21 Foreign Thriller Series on Netflix That Will Have You on the Edge of Your Seat

Set in the distant future, this Brazilian dystopian series revolves around two communities: the impoverished Inland, and the three percent of the population who are lucky enough to live in a virtual paradise known as the Offshore. Michele Santana may be new to the Offshore and have no family of her own, but her strong sense of justice compels her to make the Inland a better place — even if that means resisting the Process, which can only spell trouble.

Watch 3% on Netflix.

In this French-language Belgian crime drama, a police detective named Yoann Peeters moves back to his hometown after suffering through a horrible loss, only to find himself drawn into a dark new case. While everyone believes the victim committed suicide, Peeters believes only he can see the death for what it really is: murder.

Watch The Break on Netflix.

This German time-travel series (which is also the first German original series produced for Netflix) revolves around the people of Winden, whose lives are thrown for a loop when two children go missing in their small town. Four families gradually discover a time-travel conspiracy that spans over three generations. If this show doesn't give you major Stranger Things vibes, then you're lying.

Watch Dark on Netflix.

In this Danish post-apocalyptic series, two siblings, Simone and Rasmus, navigate the world alongside a ragtag team of survivors five years after a virus spread by rainfall wiped out almost all of Scandinavia. The show is perfect for fans of The Walking Dead.

Watch The Rain on Netflix.

This Spanish heist show debuted in late 2017, telling the story of eight thieves who lock themselves in the Royal Mint of Spain — along with a group of hostages — as a criminal mastermind named the Professor attempts to get the police to cooperate with his master plan. Though it's not based on a true story, the series is set after Spain's 2008 financial crisis, and it acts as a sort of allegorical tale of rebellion against capitalism and the government.

Watch Money Heist on Netflix.

What happens when the first lady of Mexico, a woman of honor and ideals, starts to lose faith in her president husband? That's exactly what happens in this Spanish-language crime drama, which follows Emilia Urquiza as she attempts to improve the conditions of her country and uncover some dark truths — even if it means going behind her husband's back.

Watch Ingobernable on Netflix.

Set in Korea's medieval Joseon period, this South Korean drama follows a crown prince who is forced to investigate a mysterious plague spreading across his country and making the infected immune to death and hungry for flesh. It sounds weird, but trust us — it's cool.

Watch Kingdom on Netflix.

In this Argentine crime drama, an ex-cop is sent by a judge to infiltrate the dangerous San Onofre prison and get information on the gang responsible for the kidnapping of the judge's daughter. In the prison, Miguel finds himself surrounded by the country's most dangerous felons, and he must hide his true identity — or risk losing his life.

Watch El Marginal on Netflix.

This Finnish mystery series revolves around legendary detective Kari Sorjonen, who moves his family to a town near the border of Russia after his wife miraculously survives a battle with brain cancer. Though he hopes to spend more time with his family there, he and his new partner, Lena Jaakkola, find themselves faced with some incredibly dark murder cases.

Watch Bordertown on Netflix.

Inspired by the December 2012 investigation by the Delhi Police into the horrific gang rape of a young woman, this Indian drama follows a female investigator and the challenges she faces while attempting to bring the perpetrators to justice. This one definitely isn't easy to watch, but we promise it's worth it.

Watch Delhi Crime on Netflix.

Inspired by a real-life political scandal, this Italian crime drama (which serves as a prequel to the 2015 film Suburra and the novel of the same name, by Giancarlo De Cataldo and Carlo Bonini) follows a battle between organized crime, corrupt politicians, and the Vatican over Rome's underground crime scene. It seems too wild to be real, but you just have to see it to believe it.

Watch Suburra: Blood on Rome on Netflix.

Based on The Bard of Blood, Bilal Siddiqi's 2015 espionage novel, this Indian spy thriller revolves around an excommunicated RAW (India's foreign intelligence agency) agent who must face his demons and return to Balochistan after he is recruited to rescue four captured RAW agents. If you want a series that's going to keep you on the edge of your seat, then this thriller is for you.

Watch Bard of Blood on Netflix.

This psychological horror series (and Netflix's first Dutch original series) revolves around a secret student society in Amsterdam and two friends who join it before finding out the club is far more menacing than it initially seemed. We guarantee you've never seen a college hazing experience like this one.

Watch Ares on Netflix.

This eerie Brazilian series is set in the near future, revolving around a society under constant Big Brother-like surveillance. Despite the Omniscient system's drones, a murder is somehow committed without the killer being monitored, and the deceased's daughter — a tech intern named Nina — decides to risk everything in order to figure out how the murderer got away.

Watch Omniscient on Netflix.

Inspired by Norse mythology, this Norwegian coming-of-age series takes place in the fictitious town of Edda. As the town struggles with industrial pollution and melting glaciers, it becomes clear that only a teenager gifted with the embodiment of Thor can save the people of Edda.

Watch Ragnarok on Netflix.

Created by Martin Zimmerman, who also created Ozark and Narcos, this Argentine thriller revolves around the attempts of a woman to expose and dissolve the organized crime that exists within a soccer club. You don't have to be a soccer fan to appreciate this gritty drama.

Watch Puerta 7 on Netflix.

Netflix's first African original series stars Quantico's Pearl Thusi as the titular Queen Sono, a kickass South African field operative still reeling from the mysterious death of her mother, who was an anti-apartheid revolutionary leader and freedom fighter. Queen proves that you can take on terrorism and look incredible while doing it (even while battling your own inner demons).

Watch Queen Sono on Netflix.

Netflix's first Icelandic original series tells the story of an Oslo detective with a dark past, who must return to his native Iceland to help an ambitious detective investigate a series of murders. The longer these two investigate the case, the more likely it seems that these crimes were committed by the same person.

Watch The Valhalla Murders on Netflix.

Based on Haro Aso's graphic novel of the same name, the suspenseful science-fiction series tells the story of Ryōhei Arisu (Kento Yamazaki) — a gamer who goes by the name Alice — and his two friends who are forced to compete in various deadly games inside a parallel version of Tokyo. There are also a few clever, hidden Easter eggs that connect the show's title to the games that are presented in the show.

Watch Alice in Borderland on Netflix.

In this series, hundreds of players in South Korea accept an invitation to compete in a variety of traditional children's games in order to win a cash prize. Losing the games has deadly consequences.

Watch Squid Game on Netflix.