If You Loved The Strawman, Try These 10 Thrillers

Description: Explores themes of reality manipulation and the blurring of lines between constructed environments and genuine human experience, focusing on a protagonist unaware of his life being a staged production.

Fact: The film's concept was inspired by an episode of The Twilight Zone. It was one of the first mainstream films to predict the rise of reality television.

Description: Presents a simulated reality where humans are unknowingly trapped, exploring themes of awakening, rebellion, and the search for truth in a fabricated world.

Fact: The film's iconic bullet-dodging scene required a custom-built rig and 120 cameras to achieve the effect. It won four Academy Awards, mostly in technical categories.

Description: Centers on artificial beings in a meticulously crafted world, questioning the nature of consciousness and free will when environments are designed to control inhabitants.

Fact: The series is based on the 1973 film of the same name. It was one of the first major TV series to be shot and broadcast in 4K resolution.

Description: Depicts an alternate history where the Axis powers won WWII, creating a world where propaganda and suppressed truths play a central role in societal control.

Fact: Based on Philip K. Dick's novel, the series features intricate world-building and was one of Amazon Prime's first major original series.

Description: Delves into dystopian futures where technology intersects with human psychology, often revealing unsettling truths about society's dependence on media and surveillance.

Fact: The title refers to the dark reflection one sees in a blank screen of a turned-off TV, tablet, or smartphone. Each episode is a standalone story, making it an anthology series.

Description: Focuses on the aftermath of a mysterious global event that causes the sudden disappearance of 2% of the world's population, delving into grief, belief, and existential uncertainty.

Fact: The show's opening theme changes every season to reflect the evolving tone of the series. It was critically acclaimed for its deep emotional and philosophical exploration.

Description: Follows a hacker unraveling layers of corporate and societal deception, emphasizing themes of paranoia, identity, and the illusion of control in a digital age.

Fact: The show's creator, Sam Esmail, insisted on using real hacking techniques depicted accurately. The series won multiple awards, including a Golden Globe for Best Television Series.

Description: Examines determinism and the idea of a preordained universe through a tech company's secretive project, blending sci-fi with philosophical inquiry about fate and reality.

Fact: The series was filmed using anamorphic lenses to create a distinct visual style. It marks Alex Garland's first foray into television as a creator.

Description: Set in a town built around a mysterious machine, the series explores interconnected lives and the surreal, often melancholic intersection of technology and human experience.

Fact: Inspired by the art of Simon Stålenhag, the series blends sci-fi with nostalgic, painterly visuals. Each episode tells a standalone story within the same universe.

Description: Revolves around a hidden portal to a parallel universe, examining duality, espionage, and the consequences of choices in a world where every person has a double.

Fact: The series was shot in Berlin, using the city's Cold War-era architecture to enhance its espionage themes. It was canceled after two seasons despite critical praise.