The Serpent (2021)

The Serpent (2021) is a slow-burning, true-crime thriller that follows the chilling rise and fall of Charles Sobhraj, a beguiling con man, gem dealer and master of disguise who preyed on Western backpackers along the 1970s “hippie trail” across Asia. Set in the sun-drenched yet sleazy border towns of Bangkok and beyond, the series traces how Sobhraj — with the help of a lover and accomplices — lures, robs and murders unsuspecting tourists while maintaining a glamorous, deceptive public face. Seen through the eyes of both predator and pursuers, the story pivots when a determined Dutch diplomat begins to piece together the disappearances of two compatriots and launches a painstaking investigation that slowly uncovers Sobhraj’s trail of violence. The series blends tense detective work with psychological cat-and-mouse games, showing how charisma, manipulation and cunning enabled a dangerous man to evade justice for years. Watching The Serpent you’ll experience mounting suspense and moral unease: gorgeous period photography and sunlit, exotic locales contrast with cold, calculated crimes, creating a hypnotic and disturbing mood. Expect compelling performances, meticulous period detail, and a relentless sense of dread as the investigation closes in. It’s as much an atmospheric character study of a seductive sociopath as it is a procedural about the international effort to stop him.

Actors: Tahar Rahim, Billy Howle, Jenna Coleman

Genres: Crime, Drama, Thriller

7.6 /10 7.6 /10