The River
Created by Oren Peli, Michael R. Perry
On ABC
A found-footage survival mystery that pairs family bonds with jungle horror and supernatural dread across a short, unresolved run.
Wildlife expert and TV personality Emmet Cole sets course around the world with his wife, Tess, and son, Lincoln, while filming what would become one of the most popular shows in television. After he goes missing deep in the Amazon, his family, friends and crew set out on a mysterious and deadly journey to find him.
Clusters
Where to watch
Questions people ask
Is The River scary? Yes. More frightening than 87% of series.
Is The River easy watching? Barely. Less comforting than 75% of series.
Is The River violent? Somewhat. More violent than 71% of series.
Is The River sad? Somewhat. More sad than 66% of series.
Does The River leave you hopeful? Not especially. Less hopeful than 63% 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.
Familiar shape, done well.
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 River, and what each one shares →
Like The River
Nearest across the full emotional profile.
Same Mood as The River
Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.
Like The River, But Darker
Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.
Like The River, But Lighter
Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.
Like The River, But Less Popular
Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.
