'Super messed up show' praised as one of the best series of the 21st century

Viewers are flocking to social media over a 'dark, sick, twisted' but 'addictive' TV series.

If you'd already got through a dystopian movie which Netflix users claim is the best one on the streaming service and fancied a TV series to get your teeth into then how about five seasons of a show based on a novel by iconic author Margaret Atwood?

Cast, crew and synopsis

Created by Bruce Miller, the American dystopian series is based on the 1985 novel of the same name by Margaret Atwood.

It stars the likes of Elisabeth Moss (The Invisible Man), Joseph Fiennes (Killing Me Softly), Yvonne Strahovski (Chuck) and Alexis Bledel (Gilmore Girls).

The story centers around the aftermath of a Second American Civil War where women are subjected to a life of slavery - not allowed to own property, have careers or handle money - some being forced to churn out children and nicknamed 'Handmaids'.

The series - titled The Handmaid's Tale - first came out in 2016, it's first season winning a whopping eight Primetime Emmy Awards from 13 nominations. And it's had a total of five seasons so far, with a sixth and final season expected in 2025.

The series is certainly not for the faint-hearted (Hulu)

Reviews

The Handmaid's Tale may've only got a pretty meagre 57 percent Rotten Tomatoes audience score but it landed a solid Tomatometer score of 83 percent and the love for the show has continued on social media.

One viewer took to LADbible Facebook page Netflix Bangers to write: "Whoever has ever recommended Handmaids Tale can never be trusted again. Such a terrible series."

However, hoards of fans have flooded to the show's defence.

Fans when they heard there was a sixth season on the way (Hulu)

A Facebook user commented: "Phenomenal show. Although it’s frustrating to watch it it’s still so good."

"U have to persevere with it .I remember watching this and thinking , what the hell am I watching, it's dark and sick and twisted but it's addictive," another wrote.

A third commented: "I mean, it’s disturbing AF, but it’s a great series, how it’s written, the storyline, costumes, and premise. Again, scary AF."

"One of the best things ever made for tv… has so many levels and meanings. Layered like an onion!!" A fourth said.

And a fifth warned: "You have to be in a good place mentally to watch that show."

You can watch The Handmaid's Tale on Hulu, Disney Plus, Fandango at Home, Prime Video, or Apple TV.