Mindhunter Meets Sharp Objects In Emmy-Winning Psychological Thriller

Published Sep 16, 2026, 10:19 PM EDT Dani Kessel Odom (they/them) is an autistic lead writer and TV critic who covers sci-fi shows like Doctor Who and Pluribus, fantasy shows like The Magicians and Percy Jackson, and horror of all kinds. They also cover Marvel and DC TV shows and movies, with a robust knowledge of comic books. Their TV reviews can be found on Rotten Tomatoes. Dani is also part of ScreenRant's books team, using their fiction writing and literature studies as the backbone for their book analyses. They have covered events, such as the Denver Fan Expo. Professionals in the field, such as Damien Leone and Lucy Hale, have shared their articles. Their review of Ponies was quoted in the show's TV trailer. In university, they majored in English Writing with a minor in psychology. They have always had a passion for analyzing TV and movies, even taking filmography and scriptwriting classes in university. They also studied and participated in onstage and onscreen acting extensively from the ages of 7 to 18. Aside from working at Screen Rant, Dani has worked as a freelance editor and writer over the past decade, often in a ghostwriting capacity. Netflix’s psychological thriller, which won Emmys at the 2026 award ceremony, is the perfect blend of Mindhunter and Sharp Objects. The 2026 to 2027 awards season has officially begun, with the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards kicking it off. The ceremony celebrated TV programs that were released between June 1, 2025, and May 31, 2026.The Emmys highlighted a whole new slate of television programs that deserve attention for their nomination-worthy technical elements and storytelling. As in most years, most attention went to long-running television shows and debut seasons of multi-season series, but some of the most-nominated miniseries are better than the long-running shows. Netflix’s The Beast in Me, in particular, was one of the best psychological thrillers of 2025. It may not have won Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series, but it did take home two major awards. Night 1 of the Emmys, composers Sean Callery and Sara Barone took home the Emmy for Outstanding Music Composition for a Limited or Anthology Series, Movie or Special. During the televised Primetime Emmys, Matthew Rhys had a big night, winning for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series for his performance in The Beast in Me and Lead Actor In A Comedy for Widow's Bay. The Emmy wins are a reminder to watch or revisit the psychological thriller, which feels like the perfect blend of Mindhunter and Sharp Objects. The Beast In Me Dives Into The Mind Of A Killer Like Mindhunter Chris Saunders/Netflix © 2024 Netflix’s The Beast in Me centers on Aggie Wiggs, a reclusive author who hasn’t been able to write since her son’s death. When a real estate mogul who’s accused of murder, Nile Jarvis, moves in next door, Aggie develops an obsession with the man. He agrees to be the subject of her next book. But the closer she gets to Nile, the more she realizes he may be filled with danger and darkness. The Beast in Me is the perfect show for fans of Mindhunter. Mindhunter and The Beast in Me are both slow-burn psychological thrillers interested in the mind of a killer. FBI agents Holden Ford and Bill Tench interview confirmed serial killers to understand the way they think in Mindhunter. Similarly, Aggie wants desperately to understand how Nile thinks and what could lead him to murder his wife. The book feels like an excuse to get closer to Nile so she can solve the puzzle of his mind. However, Nile uses Aggie as much as she uses him. He sees their relationship as transactional and manipulates her to get what he wants. He’s constantly reading her and everyone else around him, as if he’s two steps ahead of others at all times. He seems completely unbothered when he hurts others. Aggie Wiggs Feels Like A Gillian Flynn Character Gillian Flynn’s main characters are often morally ambiguous, mentally unraveling women with dangerous obsessions. They delude themselves into thinking they’re doing the right thing, but they actually are acting recklessly and self-destructively because of overwhelming guilt and deteriorating mental health. They tend to have severe trauma and a deeply rooted self-loathing. The prime examples of Flynn’s character archetypes are Camille Preaker in Sharp Objects and Amy Dunne in Gone Girl. Aggie fits right in with these protagonists, aligning more with the Sharp Objects lead than the Gone Girl character because she harms herself rather than others. Matthew Rhys broke two records at the 2026 Emmys. He was the first actor to win Lead Actor in the drama, comedy, and limited series categories, and the first performer to win two Outstanding Lead Actor Emmys on the same night. Aggie Wiggs becomes deeply obsessed with Nile Jarvis, even though it’s unhealthy and dangerous. Audiences of The Beast in Me constantly have to question the soundness of Aggie’s discoveries and thoughts because she’s the ultimate unreliable narrator. She is directly told in the show that she’d rather “invent a murder than look in the mirror,” and it’s true. Nile Jarvis’ guilt or lack thereof is of no consequence. Aggie carries profound grief in The Beast in Me because of her son’s death, and the longer the show goes on, the more her mind comes apart. Rather than physically harming herself like Camille, she engages in mental self-harm. They both isolate themselves to a toxic and unhealthy degree, though. Ultimately, Aggie Wiggs is the kind of lead that any Gillian Flynn fan will enjoy watching. Release Date 2025 - 2025-00-00 Network Netflix Directors Tyne Rafaeli, Antonio Campos, Lila Neugebauer Cast Kate Burton Mariah Ingram Writers C.A. Johnson, Gabe Rotter, Ali Liebegott, Daniel Pearle, Erika Sheffer, Howard Gordon, Mike Skerrett Creator(s) Gabe Rotter