Following the phenomenon Stranger Things, a Netflix series among the most popular, set in a small town like Hawkins, those seeking a more intimate location with sci-fi vibes will be pleased to discover three titles that span across genres while emphasizing tight-knit, isolated communities. Stepping away from chaotic metropolises, the storytelling in this case opts for small centers that can amplify the claustrophobic contrast between familiar, reassuring daily life and the chaos sparked by the unknown. Here are three TV series that move between horror and comedy to best convey sci-fi on the small screen in close-knit locations.
Mysteries in the Province: sci-fi series to watch if you loved Stranger Things
From
As of now consisting of four seasons, From is a sci-fi series conceived by John Griffin that blends science fiction and horror, placing its story in a small town seemingly cut off from the rest of the world. Located in the heart of the United States, this village has drawn in a string of unlucky visitors over time who, once there, discovered they could not leave. Trapped in this new reality, the townspeople are forced to follow a rule: do not step outside at night, because it is precisely then that mysterious and terrifying creatures will try to kill them. Sheriff Boyd Stevens, a former veteran, struggles to maintain order while simultaneously seeking a way out to save everyone. In this instance, the close-knit locale is taken to the extreme, because not only is the setting exceedingly small, but it also poses a danger to all its residents and is inhabited by a supernatural force that cannot be controlled.
Resident Alien
Switching genres to comedy, Resident Alien is set in the small town of Patience and tells the story of an alien who crash-lands on Earth with the aim of eradicating humanity, yet ultimately becomes part of the community. Assuming the guise of the local doctor Harry Vanderspeigle, the alien must navigate this double life, balancing duties as the town’s physician with his mission for his people. A quirky character, Harry meets Asta, who becomes his right-hand and a bridge to his more human side, but the town also features Max, a child who can see him in his true alien form and therefore strives to stop him in any way he can. Patience is a mountainous, close-knit town where individual eccentricities are welcomed, allowing an alien to feel at home. The series runs for four seasons and is available for streaming in Italy on Netflix.
Twin Peaks
A quintessential close-knit town that made TV history is the fictional one where The Secrets of Twin Peaks is set. Created by David Lynch and Mark Frost, Twin Peaks marked a milestone in the realm of television. With two seasons originally aired and later revived, the story unfolds in the eponymous town the title references, located in Washington State on the border between the United States and Canada—a seemingly peaceful village where the discovery of Laura Palmer’s corpse captures the FBI’s attention. Special Agent Dale Cooper arrives on the scene and soon finds himself mired in one mystery after another. Today the series is available for streaming on Paramount+ and TimVision.
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