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The Following

2013·Show
45Episodes in3Seasons·TV-14
62
DecentGoodWatch score
IMDb7.4Metacritic585.8Rotten Tomatoes58%65%
Episodes
IMDb7.4Metacritic585.8Rotten Tomatoes58%65%
Episodes

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The Following fingerprint

High energy, immersive world, no humor.

Energy

Nerve-racking and violent

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension9
  • Violence8
  • Scare7

Heart

Melancholic

  • Melancholy7
  • Pathos6
  • Family Dynamics6

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay3
  • Dark Humor2
  • Situational Comedy0

World

Crime, the mind, and everyday modern life

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion8
  • Dialogue Centrality8
  • Rewatchability7

Craft

Standout performances, characters, and direction

Layered plot that rewards full attention.

  • Acting9
  • Character Depth9
  • Intrigue9

Style

Standout cinematography and editing

  • Cinematography8
  • Editing8
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightPartner WatchSolo WatchBinge-FriendlyThought-Provoking

Skip it if

You need an uplifting moodYou want to half-watch while scrollingGraphic violence bothers you

Find more like it

Suspense showsPsychological shows

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every show. Select a row to see all of them.

Episode ratings

IMDb rating of every episode, one row per season
SeasonEpisode 1Episode 2Episode 3Episode 4Episode 5Episode 6Episode 7Episode 8Episode 9Episode 10Episode 11Episode 12Episode 13Episode 14Episode 15
IMDb rating of every episode, one column per season
Episode
Episode 1
Episode 2
Episode 3
Episode 4
Episode 5
Episode 6
Episode 7
Episode 8
Episode 9
Episode 10
Episode 11
Episode 12
Episode 13
Episode 14
Episode 15

About

Killer instinct.

Notorious serial killer Joe Carroll, after being found guilty of murdering 14 female students on the Virginia college campus where he taught literature, escapes from death row. The FBI calls former agent Ryan Hardy to consult on the case, as he was the one responsible for Carroll’s capture in 2003. Ryan, working closely with an FBI team, including Mike Weston and FBI Specialist Debra Parker, piece together the ever-growing web of murders orchestrated by the devious Carroll.
Psychological Crime ThrillerSerial Killer InvestigationMentally Unstable ProtagonistDark & AtmosphericComplex Character StudyHigh-Stakes Cat-and-MouseGritty RealismEmotionally DrainingSuspenseful MysteryCritically Acclaimed Drama

Crew

Directed by:
Marcos Siega, Nicole Kassell, Joshua Butler
Written by:
Kevin Williamson, Alexi Hawley, Brett Mahoney
Produced by:
Lauren Wagner, Michael Stricks, James L. Thompson III

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about The Following

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Following legally?

NetflixThe RokuPlexTubi TVHowdy

The Following is included with a subscription to Netflix in the United States. You can watch it free with ads on Plex and Tubi TV. You can also rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is The Following worth watching?

62
DecentGoodWatch score

Opinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 62/100 (IMDb 7.4, Rotten Tomatoes 58%, and Metacritic 58). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Following rated?

TV-14ViolenceDisturbing imageryStrong languageSexual contentSuicide themes

It's rated TV-14 in the United States. Content advisories: violence, disturbing imagery, strong language, sexual content, and suicide themes.

How many seasons does The Following have?

3 seasons

It has 3 seasons with 45 episodes of about 43 minutes each.

Do critics and audiences agree on The Following?

Critics58
Audiences66

Not quite. Audiences rate The Following higher (66) than critics (58). It's more of a crowd-pleaser than a critics' pick.

When did The Following air?

It ran from 2013 to 2015 and has ended.

What language is The Following in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch The Following?

26ADATAUBECACHDEDKFIFRGBGFGGGI+12

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Following in 26 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The Following use?

Even Evil Has TasteBadass in DistressEvil GloatingFingoreCreepy TwinsMama BearAx-CrazyShipper on Deck"The Reason You Suck" SpeechTrue CompanionsLove TriangleFor the Evulzand 210 more

TV Tropes lists 222 storytelling tropes for The Following, including Even Evil Has Taste, Badass in Distress, Evil Gloating.