Netflix viewers have been left speechless over a powerful new documentary dominating watchlists.

The Beast in Me is an eight-part psychological thriller starring Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys (Image: Netflix)

Netflix viewers are hailing a newly released series as an “instant masterpiece” after it quietly landed on the streaming platform this week and immediately sparked intense online reaction. The show, which dropped without a huge marketing push, has quickly gained traction as audiences share their shock at how gripping it is — with many admitting they watched multiple episodes in one sitting. Social media platforms were flooded with posts from viewers praising the performances and describing the series as far more powerful than expected.

The Beast in Me, an eight-part psychological thriller starring Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys, follows Aggie Wiggs, a once-celebrated author struggling with writer’s block and deep grief after the death of her young son, who retreats to her secluded home. Her life takes a twist when wealthy neighbour Nile Jarvis moves in — a real estate heir widely suspected of involvement in his first wife’s disappearance.

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Netflix viewers are hailing a newly released series as an “instant masterpiece” (Image: Netflix )

Intrigued, Aggie begins investigating him as the potential subject of her next book, pulling her into a tense psychological game as she tries to uncover the truth while confronting her own demons.

Viewers were quick to react online as word spread. One fan wrote on X: “Just binged yesterday @netflix. Excellent cast and performances by all! Fire up another project asap for Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys. An explosive team-up!”

Another added: “I finished the entire eight episodes last night back to back. I loved it! Couldn’t stop until the mystery was revealed.”

The response has been strong enough to translate into critical scores. On Rotten Tomatoes, The Beast in Me currently holds an 83 per cent critics’ rating, with reviews praising its tense atmosphere and character-driven storytelling.

Critics noted that while the premise taps into familiar thriller territory, the execution sets it apart.

The performances of Danes and Rhys in particular have been singled out, with reviewers highlighting the slow escalation of tension across the series rather than relying on constant twists.

Audience discussion has also focused on the emotional weight of the storyline, with viewers commenting on how the series explores grief, obsession and trust over its eight episodes.

Reddit threads dedicated to the show describe it as “intense” and “unsettling,” with many recommending it to fans of psychological dramas rather than fast-paced crime thrillers.

One penned: “One of the best documentaries Netflix has ever released — a masterpiece.”

The series marks another high-profile collaboration for Danes, best known for Homeland, and Rhys, whose previous work includes The Americans. Their pairing has been widely discussed online, with fans highlighting the on-screen tension between the two leads.

One viewer summed up the mood online, posting simply: “Probably the best thing Netflix has dropped in a long time.”

Netflix has not yet confirmed whether The Beast in Me will return for a second series, thought some fans are already speculating about a possible plot twist.