• 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

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

7 hours ago
17 hours ago
a day ago
  • ParamountParamount
    7 hours ago

    'Small penis rule' explained as South Park creators could rely on it to avoid any Trump legal action

    South Park could escape legal ramifications for its portrayal of Trump

    Film & TV
  • Oceanic Preservation SocietyOceanic Preservation Society
    17 hours ago

    Streaming fans have just days left to see why 'harrowing' documentary branded ‘best ever made’ has near-perfect RT score

    The 2009 documentary will not be available to stream in a just a few days

    Film & TV
  • Nikos Pekiaridis/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesNikos Pekiaridis/NurPhoto via Getty Images
    a day ago

    100 Netflix films and shows leaving in September includes 97% rated series binged for 308 million hours

    Better get your binge on...

    Film & TV
  • Larry French/Getty ImagesLarry French/Getty Images
    a day ago

    'King of horror' Stephen King reveals the last movie that 'truly scared' him

    If it's enough to spook horror legend Stephen King…

    Film & TV
  • Stephen King urges Netflix subscribers to watch ‘smart’ series binged for 36 million hours
  • Amazon Prime mini-series Stephen King calls ‘bone-shaking and terrifying’ lands 94% Rotten Tomatoes rating
  • 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