Netflix’s Inside Man, a gripping four-part psychological thriller, has stormed the streaming charts, dethroning BBC’s Line of Duty as the must-watch crime drama of 2025. Originally aired on BBC One in 2022 and released on Netflix in the US on October 31, 2022, this Steven Moffat creation has fans declaring it “more devastating than Mobland” for its gut-punching narrative and stellar performances. With a 67% Rotten Tomatoes score and a 6.7/10 on IMDb, Inside Man delivers a rollercoaster of suspense, moral dilemmas, and jaw-dropping twists that have left audiences stunned, cementing its place as a cultural phenomenon.
Starring Stanley Tucci as Jefferson Grieff, a death row inmate and former criminology professor, and David Tennant as Harry Watling, a British vicar caught in a moral crisis, the series weaves two seemingly unconnected storylines across the Atlantic. Grieff, imprisoned in Arizona for murdering his wife, solves cold cases with chilling intellect, assisted by serial killer Dillon Kempton (Atkins Estimond). Meanwhile, in a quiet English village, Harry’s attempt to protect his son spirals into a catastrophic chain of events involving a trapped math tutor, Janice Fife (Dolly Wells), and journalist Beth Davenport (Lydia West). The plots converge in a shocking reveal, unraveling a web of dark secrets over four gripping hours.
Fans on social media are electrified, with X posts like @CrimeBingeFan’s “Inside Man just broke me—more intense than Line of Duty! Tucci and Tennant are unreal!” amassing thousands of likes. The series’ compact runtime—each episode around 60 minutes—makes it a bingeable masterpiece, ideal for viewers craving high-stakes drama. Critics praise its “pitch-dark” tone and philosophical undertones, with Charles Hartford of A Geek Community calling it “a gripping tale well worth its four-hour runtime.” Yet, some note its “clunky plotting,” with Rotten Tomatoes’ consensus citing Tucci and Tennant’s performances as saving graces for its ambitious but implausible twists.
Moffat, known for Sherlock and Doctor Who, infuses Inside Man with his signature blend of wit and tension, though some viewers, like an IMDb reviewer, argue its “tongue-in-cheek” style demands a lighter lens: “It’s not meant to be taken too seriously—just enjoy the ride!” The show’s emotional depth, particularly Tennant’s portrayal of a vicar making increasingly disastrous choices, has sparked debate about morality, with one X user, @ThrillerLad, writing, “Harry’s decisions in Inside Man make Mobland’s chaos look tame—my heart’s still pounding!”
Filmed in atmospheric locations like St Andrew’s Church in Farnham and Godalming Railway Station, the series’ visual contrast—America’s stark prison cells versus England’s quaint villages—amplifies its tension. The ensemble, including Lyndsey Marshal and Louis Oliver, adds depth, though Tucci’s suave yet menacing Grieff steals the show. Fans are clamoring for a second season, with Reddit threads speculating on Grieff’s potential as a “death row detective” spinoff, though Moffat has remained coy about future plans.
Available on Netflix until July 1, 2025, Inside Man has surged to the platform’s top 10, with viewers urging others to watch before it leaves. Its blend of psychological depth, relentless pacing, and raw performances outshines even Line of Duty’s intricate conspiracies, offering a compact yet devastating experience. As one viewer posted on Google, “Utterly brilliant! Moffat’s dialogue and the cast’s emotional depth make this a thriller that destroys you.” Whether you’re a crime drama aficionado or a casual binger, Inside Man is a masterclass in suspense that proves some secrets are too explosive to stay buried.
