Kevin Bacon’s gripping crime thriller The Following has returned to Netflix, and its comeback couldn’t be better timed. Originally airing between 2013 and 2015, the show follows a former FBI agent locked in a twisted psychological battle with a charismatic serial killer and his growing cult of followers. With all three seasons now available to stream, the series is finding a brand-new audience while longtime fans revisit one of television’s darkest and most binge-worthy thrillers. From its chilling premise to its unforgettable performances, The Following remains a standout crime drama even years after its original finale.
What The Following Is About
At its core, The Following is a psychological crime thriller that explores what happens when a serial killer’s influence doesn’t end behind bars.
Kevin Bacon stars as Ryan Hardy, a brilliant but deeply troubled former FBI agent who once captured notorious killer Joe Carroll. Years later, Carroll escapes from prison — but the real danger isn’t just the man himself. While incarcerated, Carroll built a secret network of devoted followers who share his obsession with murder, manipulation, and control.
What unfolds is a tense, often disturbing game of cat and mouse. Hardy isn’t just hunting one criminal; he’s trying to stop an entire movement. The show leans heavily into themes of obsession, loyalty, and how easily people can be influenced by charisma and fear.
Unlike traditional procedural crime dramas, The Following doesn’t reset each episode. Actions have lasting consequences, characters disappear suddenly, and no one ever feels truly safe.
Also Read : Train Dreams Screening Los Angeles: KCRW Partner Event Details & What to Expect
Why The Following Returning to Netflix Matters
The return of The Following to Netflix is more significant than it might first appear.
For years, the show was difficult to stream in one place. Many viewers heard about it but never got the chance to watch it from start to finish. Now, with all three seasons available, the series finally works the way it was always meant to be watched — in long, suspense-filled binges.
Netflix’s audience is also far more receptive today to darker, morally complex storytelling. Shows about cults, serial killers, and psychological warfare have become mainstream hits, making The Following feel surprisingly modern despite its age.
For fans of crime thrillers who think they’ve “seen it all,” this return is a reminder that some of television’s most intense storytelling came before the current streaming boom.
Kevin Bacon’s Performance Is the Show’s Anchor
Kevin Bacon’s role as Ryan Hardy is one of the strongest performances of his television career.
Hardy isn’t a traditional hero. He’s reckless, emotionally damaged, and often makes decisions that put himself — and others — in danger. Bacon plays him with a mix of intelligence, desperation, and barely contained anger that makes every confrontation feel personal.
What makes Hardy compelling is that he’s deeply affected by the violence around him. The job takes a toll, and the show doesn’t pretend otherwise. Bacon’s performance grounds the series, giving emotional weight to even its most shocking moments.
It’s also worth noting that when The Following premiered, having a major film star lead a network TV drama was still relatively rare. Bacon’s presence helped elevate the show and draw attention from viewers who might not normally tune into a Fox crime series.
Joe Carroll: A Villain You Can’t Look Away From
If Ryan Hardy is the emotional center of the show, Joe Carroll is its dark heart.
Portrayed with chilling charm, Carroll is intelligent, articulate, and disturbingly persuasive. He doesn’t just kill — he inspires others to do it for him. His ability to manipulate people into becoming loyal followers is what makes him so frightening.
The series spends time exploring how Carroll recruits and controls his cult, showing how ordinary people can be drawn into extraordinary violence. This psychological angle sets The Following apart from standard serial killer dramas.
Rather than relying solely on gore or shock value, the show builds tension through dialogue, mind games, and unexpected betrayals. Carroll isn’t scary because he’s loud — he’s scary because he’s calm.
A Crime Series That Refuses to Play It Safe
One of the reasons The Following still stands out is its willingness to take risks.
Major characters die suddenly. Storylines take sharp turns without warning. Viewers are constantly kept off-balance, unsure who can be trusted or who might be next.
The show also avoids the comfort of clear moral lines. Law enforcement makes questionable choices. Villains show moments of vulnerability. The result is a world that feels unpredictable and unsettling — exactly what a psychological thriller should be.
This refusal to play it safe is one reason the show generated such strong reactions during its original run. Some viewers found it too intense, while others became fiercely loyal fans.
Also Read : Goolagong Review: ABC’s Emotional Tennis Drama Goes Beyond the Court
How the Story Evolves Across Three Seasons
Each season of The Following builds on the last while shifting its focus in interesting ways.
The first season introduces the core conflict between Hardy and Carroll and establishes the cult dynamic that defines the series. It’s fast-paced, shocking, and designed to hook viewers immediately.
The second season expands the scope, exploring how far Carroll’s influence reaches and introducing new threats that complicate the FBI’s mission. The stakes feel higher, and the moral lines blur even further.
The third season brings many of the show’s themes to a head. While some fans wished the story could have continued longer, the final episodes still deliver tension, emotional payoffs, and a sense of closure for key characters.
Watching the series back-to-back on Netflix highlights how carefully the long-form storytelling was constructed.
Why The Following Feels Relevant Today
Despite premiering more than a decade ago, The Following feels eerily relevant in today’s media landscape.
The idea of charismatic figures building devoted followings through ideology and manipulation resonates strongly in a world shaped by social media and online communities. The show’s exploration of how ideas spread — and how dangerous they can become — feels more timely than ever.
It also taps into modern interest in true crime, cult psychology, and morally complex antiheroes. Many shows that followed in its footsteps owe something to The Following’s willingness to push boundaries on network television.
For new viewers, the series doesn’t feel dated so much as ahead of its time.
Why It’s Perfect for Binge-Watching on Netflix
Streaming has changed how audiences consume TV, and The Following benefits enormously from that shift.
Episodes end on strong cliffhangers, encouraging viewers to immediately start the next one. Plot threads carry across multiple episodes, making binge-watching the most satisfying way to experience the story.
Netflix’s format allows viewers to immerse themselves fully in the world of the show without week-long gaps that can break tension. What once felt overwhelming to watch live now feels addictive when consumed at your own pace.
If you enjoy dark thrillers that don’t shy away from intensity, this is the kind of show that can easily take over a weekend.
Is The Following Worth Watching If You Missed It the First Time?
Absolutely.
For viewers who never saw it during its original run, The Following offers a complete, self-contained story with strong performances and high stakes. You don’t need to wait for new episodes or worry about unresolved storylines stretching on forever.
For returning fans, the Netflix release offers a chance to revisit characters and moments with fresh perspective. Many viewers find they appreciate the writing and performances even more on a rewatch.
Whether you’re new or nostalgic, the series rewards attention and emotional investment.
Also Read : Michael B. Jordan on Sinners: Dual Roles, Horror Roots, and Career Evolutio
FAQs
When did The Following arrive on Netflix?
The series has returned to Netflix, making all three seasons available to stream in one place.
How many seasons and episodes does the show have?
The Following ran for three seasons, with a total of 45 episodes.
Is The Following based on a true story?
No, the series is fictional, but it draws inspiration from real-world criminal psychology and cult behavior.
Is the show suitable for all viewers?
The series contains intense violence, disturbing themes, and psychological horror. It’s best suited for mature audiences.
Does The Following have a proper ending?
Yes. While some fans hoped for more seasons, the third season provides a conclusion to the main storylines.
Who would enjoy The Following the most?
Fans of dark crime dramas, psychological thrillers, and character-driven storytelling will find a lot to love.
Join our WhatsApp channel for more updates and information about celebrities and entertainment.
I’m Atul Kumar, founder of Cine Storytellers and an entertainment creator with 5+ years of experience. I cover films, celebrities, music, and OTT content with a focus on accurate, ethical, and engaging storytelling. My goal is to bring readers trustworthy entertainment news that informs, inspires, and goes beyond gossip.
Discover more from Cine Storytellers
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.