• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
‘Best of the best’ Netflix mini-series with ‘eye-popping’ episode Stephen King loves binged for 40 million hours

Home> Film & TV> Netflix

Published 00:30 30 Aug 2025 GMT+1

‘Best of the best’ Netflix mini-series with ‘eye-popping’ episode Stephen King loves binged for 40 million hours

It's based on a real-life story, too

Ellie Kemp

Ellie Kemp

Stephen King is a huge fan of a Netflix mini-series he hailed 'best of the best.'

The acclaimed author is famed for his mind-bending original stories - many of which have been adapted into unforgettable TV series and movies.

And the 'King of Horror' appreciates others' genius when he sees it ,including a show on Netflix which has one scene King described as 'eye-popping.' So if you're looking for your next binge-watch, then get adding this one to your to-be-watching list immediately.

Advert

The seven-episode crime drama first premiered on Showtime in 2018, but it took six years for it to join Netflix.

Directed by Ben Stiller and created by Brett Johnson and Michael Tolkin, the series is based on the real-life 2015 escape from Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, New York.

On June 6 2015, two convicted murderers - Richard Matt and David Sweat - broke out of the maximum-security prison by cutting through cell walls and utility areas using tools smuggled in by prison staff.

If there's one man who knows his horror, it's Stephen King (Tracey Biel/Variety via Getty Images)
If there's one man who knows his horror, it's Stephen King (Tracey Biel/Variety via Getty Images)

Advert

The escape triggered a massive 22-day manhunt across multiple states - and it wasn't exactly a success for the duo...

In the TV series Patricia Arquette plays Joyce 'Tilly' Mitchell, a married prison worker who becomes romantically and dangerously entangled with both inmates and helps facilitate their escape. Benicio del Toro plays Richard Matt while Paul Dano is David Sweat.

The series in question is called Escape at Dannemora.

Between when it joined Netflix in October 2024 and January 2025, it was viewed for a whopping 40.4 million hours.

Advert

The show earned a glowing review from Stephen King (Showtime)
The show earned a glowing review from Stephen King (Showtime)

Stephen King posted to X, formerly Twitter, praising the show, writing: "ESCAPE AT DANNEMORA is TV at its best. But the best of the best? The 9-minute+ opening of Episode 5 appears to be one continuous, eye-popping shot.

"Ben Stiller directs; Jessica Lee Gage is the DP who brings it off with seemingly effortless panache."

Fans over on Rotten Tomatoes appeared to be in agreement, rating the show a solid 92 percent.

"Great show!! Acting was top notch. Wish I would have watched it sooner," one person said, as a second wrote: "Excellent in every regard. Intriguing story, well written, and perfect acting."

A third said: " The acting, direction, cinematography are spot on," adding: "Ben Stiller, the director, created a gem here."

Advert

Critics rated at 89 percent, as their consensus read: "Escape at Dannemora's slow pace demands patience, but those willing to wait will be rewarded with a chilling mystery that provides the perfect showcase for its talented cast -- especially so for the incredible Patricia Arquette."

Escape at Dannemora is streaming now on Netflix in the US.

Featured Image Credit: Showtime

Topics: Stephen King, Netflix, True crime

Ellie Kemp
Ellie Kemp

Ellie joined UNILAD in 2024, specialising in SEO and trending content. She moved from Reach PLC where she worked as a senior journalist at the UK’s largest regional news title, the Manchester Evening News. She also covered TV and entertainment for national brands including the Mirror, Star and Express. In her spare time, Ellie enjoys watching true crime documentaries and curating the perfect Spotify playlist.

X

@EllieKempOnline

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

2 hours ago
6 hours ago
22 hours ago
23 hours ago
  • Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic via Getty Images/Amy Sussman/Getty Images
    2 hours ago

    Jennifer Lawrence claims she lost role in Quentin Tarantino movie because she wasn't 'pretty enough'

    Plenty of high-profile Hollywood celebs would give an arm or leg to star in one of Quentin Tarantino's critically acclaimed films

    Film & TV
  • HBO Max
    6 hours ago

    Euphoria fans make same ‘GTA’ complaint as long-awaited season three trailer finally drops

    The smash-hit HBO drama returns this spring

    Film & TV
  • JB Lacroix/Getty
    22 hours ago

    Fans all saying the same thing as they learn Robert Pattinson was in Marty Supreme without anyone noticing

    The flick is loosely inspired by the table tennis pro Marty Reisman

    Film & TV
  • Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty
    23 hours ago

    Scarlett Johansson overtaken as the highest-grossing actor of all time by A-lister

    The actress just made major moves at the box office

    Film & TV
  • Stephen King loves ‘existential hell’ Netflix series binged for 81 million hours
  • Stephen King urges Netflix subscribers to watch ‘smart’ series binged for 36 million hours
  • Stephen King recommended 'suspenseful' 96% rated Netflix series binged for 80 million hours
  • 96% rated Netflix series Stephen King labels ‘witty and sharp’ binged for 134 million hours