Why Paradise Is the Must-Watch Show of 2025: A Political Thriller With a Sci-Fi Twist

Every once in a while, a show comes along that completely blows expectations out of the water—and Paradise is that show. What starts as a political thriller quickly unravels into a gripping series with a sci-fi twist that keeps you on the edge of your seat every Tuesday night.

Created by Dan Fogelman (This Is Us, Pitch —I still can't get over Pitch), Paradise stars Sterling K. Brown, Julianne Nicholson, and James Marsden, all deliver phenomenal performances that bring this high-stakes story to life in ways you never see coming.

What Is Paradise About?

Paradise is an eight-episode drama-thriller centered around Special Agent Xavier Collins (Sterling K. Brown), a dedicated Secret Service agent assigned to protect former President Cal Bradford (James Marsden). But in the very first episode, the unthinkable happens—Bradford is murdered, and Collins, a single father of two, becomes the prime suspect.

As the investigation into the President’s murder unfolds, flashbacks reveal the complex relationship between Collins and Bradford. We see how Collins was personally selected by Bradford to serve as his protector, how he once took a bullet for him, and how their relationship soured—leading to a heated argument just hours before Bradford’s death.

Not Just a "Who Done It"—It’s So Much More

When Paradise was first announced, the trailer had us thinking this would be your typical political thriller with a Secret Service angle. But from Episode 1, something felt off. As the episodes progressed, the layers started peeling back, revealing that Paradise isn’t just about the murder of President Bradford—it’s about a doomsday-level event, a hidden power struggle, and a town that may not even be real.

If you're a fan of thriller series with some sci-fi sprinkled in, Paradise is made for you. The storytelling is sharp, the flashbacks are essential (and not just filler), and the twists? Absolutely wild.

Plot Twist That Changes Everything

By the end of the first episode, everything takes a shocking turn.

In a pivotal flashback, General Curtleigh (Scott Lawrence) warns Collins that he is about to learn top-secret, highly classified information. Meanwhile, in the present day, we see Collins running through a seemingly picture-perfect town—one with advanced technology, artificial ducks, and a sign that reads “Dawn Delayed by Two Hours.”

And then, the biggest revelation—Collins looks up at the sky, only for viewers to realize that he’s already living inside an underground bunker.

The pieces fall into place when General Curtleigh reveals the truth to Collins in the Oval Office: “We are preparing for a massive catastrophe that could cause an extinction-level event for humanity in the very near, very real future. In preparation, we have begun construction underneath a mountain in Colorado.”

What initially seemed like a straightforward political thriller suddenly turns into a chilling drama about survival, secrecy, and the lengths the government will go to protect its own.

Two of My Favorite Episodes:

Episode 4: A Masterclass in Character Development

Paradise Episode 4, "Agent Billy Pace", was a game-changer—it packed some of the best character development I’ve seen in such a short span, making me instantly invested in Agent William "Billy" Pace. Jon Beavers absolutely nailed his performance, bringing depth and vulnerability to a character I didn’t expect to connect with so quickly.

** Spoiler ** And those final five minutes? Stressful. Every time Billy spoke, I found myself muting the TV, convinced he was going to be killed during that conversation with Xavier. Then, the moment I saw Jane sitting at his house, it clicked—she was Sinatra’s biggest plant all along. That scene had me yelling at my screen.

Episode 7: Pure Chaos (In the Best Way)

I don’t think I’ve ever been this glued to my screen watching a TV series—Paradise Episode 7, "The Day" was anxiety-inducing, intense, and eerily plausible. The way the tension built throughout the episode had me on edge, making it feel like something that could very well happen in the near future.

And let’s talk about Sterling K. Brown, James Marsden, and the entire cast—they delivered in every possible way. Their performances were nothing short of phenomenal, with each scene packed with raw emotion and high stakes. They acted their asses off, and if I don’t see some award nominations next season, we riot.

The Best Show of 2025? No Question.

We’re not even halfway through the year, and Paradise is already the standout series of 2025.

And tonight? The season finale is finally here. I have no idea how Agent Collins is going to handle Sinatra’s threats, but I do know one thing—it’s going to be a thriller.

If you’re not watching Paradise, you’re seriously missing out. You can watch all the episodes of Paradise now streaming on Hulu.