This Shocking 6-Part Mystery Thriller on Netflix Is the Perfect Weekend Binge for 'Scandal' Fans

1 week ago 10

Olivia Pope with her arms crossed looking serious in Scandal.

Published May 23, 2026, 7:36 PM EDT

Kendall Myers is a Senior Author with Collider. As part of the TV and Movies Features team, she writes about some of the most popular releases before, during, and after they premiere. In three years, she has written over 900 articles with topics ranging from classic sitcoms to fantasy epics.

One thing that nearly all TV series rely on is shocking twists that keep the audience engaged, and while you can find a few in every long-lasting series, few shows deliver them as consistently as ABC's How to Get Away with Murder. The 2014 series mixed a legal drama and crime thriller to create a suspenseful series where fans were actually rooting for the killers. Consisting of six 15-episode seasons, watching How to Get Away with Murder is a significant commitment, but the addictive series is worth it and a perfect choice for any fans of mysteries, crime, and surprises. Following a set of ambitious law students who find themselves embroiled in a bloody secret, How to Get Away with Murder has a lot to love. Yet what stands out most is Viola Davis' undeniable talent in the leading role. Davis, as well as the many other layered characters, sets the series apart. Ultimately, How to Get Away with Murder offers a gritty and suspenseful story, making it an unforgettable binge-watch.

What Is 'How to Get Away with Murder' About?

How to Get Away with Murder stays true to its title as the characters try to conceal the truth after committing a crime. The story features the well-known Criminal Law professor Annalise Keating (Davis), who chooses five lucky students to work for her. This opportunity brings together Wes (Alfred Enoch), Connor (Jack Falahee), Michaela (Aja Naomi King), Asher (Matt McGorry), and Laurel (Karla Souza), though they couldn't be more different. While set up as a legal drama, the series gets dark as the law students become the criminals. Building anticipation with a non-linear format, How to Get Away with Murder relies on flashbacks to tease what is ahead for the characters, who are seen in the premiere disposing of a dead body. However, the events leading up to the horrific night play out slowly throughout the first season.

Meanwhile, the school is caught up in the story of student Lila Stangard's (Megan West) mysterious murder, and Annalise agrees to defend the prime suspect, Lila's friend Rebecca (Katie Findlay). Yet Wes' close relationship with Rebecca complicates this, and her case is quickly tied to the murder in the flash forwards, creating a complex story to unravel as How to Get Away with Murder explains what exactly happened, why the Keating Five commit a murder, and how they hope to get away with it. Yet, as the characters quickly learn, bad choices tend to spiral, and this becomes the first of many crimes the characters are involved in, both as criminals and victims, leading to a messy but thrilling story.

'How to Get Away with Murder' Stands Out with Its Complex Characters and Shocking Twists

How to Get Away with Murder has many strong suits, from complex characters to the constant twists that keep the audience guessing. The series thrives on its flawed characters, and most prominently, Annalise. In large part thanks to Davis' masterful portrayal, Annalise is a strong character with an unforgettable emotional journey as she deals with the carnage that seems to follow her. However, she is only one of the morally complex and intriguing characters in the show. Every character is forced to face the question of how far they are willing to go to protect themselves and each other as they do admittedly terrible things.

While the characters are engaging, there's a reason that How to Get Away with Murder is known for its shocking twists. Whether it's the reveal of the latest victim or a long-standing secret that changes the context of what's happening on screen, the series never fails to surprise. Usually positioned as a cliffhanger, these shocking moments will keep viewers bingeing the show long after they should, in search of answers. Ultimately, this mind-blowing streak and the layered characters make How to Get Away with Murder a binge-watch like no other.

How to Get Away with Murder is streaming on Hulu in the U.S.