Netflix’s Best New Crime Thriller With 91% On Rotten Tomatoes Is A Perfect 8-Part Binge

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Netflix’s new crime drama, How To Get To Heaven From Belfast, is a standout show and a must-watch for anyone who loves murder mysteries. These types of mysteries have become very popular again lately, and Netflix has been a leader in bringing them to audiences.

Netflix has created both of the Knives Out sequels and consistently offers a variety of murder mystery shows and films, from lighthearted and family-friendly to intensely violent. Their most popular show of 2026, His & Hers, is a dark and suspenseful murder mystery with an unexpected twist.

Both Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials and another popular show were released on the same streaming service just a week apart. Given this, it’s no surprise that How To Get To Heaven From Belfast, the new series from Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee, is yet another excellent murder mystery on Netflix.

How To Get To Heaven From Belfast Is A Critically Acclaimed Crime Thriller

Perhaps the most surprising thing about How To Get To Heaven From Belfast is how different it is from Lisa McGee’s previous work. While shows like London Irish and Derry Girls were funny comedies that combined lovable characters with witty political observations and strong language, this new series represents a significant change in style.

McGee co-wrote the Channel 5 miniseries The Deceived with Tobias Beer. This intense psychological thriller felt more like Gone Girl than the comedy Derry Girls. In her novel, How To Get To Heaven From Belfast, McGee blends her skill for creating realistic and funny characters with the suspense of a murder mystery, resulting in what many consider to be her strongest work yet.

How To Get To Heaven From Belfast centers on three school friends in their 40s who are shaken by the supposed death of a classmate. When they travel to her hometown in Donegal for the wake, they discover she isn’t actually dead, and something mysterious is happening.

Each episode of How To Get To Heaven From Belfast adds more layers of intrigue, and it’s fun to spot familiar Irish actors like Emmet Scanlan, Bronagh Gallagher, and Saoirse-Monica Jackson in smaller roles. With a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, this critically praised series is a must-watch for anyone who enjoys murder mysteries.

How To Get To Heaven From Belfast Is As Funny As It Is Tense

Similar to Derry Girls, How To Get To Heaven From Belfast focuses on a group of relatable and endearing main characters. Just like those girls, Saoirse, Robyn, and Dara quickly win you over. Their investigation into a friend’s death leads to situations that are frequently both awkward and risky.

The story kicks off with three friends accidentally stumbling into the wrong funeral – a Kenny Rogers impersonator’s – while trying to find out if their friend is actually gone. It’s immediately obvious they’re not equipped to handle the mystery they’ve gotten themselves into. The humor is heightened by the fact that one of them, Saoirse, writes murder mysteries for a living.

The show How To Get To Heaven From Belfast cleverly pokes fun at common tropes found in psychological thrillers. It consistently predicts what viewers might expect and then delightfully turns those expectations on their head. Despite this playful mockery, the show genuinely appreciates and understands the art of building suspense.

How To Get to Heaven From Belfast Is A Perfect Followup To Netflix’s Earlier Cult Hit

Writing murder mysteries tends to make Saoirse a bit paranoid and prone to elaborate, often flawed, plans. However, this way of thinking actually helps her navigate the complicated story of How To Get To Heaven From Belfast. Although she struggles to convince others, her gut feeling about the suspicious circumstances surrounding her friend’s death turns out to be correct.

The strength of How To Get To Heaven From Belfast lies in its ability to playfully poke fun at common murder mystery clichés, even as it embraces them. Unlike many thrillers that are overly serious, this show isn’t afraid to balance the darkness with plenty of humor.

Given its creator, strong ’90s vibe, and story of a group of girls facing trouble, How To Get To Heaven From Belfast feels very similar to Derry Girls. However, its focus on feminist thriller elements and surprising plot twists also make it comparable to The Deceived.

McGee’s newest show successfully combines the best parts of her previous work, resulting in a murder mystery that’s both hilarious and heartwarming, while still being suspenseful and exciting. It’s a difficult balance to strike, but “How To Get To Heaven From Belfast” achieves it with skill and a lot of charm.

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2026-02-17 21:41