Stephen King's Review For Apple TV+'s Best Sci-Fi Show Proves Lost Finally Has Two Worthy Replacements

Although Lost's ending was divisive, the ABC series is still ranked among the greatest television shows by many viewers and critics. Owing to this, even though many shows have been compared to Lost in the past, not many have been able to match the highs it achieved during its long run. However, as Stephen King's review for Apple TV+'s best sci-fi show suggests, Lost might finally have two worthy competitors, two decades after its release.

Stephen King Is Right - From & Silo Are Two Of The Best "Mystery Box" Shows Since Lost

Both Shows Follow Layered & Compelling Narratives

At the beginning of 2025, Stephen King wrote about his thoughts (via Bluesky) on From and Silo, saying that they are "the only two 'mystery box' shows" that were worth his time "last year and this coming year." To explain what he means by "mystery box" shows, the King of Horror also cited Lost as an example, drawing a subtle comparison between Silo, From, and Lost. Here is his entire statement:

Given how From and Silo are two of the most popular and acclaimed shows of their genres from the last few years, it is not surprising that Stephen King has given them glowing reviews. What is interesting, though, is that Stephen King mentions From, Silo, and Lost in the same sentence, noting that From and Silo are two of the best offerings to the "mystery box" subgenre since Lost. It is hard not to agree with Stephen King because, like Lost, From and Silo masterfully grip viewers with their baffling puzzle box of mysteries and atmospheric settings.

Related

35 Mysterious Shows To Watch If You Liked Lost

Lost is amongst the elite in the realm of really good, really memorable television hits. For more mysteries, fans should watch these shows.

Similar to Lost, both From and Silo also do not shy away from leaving viewers with more questions than answers with each new installment. Despite thriving on ambiguity, From and Silo keep viewers invested by gradually unraveling the tapestry surrounding their ambitious and expansive worlds while presenting relatable character beats. Since From and Silo are all set to grow their fascinating lores with confirmed upcoming seasons, they seem to have rightfully earned their Lost comparisons.

Silo's Lost Comparisons Make Sense, But From Is More Similar To The ABC Drama

Silo Has No Supernatural Elements

Like Stephen King, many viewers and critics have also compared Silo and From with Lost. These comparisons make sense since all three shows unfold in similar dystopian and isolated settings, where the characters struggle to find the truth about where they are and how they can find freedom. All stories in the three shows are primarily driven by the growing tension between characters’ knowledge of their known environment and the unknown and terrifying elements outside of it.

Through their themes of survival, Silo, Lost, and From also explore the human condition, focusing on how extreme situations either bring out the worst or the best in humanity. However, despite these similarities, it is hard not to see how, compared to Silo, From is more similar to Lost. Both From and Lost not only feature Harold Perrineau as a leading character but also share many eerie narrative parallels. For instance, Perrineau's character is estranged from his son in both, and the characters of both shows are divided into two primary factions.

Although Silo is far from being realistic, it does not adopt any supernatural elements. From and Lost, in contrast, incorporate many supernatural and otherworldly forces that drive their primary story beats. While Lost and From are mostly set in the present world, Silo unfolds far ahead in the future and even features futuristic technologies. Owing to this, it would be fair to say that, compared to Silo, From is a better replacement for Lost.

Silo Has One Major Advantage Over Lost & From

It Has A Well-Rounded Source Material

One of the biggest reasons Lost's ending was divisive was its inability to resolve many loose ends in its overarching story. From has had an incredible run so far. However, it will likely face similar challenges in its ending moments because of its no-holds-barred approach toward introducing waves of ambiguous story developments. Silo, too, leaves viewers with an array of questions before providing even one answer. However, fortunately, for Silo, it is based on a book trilogy of the same name that has a well-rounded conclusion.

Written by Hugh Howey, the Silo book series has three installments: Wool, Shift, and Dust. Although the books have several ambiguous story elements, Dust hardly leaves any narrative threads hanging before delivering a satisfying resolution. Owing to this, the Apple TV+ series can be expected to have a more definitive conclusion than Lost and From. Despite this, it is unfair to draw too many comparisons between the three shows, given how Stephen King's stamp of approval proves they have all etched their unique identities in the "mystery box" subgenre and deserve to be watched.

• 

  In a dystopian future, men and women reside in a vast underground silo governed by strict regulations, believed to shield them from the hazardous world above. The series delves into the complex social order within the silo and the mysteries surrounding their subterranean existence.

  Release Date May 5, 2023

  Cast Rebecca Ferguson , Common , Tim Robbins , Harriet Walter , Christian Ochoa Lavernia , Avi Nash , Billy Postlethwaite , Chinaza Uche , Iain Glen , Remmie Milner , David Oyelowo , Rick Gomez , Ferdinand Kingsley , Shane McRae , Chipo Chung , Caitlin Zoz , Matt Gomez Hidaka , Angela Yeoh , Olatunji Ayofe , Khairika Sinani , Will Patton , Akie Kotabe

  Character(s) Juliette Nichols , Robert Sims , Bernard Holland , Martha Walker , Amundsen , Lukas Kyle , Hank , Paul Billings , Dr. Pete Nichols , Shirley , Sheriff Holston , Patrick Kennedy , George Wilkins , Knox , Sandy , Kathleen Billings , Cooper , Deputy Molly Karins , Teddy , Raider Jean , Deputy Marnes , Diego

  Seasons 2

• 

  Lost, released in 2001, is a reality television game show featuring a worldwide race format. Teams compete to navigate global locations with minimal resources, challenging their survival and navigational skills in high-pressure scenarios, broadcast in the United States and the United Kingdom.

  Release Date September 4, 2001

  Cast Al Trautwig , Dan Wells

  Character(s) Narrator , Uncredited

  Seasons 1

• 

  From is a series revolving around a mysterious American town that ensnares newcomers, forcing its inhabitants to maintain order and find an escape amidst nighttime perils from the surrounding forest. The residents face threats from terrifying creatures emerging after sunset, complicating their struggle for survival.

  Release Date February 20, 2022

  Cast Harold Perrineau , Catalina Sandino Moreno , Eion Bailey , David Alpay , Elizabeth Saunders , Scott McCord , Shaun Majumder , Ricky He , Chloe Van Landschoot , Pegah Ghafoori , Corteon Moore , Avery Konrad , Hannah Cheramy , Simon Webster , Elizabeth Moy , Deborah Grover , Angela Moore , Vox Smith , Paul Zinno , Kaelen Ohm , Robert Joy , A.J. Simmons , Samantha Brown , Benjamin Clost , Sam Haynes

  Character(s) Boyd Stevens , Tabitha Matthews , Jim Matthews , Jade , Donna , Victor , Father Khatri , Kenny Liu , Kristi , Fatima , Ellis Stevens , Sara Myers , Julie Matthews , Ethan Matthews , Tian-Chen Liu , Tillie , Bakta , Boy in White , Nathan , Marielle Sinclair , Henry , Randall , Acosta , Guard #1 , Creature #2 (Jock)

  Seasons 3