Fans have taken to social media and review platforms to praise the HBO crime drama The Night Of, calling it an underrated masterpiece and one of the best series they have ever seen. The eight-part miniseries, which aired in 2016, follows Naz Khan (Riz Ahmed), a college student who spends the night with a mysterious woman and wakes up to find her brutally murdered. With no memory of the events, Naz becomes the prime suspect and must navigate the complex American justice system to prove his innocence.
Critical Acclaim and Awards
Written by Richard Price and Steven Zaillian, The Night Of is based on the first series of the British show Criminal Justice, released in 2008. The series also stars John Turturro, Michael Kenneth Williams, Bill Camp, Jeannie Berlin, Payman Maadi, and Poorna Jagannathan. Ahmed's performance earned him the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series in 2017, while Turturro and Williams received nominations for Best Supporting Actor.
Fan Reactions
On IMDB, one reviewer praised the show's "suspense, drama, action, and twist and turns," adding: "But what makes this show so good is the performance of Riz Ahmed. Ahmed is the star here, but he's not the only one to give a great performance. As always John Turturro and Michael Kenneth Williams were as terrific as always. They both were nominated for best supporting actors in a miniseries for their work here. I was hooked from the start. It will keep you guessing throughout the series. The show is best watched binged so make sure you give yourself enough time before starting it."
Another fan on Reddit described the series as "just perfect" in response to a thread asking for the most underrated crime dramas. A third viewer wrote: "Visually, 'The Night Of' is a masterpiece. The dark and gritty atmosphere of New York City is beautifully captured, immersing viewers in the seedy underbelly of the city. The use of lighting, cinematography, and sound design heightens the tension, creating an unsettling ambiance that adds an extra layer of depth to the narrative. The attention to detail in every frame is a testament to the artistic vision of the creators."
One fan called it the "perfect thriller drama" and elaborated: "Amazing series. Series like this remind what true cinematography is. How a series can make you feel so sad for the lead and just in a couple episodes make you doubt him, hate him and then understand him. The suspense with the music the unexpected turns and twists. Great series, would maybe even say too great and distressing at moments. Every casting choice was spot on. With the characters the serie adds a perfect amount of humor, drama and thrills. Almost every character had you loving and doubting them, with the constant thought of who's in the right and who's in the wrong."
Another added: "I have watched a lot of series over the years and this one is right up there with the best I have seen. I found myself drawn to it right from the opening scene."
Where to Watch
The Night Of is available to stream on NOW with a NOW Entertainment Membership. Episodes are also available to purchase on Amazon Prime Video.
