Featured Image Credit: Netflix
Topics: Netflix, Streaming, Rotten Tomatoes, Reddit, Russia
Ellie Kemp
Time is running out for Netflix subscribers to watch a 100 percent rated mini-series recommended by Stephen King.
The 'superbly paced' show has been streaming on the platform for almost five years, but if you've not got round to watching it yet, then this is your sign.
The King of Horror often shares his favorite TV picks via social media, including an 'unbeatable' crime series watched for 50 million hours.
It’s easy to see why this drama might have slipped under the radar.
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Released in October 2020, around eight months into the global coronavirus pandemic, its story of a deadly virus outbreak may have felt a little too close to home at the time.
After all, who was really in the mood for a thriller that mirrored real life? But now, with some distance, it might just be the perfect time to finally give it a go - or a rewatch.
The TV series follows a group of people - some family, some strangers - who must flee the city to survive.
They face not only the dangers of the virus, but also moral dilemmas, crumbling relationships and the harsh winter wilderness.
Sadly, all good things must come to an end, and the series is set to leave Netflix in a little more than a week's time.
The series in question is called To The Lake, and was praised by Stephen King for its storyline and cinematography.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, King said the month of its release: "TO THE LAKE, a pretty darn good Russian series on Netflix. Four things to know:
"1. There's a plague.
"2. There's lots of snow and cold (Russia, stupid).
"3. Everybody drinks vodka.
"4. Weak-ass spoiler alert: the little kid is a pain in the ass."
In a follow-up post, King said: "3 more things to know about TO THE LAKE:
"1. Think spaghetti western, only with snow and plague-infested killer Russians.
"2. The cinematography is cool. Some stuff is filmed upside-down. Why? Dunno.
"3. The kid is still a pain in the ass."
As well as King's (mostly) glowing recommendation, the show racked up a flawless 100 percent Rotten Tomatoes score, with Globe and Mail's John Doyle hailing it 'superbly paced; thrilling, frightening and singularly enthralling.'
"One of the finds of the year," he added.
Sydney Morning Herald's Brad Newsome was in agreement, writing: "Pandemic dramas are a dime a dozen, but this chilling new Russian series is an intriguingly different kind of animal."
Fans scored To The Lake 80 percent, but many reckoned it deserved a higher rating.
"Simply superb. Pacing, dialogue, atmosphere, camera work and lighting, character development… a rare 10/10," one wrote.
A second described the mini-series as 'pretty spectacular,' adding: "It doesn't rely too heavily on 'gore' for thrills, but draws you into the characters' lives with great layering and stories."
A third simply summed it up as 'sensational,' as a fourth said: "By the end of the first episode I was hooked... Gripping, thrilling, amazing locations and there's no let up in the action."
They concluded with a warning: "Hold onto your seats right to the end and an amazing cliffhanger!"
To The Lake is streaming now on Netflix until Tuesday October 7.