A canceled Prime Video original just landed at No. 3 on Netflix. “Absentia” is a Prime Video original that ran for three seasons starting in 2017 before ultimately being canceled in 2021. Since then, it remained on the Amazon-owned service until Netflix picked up the rights and began streaming all 30 episodes.
Since its arrival on the big red streamer on November 14, “Absentia” has quickly climbed the top 10 list, settling in No. 3 spot. That’s probably not just because of its compelling premise and status as a psychological thriller, but also because it practically screams pure binge-worthy material during this time of year.
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“Absentia” centers around a once‑missing FBI agent who is found alive six years after being declared dead (with no memory of her time in captivity) and returns to a world where her family has moved on. With an intriguing mystery like this, I’m not surprised it’s climbing Netflix’s charts. And if you’re curious or need a new binge-watch this week, here’s everything you need to know.
What is ‘Absentia’ about?
“Absentia” is a psychological thriller about FBI agent Emily Byrne (Stana Katic), who vanishes while hunting a notorious serial killer and is presumed dead. Six years later, she’s discovered alive in a remote cabin, traumatized, weak, and suffering from amnesia.
When she returns home, she finds her husband has remarried and her young son has grown up without her. As she struggles to rebuild her identity and reconnect with her family, Emily is drawn into a new string of murders. Suspicion mounts, and she becomes the prime suspect, forcing her to unravel the mystery of who held her captive and why.
Should you stream ‘Absentia’ on Netflix?
Hearing that a show was canceled might put some viewers off, since the word is often associated with poor performance or unresolved cliffhangers. But “Absentia” proves that’s not always the case. Stana Katic, the lead and an executive producer, explained that the story was always planned for three seasons. A fourth season was considered, but the team couldn’t find an idea that felt true to the story.
“Absentia” actually had enough juice to run for three seasons on a demanding platform like Prime Video. While season 3 leaves the door open for a potential future, it also wraps up key storylines, offering satisfying binge-watching without leaving you without answers.
It’s no secret that the best streaming services thrive on thrillers since most top 10 lists are packed with them, especially on Netflix. “Absentia” leans into the twisty mystery trope with a missing person resurfacing years later, her case tied to other murders. But the show also uses its three-season arc to develop its characters at the heart of the story. With each season revealing new twists, you’ll feel compelled to binge every episode.
Of course, while there’s enough mystery to make “Absentia” intriguing, it suffers from some common genre flaws: it can be confusing at times and sometimes feels like a self-serious version of many other network shows about serial killers. Katic’s performance is solid and heartbreaking in the darker scenes, but the story itself isn’t as impactful as other gritty crime dramas like “Mindhunter” or “Blindspot.”
It’s also worth noting that “Absentia” wasn’t a huge hit with critics back in 2017, as season 1 earned a middling 50% on Rotten Tomatoes, with audiences rating it slightly higher at 68%. The site’s consensus reads: “Absentia sticks too closely to the procedural handbook, leaving its capable lead and mildly intriguing mystery treading water.”
Suzi Feay from Financial Times said: “The most intriguing moments in Absentia arise not from the whodunnit element but rather the sheer weirdness.”
While "Absentia” may not have been a standout show, it had enough story and mystery to run for three seasons and has clearly sparked interest with Netflix viewers. As long as you keep your expectations in check, “Absentia” could make for a gripping binge-watch when you want to cozy up indoors and stream. Plus, there's 30 episodes.
Stream all 3 seasons of "Absentia" on Netflix.
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