10 Crime TV Shows With 100% Rotten Tomatoes Scores on Netflix

Who doesn’t love a good whodunit? The thrill of piecing together clues, the suspense of uncovering the truth, and the satisfaction of witnessing justice served – crime TV shows have a special appeal. It doesn’t even matter if you’re not a die-hard fan of the genre. There’s something irresistible about getting lost in a mystery laced with darkness.

Perhaps it is the meticulous attention to detail, as veteran detectives navigate a web of secrets. Or the cat-and-mouse game where the line between right and wrong vanishes, and we find ourselves rooting for the underdog. Crime TV shows tap into our need for closure and our insatiable curiosity. And when it comes to picking the best out of the lot, Netflix is the ultimate destination for the most gripping, edge-of-your-seat crime thrillers that have also earned a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score for their sheer brilliance. Here’s a list of 10 such crime TV shows on Netflix.

10

‘A Killer Paradox’ (2024 – Present)

Based on the Naver webtoon of the same name by Kkomabi, A Killer Paradox is an addictive crime thriller that begins with Lee Tang, an ordinary young man and convenience store employee, accidentally killing someone with a hammer. He then learns that the man was a serial killer and discovers his own ability to identify evil and fight back. But the more criminals Lee Tang kills, the more attention he draws from two shrewd detectives.

Psychological Thriller with Plot Twists

Hailed by critics as a “darkly humorous, violent, and never boring, morality thriller like no other,” A Killer Paradox stands out because of its gripping narrative and darkly humorous character dynamics. It weaves threads of criminal investigation with supernatural elements and features several unexpected twists and turns. The performances by Choi Woo-shik and Son Suk-ku are phenomenal and deserve all the praise they get.

9

‘The Asunta Case’ (2024)

The Asunta Case is a Spanish-language crime miniseries inspired by true events. It follows the harrowing investigation that began after the disappearance of 12-year-old Asunta Basterra. When her parents, Rosario Porto and Alfonso Basterra, file a missing persons report, the case delves deeper into their disturbing family lives and soon turns against them and they are found guilty for causing her harm.

True-Crime Drama That Demands Attention

The real-life tragedy around Asunta’s disappearance and the eventual discovery of her corpse sparked commotion across the country, and in the hands of Ramón Campos, Gema R. Neira, and more, the series is a powerful and meticulous depiction of the story. It refuses to shy away from the grim realities of the case and the gravity of the situation. The performances by Candela Peña, Tristán Ulloa, and Javier Gutiérrez are stunning and authentic and evoke a range of emotions.

8

‘The Snow Girl’ (2023 – Present)

Based on the thriller novel La chica de nieve by Javier Castillo, The Snow Girl follows a young journalist named Miren Rojo, who takes on the intimidating case of Amaya Martín, a little girl who mysteriously disappears during the 2010 Cavalcade of Magi in Málaga. As Miren delves deeper, each twist and turn draws the audience into the heart-wrenching mystery.

Defies All Genre Conventions

Praised for its introspective approach to the crime genre, The Snow Girl is as much about the investigation as it is about the emotional turmoil experienced by the journalist and the detectives grappling with the aftermath of the tragedy. Milena Smit and José Coronado are nothing short of outstanding in their roles, the latter playing the role of a veteran journalist who helps Miren. After garnering praise, The Snow Girl was renewed for a second season.

7

‘Rough Diamonds’ (2023)

Set in the glittering but competitive world of diamond trading, this Belgian drama immerses viewers into the underbelly of a glamorous industry, where a single misstep has devastating consequences. We follow Noah Wolfson, the son of an Orthodox Jewish family, who returns to Belgium’s Antwerp Diamond Square Mile after his brother’s suicide. He must not only navigate the complex world of diamond trading to save the family business but also uncover their dark secrets.

Blends Corporate Intrigue and Personal Drama

Rough Diamonds is a rare and riveting drama in the crime TV genre, especially those streaming on Netflix. It combines the gritty mechanisms of the diamond industry with the emotional complexities of family ties. It also explores themes of loyalty and betrayal, with each episode revealing more about the conflicts between the characters. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 100% approval rating and critics describe the series as a “gem” that comes “from the heart.”

6

‘Dear Child’ (2023)

Adapted from Romy Hausmann’s 2019 novel of the same name, Dear Child takes you to the picturesque town of Heidelberg, Germany, and tells you the story of how the return of Lena shattered the illusion of their peaceful existence. After being in captivity for years, when a mysterious young woman escapes and returns home, her story leads investigators to uncover the truth behind an unsolved disappearance from 13 years ago.

Unveils Dark Truths About the Past

A harrowing but compelling drama, Dear Child stands out for its intense tone and raw emotions. The show’s writing is truly brilliant because it builds tension but also focuses on the urgency of the investigation and the profound impact of the tragedy on Lena’s family. Kim Riedle and Naila Schuberth are mesmerizing in their roles and the direction by Isabel Kleefeld and Julian Pörksen is both visually appealing and gravely sentimental.

5

‘Dark Winds’ (2022 – Present)

Created by Graham Roland and based on the Leaphorn & Chee novel series by Tony Hillerman, Dark Winds is a neo-Western crime drama set in the vast and rugged landscape of the Navajo Nation in the 1970s. Two police officers. the gruff and determined Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn, who, alongside his newest deputy counterpart, Jim Chee, join forces to investigate a double murder, but end up unraveling old wounds instead.

Fresh Look at the Pursuit of Justice

Dark Winds transcends the genre with its rich exploration of Navajo culture and the unique obstacles faced by law enforcement within this terrain. Not only are the officers forced to get into conflict with the community, but they also end up challenging their own beliefs about the world they inhabit. The Rotten Tomatoes consensus describes it as “a solid procedural that derives much of its texture from an underrepresented cultural milieu.”

4

‘The Innocent’ (2021)

One of the more highly praised Harlan Coben adaptations on Netflix, The Innocent centers around Mateo Vidal, who gets into an argument, which turns violent, and he accidentally kills the man. Nine years later, he tries to start fresh with his wife Olivia. But the tragic incident turns his life upside down once again when he receives a phone call and is forced to confront his own, all-consuming past.

Explores Themes of Redemption and Innocence

The Innocent excels in creating psychological tension and jumping from the past to the present and back with its intricate storytelling. The show’s writing is delicate, and it balances the twists and turns perfectly. The show stars Mario Casas, Alexandra Jiménez, Aura Garrido and José Coronado, who deliver complex and profound performances. With all the praise it gets, The Innocent is testament to crime television’s capacity to tell boundary-pushing stories.

3

‘My Name’ (2021)

My Name is a phenomenal K-drama starring Han So-hee in the lead role. She plays Yoon Ji-woo, a young woman who witnesses the unexpected murder of her father and is determined to seek revenge. She joins a drug crime gang, trains night and day to become stronger, and infiltrates the police force as an undercover agent for the same gang, eventually partnering up with Detective Jeon Pil-do and learning shocking truths about her father’s death.

Pulse-Pounding, Action-Driven Crime Drama

Within the K-drama landscape, My Name stands out for shattering all conventions of the crime genre by placing a female lead as the protagonist and making her go to great lengths for justice. The tension and emotion is amazing, and so is the direction, which creates a fast-paced and thrilling atmosphere. While So-hee delivers a powerhouse performance as the commanding protagonist, Park Hee-soon and Ahn Bo-hyun are just as incredible in supporting roles.

2

‘The Chestnut Man’ (2021)

The Chestnut Man is a Danish crime drama series created by Dorte Warnøe Hagh, David Sandreuter, and Mikkel Serup. It revolves around the discovery of a gruesome murder scene where a single, confusing, and intriguing clue emerges – a handcrafted figurine made of chestnuts. This sets the stage for an investigation led by Detective Naia Thulin and her reluctant partner, Mark Hess, who unravel the mystery behind a politician’s missing daughter.

Realistic and Haunting Murder Mystery

Combining the realism of a police procedural with a Nordic noir atmosphere, The Chestnut Man creates an unsettling atmosphere that really messes with your mind. The plot twists, which are several and hidden in plain sight, create a sense of palpable dread that benefits the narrative. Danica Curcic and Mikkel Boe Følsgaard lead the cast as Naia and Mark, bringing two unforgettable characters to life.

1

‘Giri/Haji’ (2019)

A yakuza crime thriller set in the bustling metropolis of London, Giri/Haji, which translates to Duty/Shame follows Kenzo Mori, a Tokyo detective who travels to London to find the truth behind his brother’s disappearance after he gets involved with the nephew of a yakuza member and accused of murder. As Kenzo investigates the matter, he gets entangled in a world of organized crime and can’t tell the difference between right and wrong.

Crossing Borders for Justice

Exploring themes of family, duty, betrayal, and redemption, each episode of Giri/Haji reveals more about the intricate world that the protagonist is caught in. The character development is seamless and both Takehiro Hira and Kelly Macdonald are captivating in their roles. The series also stars Justin Long, Anna Sawai, and Charlie Creed-Miles. Its 100% Rotten Tomatoes score is testament to its greatness, and critics hail Giri/Haji as a “smart, suspenseful, and superbly shot [series], a near-perfect crime thriller with a surprisingly sharp sense of humor.”