
Nearest across the full emotional profile.
Same Mood as The Following
Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.
Like The Following, But Darker
Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.
Like The Following, But Lighter
Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.
Like The Following, But Less Popular
Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.
