Supermax

In the realm of shows that explore the confines of mind-boggling mystery, high intensity, and gripping drama, Supermax stands out as a spine-chilling offering from Amazon Addon in 2016. The series, flowing through one season, is a masterpiece crafted by the brilliant minds of Mario Segade and Mariano Ardanaz. It oozes intricate plot lines that constantly keep audiences on the edge of their seats, asking for more.

The Argentine-Brazilian series centers around the concept of a reality TV show gone horribly awry. Eight participants, each with a distinct background and peculiar characteristics, enter the shuttered doors of an isolated, abandoned maximum security prison located deep in the wilderness. Known as the Supermax facility, it's famed for housing serial killers, psychopathic criminals, and notorious felons in the eerie past. However, for this twisted reality show, the facility becomes a horrifying gauntlet. The diverse characters are ushered into this chilling labyrinth under the sarcastic pretext of winning a mighty prize money at the end of a harrowing survival game.

The former host of the reality show, Santiago Milla (played by the versatile Juan Minujín), is one of the eight contestants - a man ravaged by his past scandal and desperate to claim redemption. As the contestants, they are all mysterious in their own right, each buried beneath their own skeletons making way into the game. As they walk through the cold, sinister corridors of the Supermax prison, they are being closely watched by an external production team - their only contact with the outside world.

However, as the days pass, the line between the staged part of the reality show and the hideous reality within the prison starts to blur. The eager contestants are left disoriented, as they grapple with unexpected events, panic, and psychological terror. It's not just about staying alive anymore, but about preventing their sanity from slipping away in the claustrophobic confines of Supermax.

At the production helm, the viewers get to witness a unique blend of personalities with their brewing tensions. These characters are no less complex, each carrying their own set of motives and ethical struggles, as they control the fate of the contestants inside the Supermax prison. As the chilling mystery unravels in the dystopian setting, it leaves one to wonder – who is the real prisoner?

Supermax comes forth as a genre-bending spectacle combining elements of psychological thriller, crime, drama, and horror. It explores profound themes - the human instinct for survival, the thin line between sanity and madness, voyeurism, the sprawling horror of confinement, and the moral entropy brought on by fear. The series successfully stitches together the different genres, ensuing a taut narrative that keeps the viewers begging for respite yet hungry for the next episode.

The camera work is exceptional, transforming the labyrinthine prison into a living, breathing character in the series - outright ominous and haunting. The series shines in its depiction of the eerie stillness in the prison that subtly mounts into a suspenseful horror. The sense of isolation and dreariness is almost palpable, further amplified by the haunting background score.

The meticulously constructed plot twists and clever narrative devices make every new revelation a startling surprise, holding the audience in the continual aura of suspense. The lines between good and evil, normal and abnormal, and reality and insanity cleverly blur, turning the atmosphere uncomfortably grey. The performances from the cast are compelling, intensifying the effect of the shrouded mystery. The genuine fears, the raw desperation, and the gnawing tension are flawlessly translated onto the screen by the ensemble.

Supermax, in all its mysterious glory, ends up being much more than a television series. It's an experience. It's a haunting journey into the unknown, a thrilling ride filled with unexpected depths and corners. It's a terrifying examination of the darker sides of human nature. Supermax is sure to leave a lasting impact, haunting the viewers long after they've switched off their screens. It's not just a show, but an intricately woven tapestry of mystery, human instinct, and profound horror. Watch, if you dare.