All Thriller Fans Should Watch At Least 1 Season Of This 91% RT HBO Max Show

Thriller shows are perfect for binge-watching, but some of them offer more depth than others — and the layers of The Flight Attendant offer an incentive to check out at least the first season. Some thriller shows are so ridiculous that you’ll need to push the boundaries on what you believe, while others are more gritty and grounded.

The Flight Attendant walks a fine line between both scenarios, placing Kaley Cuoco’s main character in a number of outlandish situations that stretch the limits of belief. However, the HBO Max series weaves its story using realistic human struggles; the only reason Cassie wakes up next to a dead body with no memory is because she’s grappling with alcoholism.

And Cassie leading the series from a vulnerable and realistic place is precisely what makes The Flight Attendant stand out among other recent thriller series. There are many reasons to watch both seasons of The Flight Attendant, but Cassie’s journey in season 1 is especially worth your time.

The Flight Attendant Is A Must-Watch Thriller Show

Not many people are still talking about The Flight Attendant years after season 2, but it’s still a worthwhile thriller binge. In fact, now that it’s finished, The Flight Attendant is an even more ideal viewing experience. It’s fast-paced and just two seasons long, meaning it’s a TV show you can finish over a long weekend.

The pacing is complemented by the series’ strong opening, as it’s the sort of story that wastes no time throwing its characters — and those watching it — straight into the deep end. Cassie finds herself in the horrifying scenario of waking up next to a dead man almost immediately. Her circumstances only get more tense and chaotic from there.

The mystery of what truly happened the night of Alex Sokolov’s death is made more intriguing by the fact that Cassie is an unreliable narrator. The Flight Attendant takes advantage of this storytelling device, and Cassie’s reasons for being unreliable make her narrative more hard-hitting in the process.

The Flight Attendant’s First Season Is Especially Hard-Hitting

Both seasons of The Flight Attendant present compelling mysteries — and the writers manage to connect the two storylines — but if you’ve only got time for a quick binge, season 1 is perfectly suitable as a standalone. It leaves more of an impression than season 2, and not just because its mystery is better crafted.

Cassie’s alcoholism in The Flight Attendant season 1 allows the series to dig into the difficult topic of addiction, and it does a masterful job of showcasing Cassie’s guilt and the impact of her trauma. In this way, the HBO Max series is more than a thrilling mystery; it’s also a character study that unpacks an important subject.

To season 2’s credit, it shows the aftermath of Cassie going sober, highlighting how difficult and non-linear that journey can be. The newfound difficulties that spring up in season 2 challenge Cassie in new ways, but the actual plot is still less memorable.

Kaley Cuoco Gives One Of Her Best Performances In The Thriller Series

Part of what elevates Cassie’s story in The Flight Attendant is Kaley Cuoco’s stunning performance, which is a huge change of pace from the series most viewers know her from: The Big Bang Theory. The HBO Max show allows her to showcase the range of her talent, which is its own reason to tune in.

The Flight Attendant is arguably Cuoco’s best performance to date, and it’s one of the most impressive to grace the thriller genre on the small screen. Fans of the category would be wise to check out her series, even if they only manage to squeeze in the first outing.