Netflix’s 2-Part Fantasy Show That’s ‘The Magicians Meets Shadowhunters’ Deserves Its 100% RT Score

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As a critic, it always frustrates me when truly great shows don’t get the attention they deserve, and that’s especially true in the fantasy world. We’ve seen a huge boom in the genre over the last ten years, with shows like The Magicians and Shadowhunters building really dedicated fan bases. The Magicians was a clever take on the magical school story, following a guy who accidentally ends up at a magic university and uncovers some dark secrets about the books he loved as a kid. Shadowhunters, on the other hand, leaned into the classic ‘chosen one’ trope, telling the story of a young woman who discovers she has magical powers and a hidden family history tied to the supernatural.

While shows like The Magicians and Shadowhunters appeared on traditional TV, fantasy has really thrived with the rise of streaming services. All the major platforms are now investing in the genre, and Netflix has some particularly great fantasy series. It’s often a shame, though, that streaming shows don’t always get the chance to fully develop their stories – and that happened with The Order. This 2019 series was one of Netflix’s best fantasy shows, but it was canceled too soon. Still, it shares a lot with popular fantasy TV and is definitely worth checking out.

The Order Is The Perfect Storm Of Fantasy And Horror

Netflix’s Hidden Gem Is A Genre-Bending Treat

Similar to stories like The Magicians and Shadowhunters, The Order centers around a young adult whose world is changed by discovering magic. Jack Morton, a new student at Belgrave University, becomes fascinated by a secret society called the Hermetic Order of the Blue Rose, which secretly controls the campus. As Jack delves deeper into magic, he uncovers his own destiny and learns about the magical creatures hidden among us.

Though magic schools often feature witches and werewolves, The Order stands out as a surprisingly dark fantasy. It sharply contrasts light and dark magic, and presents classic monsters as truly frightening enemies. As the story unfolds, students become targets of a killer mage, and the deaths become increasingly disturbing. This turns The Order‘s central mystery into a terrifying thriller, feeling more like a serial killer story than a typical fantasy about growing up and fulfilling prophecies.

Despite its dark and unsettling atmosphere, The Order is actually a strong series. By blending fantasy with horror, it differentiates itself from other shows in the genre and attracts a wider audience. If you don’t typically watch fantasy but enjoy horror, The Order provides plenty of scares alongside a detailed magic system. Critics praised this unique combination, which is why it’s a shame the show was canceled after only two seasons.

The Order’s Cancellation Points To A Bigger Problem In Fantasy TV Shows

Critical Acclaim Isn’t Always Enough To Secure Longevity

As a big fan of streaming shows, I have to say the early cancellation of The Order really struck me. We see shows get axed all the time on Netflix – fans start petitions, there’s a lot of online upset… it’s become pretty common. But The Order felt different. It wasn’t just a show people liked; critics loved it too. In fact, it had a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, which is something even Netflix’s biggest successes rarely manage. You’d think that would have kept it safe, but apparently not.

Fantasy TV shows often face incredibly high expectations. If a new series doesn’t immediately become a huge hit, it’s usually cancelled before it has a chance to fully develop its story, leading to many beloved shows ending abruptly and unsatisfyingly. Luckily, The Order remains a compelling watch, and its complete two-season arc is ideal for a weekend binge.

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2026-05-02 00:58