The Best Limited Series To Binge In A Weekend

Summary

• Limited series offer complete stories in a season—ideal for binge-watching.
• Chernobyl is a somber, historically accurate portrayal of the nuclear disaster.
• The White Lotus, Dopesick, & Kidding offer unique and complete narratives in their limited series.

The great thing about limited series is that they have a very definitive start and end point, encapsulated in a single season. They are unlike traditional TV series, which will often run as long as their popularity allows, either being drawn out long past the point of interest or ending unceremoniously with plot points up in the air.

Of course, not all series fall into this trap, but with a limited series, fans know where they stand. They are getting the complete story, usually in around six episodes, which is ideal for binge-watching. For any self-respecting couch potatoes lucky enough to have a free weekend on the horizon, consider these, the best limited series to binge-watch over a weekend.

10

Chernobyl

Severe Nuclear Disaster

Fair warning, nobody promised the viewing would necessarily be fun, and, in fact, a lot of these series are pretty dour stories based on real-world events. Chernobyl is the first of those on this list, based on Ukraine’s nuclear disaster in 1986. This was one of only two nuclear accidents in global history listed as maximum severity, with the other being Japan’s Fukushima disaster in 2011.

This miniseries was met with overwhelming acclaim upon release for its tense, somber mood and delicate handling of the subject matter. It’s a largely historically accurate, horrific, and moving retelling of the events and aftermath, but it is something of a slow-burn thriller that will likely make it not for everyone.

9

The White Lotus

Light-Hearted Murder Mystery

The White Lotus is docked a few places because it only half meets the definition, given that there are now three full seasons of the show. That said, each season is a self-contained story, meaning each one essentially acts as its own limited series, with very minimal crossover.

TV enthusiasts looking to digest a whole season in a weekend could choose any one of the three without needing any prior insight, and the longest season is only eight episodes, making it a short commitment. Fans are sure to be divided on the disparate stories, but the first season is probably still the best and the shortest, making it the ideal choice for this list.

8

Dopesick

US Opioid Epidemic

Dopesick tells the sickening story of Perdue Pharma and the scandal the company was swept up in regarding its prescription painkiller, OxyContin. The issues were not regarding the efficacy of the drug, but rather how it was sold. Reps were given excessive sales incentives to push the product on doctors, which led to its being widely overprescribed.

To make matters worse, Perdue actively misrepresented and disguised key data surrounding the potency of the drug, dramatically underselling its addictive capabilities. Dopesick explores both the shady business practices and some heartbreaking accounts of people whose lives were ruined when they were incorrectly prescribed the drug after seeking medical attention.

7

WeCrashed

Pretentious Jargon

Another story of shady business practices, this time with a very different angle that exposes some key flaws in a capitalist system. WeCrashed tells the story of the eccentric We Work founder and his frankly bonkers ascent to the pinnacle of business on a platform with incredibly flimsy foundations.

The company somehow succeeded despite an excessively unstable business model as the silver-tongued CEO manages to convince investor after investor to buy into his continually crumbling enterprise. Two great performances from the co-leads, Jared Leto and Anne Hathaway, really sell the baffling narrative of a power couple who somehow triumph on arrogance alone in the face of incompetence. Although it’s fair to say they do have a few major missteps along the way.

6

Under The Banner Of Heaven

Mormon Religious Fundamentalism

Under the Banner of Heaven tells the true story of the Lafferty brothers, who belong to a very influential family in their local Mormon community. As the brothers take over the patriarchal reigns of the family, they begin to be drawn in by radical interpretations of their faith and anti-government rhetoric.

Believing himself to be the new ‘Lion of the Lord,’ the eldest brother, Ron, takes on a messianic role among his direct followers, as rhetoric quickly turns to terror when the brothers turn to ‘blood atoning’ the unrighteous members of their community. The series explores the conflict between faith and law enforcement in these religious communities and the frightening consequences of authority going unchecked.

5

Unbelievable

Victim Blaming

Another solemn true account, this time regarding the failure of law enforcement to prosecute serious crimes against women. Unbelievable is based on a Pulitzer Prize-winning article about a young woman who was pressured by law enforcement to recant her charge of rape. She was subsequently charged with submitting a false police report, facing professional and personal consequences.

When a series of similar incidents occurred in the area, it was later revealed that she was telling the truth. Not only did she suffer personal damage, but the rapist was free to offend a further five times as a result of the lack of trust and support she received.

4

Apple Cider Vinegar

Clickbait Healthcare

A third appearance on this list for actress Kaitlyn Dever, this time as the less sympathetic character of influencer Belle Gibson, who lied about having cancer to launch her social media empire of healthcare and nutrition advice. Followers were misled into believing that Belle’s health methodology helped her maintain her glamorous demeanor despite her aggressive brain cancer.

Apple Cider Vinegar tells the tandem stories of Belle and a composite rival based primarily on another influencer who tragically died of cancer, in part due to her belief in alternative treatments. The show actually provides a decent defense of Belle, plotting her problematic upbringing, but it’s hard to stay on her side as she continuously lies to and swindles actual cancer patients for fame and money.

3

Kidding

The Tragic Tale Of Mr. Pickles

Kidding also needs to be docked a little because it did technically receive a second season, although it probably shouldn’t have. The story is complete by the end of the first season, and fans wouldn’t be missing much if they stopped there, with the subsequent season offering nothing new. Think of it more as a sequel, and the limited series banner just about applies.

The story tracks a staple children’s TV host and the juxtaposition of his perky onscreen personality and his emotionally fraught off-screen life. Jeff is increasingly struggling to maintain his mild-mannered visage, and a quiet tension bubbles under the surface. With the crafted visual flair of Michel Gondry and an excellently layered lead performance from Jim Carey, Kidding a unique and moving series.

2

The Dropout

Empire Of Lies

True stories, particularly those built on corporate lies and medical misdemeanours, seem to make excellent limited series, and The Dropout is the pinnacle of that. Elizabeth Holmes wanted so much to be the female Steve Jobs, and, in an emerging era of feminism, it made such a great story that the press and the public wanted it to be true.

Sadly, this likely gave her more rope than she should have been allowed, as the primary product produced by her company, Theranos, never worked, despite over a decade of testing and funding. She essentially patented an impossible science and refused to backtrack, instead allowing the unsafe medical product to be rolled out regardless.

1

The Sympathizer

Vietnamese Double Agent

The Sympathizer takes a very different look at the Vietnam War from the perspective of Vietnamese citizens who were forced to flee their homes when Saigon fell. It’s based on a book of the same name, but the series also compiles several first-hand accounts to use as reference, some of which come from the actors who star in the series.

The story centers on a double agent working for the North but secretly embedded within the CIA in the South. He is forced to flee to the US to maintain his cover and finds himself torn between the conflicting ideals of the friends he lives with, the loyalty to his country, and the fear of being caught, having seen what the CIA does with political prisoners. The series takes some unexpected twists and turns, offering a compelling tale of espionage unlike anything else.