Published May 3, 2026, 3:00 PM EDT
Tom is a Senior Staff Writer at Screen Rant, with expertise covering everything from hilarious sitcoms to jaw-dropping sci-fi epics.
Initially he was an Updates writer, though before long he found his way to the TV and movies team. He now spends his days keeping Screen Rant readers informed about the TV shows of yesteryear, whether it's recommending hidden gems that may have been missed by genre fans or deep diving into ways your favorite shows have (or haven't) stood the test of time.
Tom is based in the UK and when he's not writing about TV shows, he's watching them. He's also an avid horror fiction writer, gamer, and has a Dungeons and Dragons habit that he tries (and fails) to keep in check.
Time travel has been one of sci-fi’s most enduring obsessions for decades. From paradox-heavy blockbusters to mind-bending TV dramas, there’s rarely a year that doesn’t see at least one movie or show that delves into the concept. Among modern releases, few have pushed the boundaries quite like Netflix’s Dark and the 2020 Christopher Nolan movie Tenet, both of which challenged audiences with layered timelines and complex rules. Yet, tucked away in Netflix’s library is a lesser-known series that blends elements of both into something refreshingly distinct.
The show in question is a K-Drama which follows genius engineer Han Tae-sul (Cho Seung-woo) as he uncovers a hidden truth about his brother’s death and a mysterious device capable of transporting objects and people through time. His journey quickly intertwines with Kang Seo-hae (Park Shin-hye), a hardened warrior from a dystopian future who travels back to prevent a catastrophic war.
What makes Sisyphus: The Myth stand out among other time travel TV shows and movies is how it merges the deterministic, closed-loop storytelling of Dark with the espionage-driven, tech-heavy intrigue of Tenet. For sci-fi fans craving a new spin on a familiar idea, Sisyphus: The Myth stands as one of Netflix’s most underrated time-travel offerings.
Sisyphus: The Myth Presents A Unique Take On Time Travel In Sci-Fi Shows
A Complex Yet Action-Driven Approach To Time Travel Sets It Apart
Time travel has been explored in countless ways across film and television, from linear jumps between eras to sprawling multiverse narratives. The idea feels fresh in Sisyphus: The Myth because the time travel K-Drama grounds its mechanics in a single, consistent system while still allowing for narrative complexity.
There are rules and limitations to time-traveling in Sisyphus, all tightly controlled by a shadowy organization called the Control Bureau. This structure creates a world where the past, present, and future are deeply intertwined, echoing the closed-loop storytelling seen in Dark. Much like Jonas (Louis Hofmann) and Martha (Lisa Vicari) in Dark, Tae-sul and Seo-hae are caught in cycles that seem impossible to break.
At the same time, Sisyphus: The Myth injects a sense of urgency and spectacle that aligns more closely with Christopher Nolan’s Tenet. Like John David Washington’s nameless protagonist in the 2020 movie, Tae-sul is thrust into a hidden war governed by advanced technology and secret rules.
The way Sisyphus: The Myth balances these already distinct takes on time travel is exceptional. It doesn’t lean too heavily into abstract philosophy, nor does it sacrifice its conceptual depth for flashy yet shallow action. Instead, it finds a middle ground, offering viewers a time-travel TV show that is both intellectually engaging and consistently thrilling.
Sisyphus: The Myth Helps Prove Why Sci-Fi On Netflix Shouldn't Be Overlooked
Hidden Gems Like Sisyphus Show Netflix’s Sci-Fi Depth
When it comes to original sci-fi TV shows, Netflix often gets overshadowed by its competitors. Platforms like Prime Video and Apple TV+ have built reputations for delivering high-concept, prestige sci-fi. Netflix has its own offerings like Stranger Things, Black Mirror, and Love, Death, & Robots, these well-known shows don’t fully represent the depth of the platform’s sci-fi catalog.
The reality is that Netflix has quietly produced some of the most ambitious sci-fi shows in recent years. Dark is a prime example, earning critical acclaim for its intricate plotting and emotional weight. Then there are plenty of lesser-known shows like Sisyphus: The Myth that don’t receive the same level of attention despite offering similarly complex ideas and equally compelling narratives.
More importantly, Sisyphus: The Myth demonstrates that Netflix’s sci-fi lineup is far from shallow. It proves that for viewers willing to look beyond the algorithm’s most-promoted picks, there is rich and rewarding science fiction in abundance. The underappreciated K-Drama is a reminder that some of the best sci-fi on Netflix is often waiting to be discovered deep in its vast library of original shows.
Release Date 2021 - 2021-00-00
English (US) ·