Stephen King, the iconic author known for his captivating and original stories, has praised a Netflix mini-series, calling it the ‘best of the best.’ King’s works have often been transformed into memorable television series and films, and he knows talent when he sees it. He recently expressed admiration for a particular Netflix show, highlighting one scene as ‘eye-popping.’ If you’re searching for something new to watch, this series should definitely be on your list.
The seven-part crime drama first aired on Showtime in 2018 and made its way to Netflix six years later.
Directed by Ben Stiller and created by Brett Johnson and Michael Tolkin, the show is inspired by the true events of a 2015 escape from Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, New York.
On June 6, 2015, two convicted murderers, Richard Matt and David Sweat, managed to escape from the maximum-security prison. They did so by cutting through cell walls and navigating utility areas with tools covertly provided by prison staff.
The escape led to an extensive 22-day manhunt across several states, ultimately proving to be unsuccessful for the escapees.
In the series, Patricia Arquette portrays Joyce ‘Tilly’ Mitchell, a married prison worker who becomes romantically involved with both inmates, aiding in their escape. Benicio del Toro stars as Richard Matt, while Paul Dano plays David Sweat.
The series, titled Escape at Dannemora, became available on Netflix in October 2024 and by January 2025, it had accumulated an impressive 40.4 million viewing hours.
Stephen King took to X, previously known as Twitter, to commend the series. He wrote: “ESCAPE AT DANNEMORA is TV at its best. But the best of the best? The 9-minute+ opening of Episode 5 appears to be one continuous, eye-popping shot.
“Ben Stiller directs; Jessica Lee Gage is the DP who brings it off with seemingly effortless panache.”
Fans on Rotten Tomatoes echoed King’s sentiments, giving the show a 92 percent rating. One viewer commented, “Great show!! Acting was top notch. Wish I would have watched it sooner,” while another added, “Excellent in every regard. Intriguing story, well written, and perfect acting.”
A third fan mentioned, “The acting, direction, cinematography are spot on,” and praised Stiller for creating “a gem here.”
Critics also rated the series at 89 percent, with their consensus stating: “Escape at Dannemora’s slow pace demands patience, but those willing to wait will be rewarded with a chilling mystery that provides the perfect showcase for its talented cast — especially so for the incredible Patricia Arquette.”
Escape at Dannemora is currently available for streaming on Netflix in the US.