Why you need to watch Hannibal on Netflix

Bryan Fuller’s hit horror series Hannibal is now streaming on Netflix

If you’re not already a Fannibal, now is the perfect time to become one. Since its premiere in 2013, Hannibal has been praised as a masterful product of the “second golden age of television.”

All three seasons of the modern-day reimagining of Thomas Harris’s book series about the infamous cannibal Dr. Hannibal Lecter and his wicked relationship with Will Graham will be available to stream on Netflix, starting June 5.

Hannibal is based primarily on the first and third books of Harris’s series, “Red Dragon” and “Hannibal,” with tidbits of the fourth book (a prequel) “Hannibal Rising” in Season 3. The series was developed by Bryan Fuller who envisioned it as a six-season story, with a mix of original and adapted material, but unfortunately, his vision was cut short and the series ended in 2015.

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Similar to the original novel, Hannibal is not centered around Hannibal Lector as much as it is around special agent Will Graham. Cursed, and gifted, with the unique ability to experience a psychopath’s perspective, Will is tasked with tracking down and catching the worst of the worst for the FBI.

Looking into the minds of killers is not easy and his “gifts” become a burden on his psyche. Through his work, he meets Dr. Lector and the bloodiest courtship in the history of television begins.

Hannibal is a dark romance in a dark setting

Why is it a good time to watch Hannibal? There are two reasons, but the first one is because it’s pride month and Hannibal is nothing if not a horror romance.

"Will Graham: “Is Hannibal in love with me?Dr. Bedelia Du Maurier: “Could he daily feel a stab of hunger for you and find nourishment at the very sight of you? Yes.”"

Yes. Pretty straightforward right there. They share a unique relationship that may not be the most healthy but is built on true understanding. Hannibal and Will are the only two people in the world who can not only relate to one another but also appreciate one another.

It’s the core drive of the series, their push and pull. A lonely man with a damaged mind is led by Hannibal down Hell’s staircase. It’s a dark seduction.

I feel the need to point out that the very first scene used to introduce Mads Mikkelsen’s character features a close up of a pomegranate, the fruit used to entrap Persephone in the Underworld. There are several comparisons to Hannibal and the Greek God Hades in the series, and Will to Persephone. It’s not exactly subtle.

Hannibal Season 4 might be on its way

The second reason why you should watch the series on Netflix is that Season 4 might be on its way. Fans have been very vocal in their wishes to see Hannibal return and complete its original six-season run, campaigning to get the series renewed.

Netflix, a network known for purchasing canceled shows and then renewing them, announced in May that it would be streaming all three seasons of Hannibal. Not long after, Mads Mikkelsen released a post on Instagram that reportedly teased a possible Season 4.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CAahKwSpUn4/?utm_source=ig_embed

There’s a chance that Netflix will do with Hannibal what they did to Breaking Bad. Ending in 2013, Breaking Bad was given a film sequel made by Netflix titled El Camino starring Aaron Paul. It gave the series a final wrap up by revealing what happened to Jesse Pinkman after the finale. Netflix also did something similar for Gilmore Girls, which ended in 2007, and developed a four-episode miniseries that took place nearly a decade after the finale, Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life.

According to Bryan Fuller, a film might be the perfect way to end Hannibal for good. This past year, he disclosed that if given the opportunity, he’s likely to deliver the fourth season in the form of a film to explain the cliffhanger ending and other loose ends.

The film would  “something in the novel Hannibal that has not been done in any of the adaptations”, Fuller told The Hollywood Reporter.

"“I’m hoping that someday, whether it’s a year from now – two years from now – that we will continue to get to tell that story,” Fuller said. “I feel like if Will Graham did survive that plunge, his most interesting chapter is yet to be told.”"

Use this opportunity to binge the series so that if Netflix decides to make a movie-finale, you’ll be ready. CBS has recently announced a Silence of the Lambs spin-off centered around Clarice Starling titled Clarice, now would be the perfect time to release another chapter of Madds Mikkelsen and Hugh Dancy’s mindf***ery.

Season 1 of Hannibal is currently streaming on Netflix with Seasons 2 and 3 expected to follow.