Netflix is the biggest streaming platform in the world with a wide offering of thrillers, so it isn’t surprising thatThe Madness, one of the best shows in the genre, remains obscure. Released in late 2024,The Madnesshad to compete with other great thrillers likeThe Day of the Jackal, which premiered around the same time but was more revered by critics and audiences.
DespiteThe Madnessescaping the notice of viewers, the show has a 76% Rotten Tomatoes score, which is quite a feat in an age where thrillers are being churned out at a rapid pace. The series has eight episodes, each one raising the stakes in a show filled with action, suspense, and unexpected plot twists.The Madness’sreviewsmight not be perfect, but it’s still worth a watch.
The Madness Is A Conspiracy Thriller About A Journalist Falsely Accused Of Murder
An exceptional thriller with no dull moments,The Madness’s castis led by the talentedColman Domingo as Muncie Daniels, a CNN contributor who gets caught up in a conspiracy. When Muncie goes away to a cabin in the Poconos to escape from the noise and focus on his writing, he stumbles upon a horrifying sight: that of his neighbor’s body hacked into pieces.
Although Muncie is innocent, he gets accused of murdering Simon Marks, a member of analt-right group called The Forge.Because Muncie’s political views differed greatly from Simon’s, he became the perfect suspectas more evidence linked him to the murder. The only way for Muncie to prove his innocence is to delve deep into the conspiracy and uncover dark secrets.
Colman Domingo Is Sheer Perfection In The Madness
As the lead character inThe Madness, Domingo is an absolute joy to watch, and his portrayal of Muncie is undoubtedly one of his best performances.Domingo perfectly captures Muncie’s desperationas a man caught between a rock and a hard place due to the murder charge against him.
The actor is compelling inThe Madness, as he manages to tug at the heartstrings by ensuring his character is authentic, relatable, and grounded while he goes on a journey to prove his innocence. The Academy Award nominee undoubtedly elevatedThe Madness, which at times could suffer from plot contrivances, by creating a captivating and nuanced character who is easy to root for.
At 76% On Rotten Tomatoes, The Madness Is Netflix’s Most Underrated Thriller
The Madnessisn’t by any means a revolutionary TV show, as we’ve seen countless thrillers about a man fighting to prove he didn’t commit a crime he’s being accused of.Although a 76% Rotten Tomatoes score isn’t bad, it’s disappointing for a show that has as many highlights asThe Madness, especially because Netflix thrillers tend to do well with critics and audiences.
DespiteThe Madnessbeing tonally bleak in some instances and not necessarily adding anything exciting to the genre, the series is grossly underrated. Domingo’s show has a lot of heart and adds intrigue and important social commentary about race that distinguishes it from a regular thriller.
The Madness
Cast
Muncie Daniels is a political consultant-turned-TV pundit who may have lost his way in life. While on a work sabbatical in the Poconos to write the great American novel, Muncie finds himself the only witness to the murder of a well-known white supremacist, and now he’s being framed for the crime. Muncie is forced to go on the run in a desperate fight to clear his name and unravel a global conspiracy before time runs out. Along the way he’ll reconnect with his family, find unlikely allies, and fight against disinformation in a post-truth age.