When two horror legends like Stephen King and Guillermo del Toro sing the praises of a show, you should probably pay attention. Both masters of the macabre have publicly endorsed Apple TV+'s Servant, a four-part supernatural thriller from M. Night Shyamalan that flew under the radar when it first debuted. Now, with the series complete and streaming in full, it's time to give this creepy, clever gem a second look.
King called the show "extremely creepy and totally involving," while del Toro described it as "a beautifully crafted, elegant show" that is "surreal, iconoclastic and insidiously creepy in many small ways." High praise from two storytellers who know a thing or two about scares.
A Folk Horror Tale with a Twist
Servant centers on Sean Turner (Toby Kebbell), a celebrity chef, and his wife Dorothy (Lauren Ambrose), a TV news reporter, who are grieving the loss of their infant son Jericho. To cope, Dorothy cares for a lifelike doll as if it were real. Enter Leanne Grayson (Nell Tiger Free), a mysterious nanny hired to help—but her presence triggers a chain of unsettling events involving a godless cult and an ancient curse.
What starts as a psychological drama about grief quickly spirals into a folk horror mystery that keeps you guessing. The show's half-hour episodes are packed with scares and twists, with no filler. As Shyamalan's best work does, Servant builds a believable world before introducing the supernatural, making the horror hit harder.
Dark Comedy Meets Family Dysfunction
One of the show's strengths is its darkly comedic edge. The characters are deeply flawed—selfish, manipulative, and often the architects of their own misfortune. This makes the horror more palatable; you're not just watching innocent people suffer. The power dynamics constantly shift, keeping the tension fresh. Even the wealthy Turners can't control everything, especially when Leanne holds the key to Jericho's soul.
The series also offers a surprisingly honest look at family relationships and how grief lingers long after a tragedy. It's a show that understands trauma doesn't have a timeline.
Why It Deserves a Second Look
Servant premiered before Apple TV+ had established itself as a destination for prestige genre content. Many viewers missed it. But with Shyamalan's recent comeback—thanks to hits like Split, Glass, and Old—audiences are more willing to revisit his earlier work. The show also holds up well as a binge-watch, with its tight pacing and escalating mythology.
If you're looking for more underrated Apple TV+ horror, check out The Changeling, another overlooked fantasy-horror series. And for more binge-worthy thrillers, our list of 8 perfect shows under 20 episodes includes plenty of options.
Servant is a total blast—a show that prioritizes scares over mystery boxes and rewards patient viewers. With King and del Toro's stamp of approval, it's time to give this Apple TV+ thriller the attention it deserves.
