Skip the endless scrolling; we’ve curated the best options for you. If you’re a big fan of true crime, start with Monsters, a dramatized version of the true story of Lyle and Erik Menendez, created by Ryan Murphy. The documentary The Menendez Brothers follows the same story. This tale takes place in Beverly Hills and is compelling for many reasons, including the conviction that followed the O.J. Simpson trial, the outcomes of the first and second trials of the Menendez brothers, and perhaps most importantly, what you will learn at the end of the last episode of the documentary.

If true crime isn’t your preference and you’d rather watch something political, don’t miss the series The Diplomat. The gist of the story is this: how would the world look if someone who is perfect for the job, but not remotely interested in having political power, were suddenly thrust into that position?

Keri Russell, despite her reluctance, becomes America’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom. What’s even more surprising is that she is being considered for an even higher position. Being Ambassador is just a test of her political skills.

She is also married to a former Ambassador from whom she wants a divorce. Unlike her husband, Keri Russell’s chracter is not power-hungry, so she is surrounded by political animals trying to do her job while the question looms: do they want her for the bigger role because of her expertise and unique perspective, or because of her husband?

The first season is now on Netflix, and the second season premieres on October 31, with Allison Janney joining the cast. While you might think this show is like The West Wing, it isn’t. But it is perhaps the most brilliant political show we’ve seen since The West Wing ended 18 years ago.

Unlike The West Wing, The Diplomat does not romanticize public service or the presidency. It shows what happens when flimsy intelligence (or made-up intelligence) is used to plan an attack on a country. The show features dry humor, a solid ensemble cast, and smart writing. The lessons learned from the invasions Iraq and Afghanistan serve as a reminder that this is not entirely out of another time.

For those who enjoyed movies like Girl, Interrupted or who didn’t think that series or films dealing with the subject of mental institutions and mental health are too dark or depressing, the Italian series Everything Calls for Salvation might be the way to go.

It is dubbed in English, and they’ve done such a good job that you have to applaud them. Beyond the dubbing, the story follows a young man who has a job he doesn’t really like (as a salesman), but it allows him to go out, party with his friends, and use hardcore drugs. However, drugs affect individuals differently. This person comes home and goes psychotic, ultimately ending up in a mental institution. What leads to his commitment is for you to find out.

Once in the hospital, his behavior reflects that of a person who believes he doesn’t belong there. What happens within those walls is what makes this show so unique and strangely addictive.

The first season consists of seven episodes, each named after a day of the week: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and so forth. After the first season, which was released in 2022, the show takes its time releasing a second season, but it makes sense. Five episodes from season two have been released, and the young man at the heart of the story is someone many will connect with for a variety of reasons.

If you’re interested in mental health awareness, this is the show for you. It’s not just about being institutionalized but about realizing that mental illness can affect anyone and that individuals need to take steps to maintain their sanity. It also explores the idea of what it means to fight any form of mental illness and what one could do if they took all the right steps and still found themselves feeling low.

Everything Calls for Salvation is not going to answer every question you have about mental illness or how to maintain sanity in an unjust, unequal, increasingly intolerant world. It thoughtfully examines our ideas, leaving us to ponder. The show highlights the challenges of battling any illness.­