Born to Kill

A haunting exploration of the mind of Sam, a teenager who's on the verge of acting out hidden psychopathic desires.

Born to Kill (2017) is a British psychological thriller miniseries created by Kate Ashfield and Tracey Maloney and broadcast on Channel 4. Across four 48-minute episodes, the story follows Sam, a teenager on the verge of acting out hidden psychopathic desires, as his household slowly reorganises itself around a secret it cannot quite name. Jack Rowan plays Sam, while Romola Garai plays his mother Jenny, whose efforts to read her son and protect the family grow more fraught with every scene. Daniel Mays plays Bill, a figure whose presence adds pressure to the domestic unit. The engine of the show is quiet, mounting suspicion: ordinary suburban routines, school life and family meals become places where dread accumulates and every small gesture carries weight. Each episode deepens the unease rather than resolving it through a case of the week, so the four hours unfold as one continuous, claustrophobic study of a family under strain. The tone is haunting and austere, with the menace emerging from restraint rather than spectacle. Viewers drawn to unsettling character studies will find resonance with We Need to Talk About Kevin and the domestic unease of Ozark. Its brief run makes it a concentrated, demanding watch for adults who want psychological tension over action.

• We Need to Talk About Kevinpsychological dread, unsettling teenage menace, domestic family tension
• The Bad Seedtroubled teen with dark hidden impulses, slow burn psychological thriller
• Ozarkquiet suburban unease concealing a disturbing secret, tense mother and son dynamic

Created by

Kate Ashfield, Tracey Maloney

Release Date

2017-04-20

Episode runtime

48 min

Rating

7.2 / 10 (45)

What is Born to Kill about?

A teenager on the verge of acting out hidden psychopathic desires tests the bonds of his family in this haunting British miniseries.

What is Born to Kill like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Born to Kill as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.

Is Born to Kill violent?

Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Born to Kill as moderate.

Which shows are like Born to Kill?

Shows with a similar feel include We Need to Talk About Kevin, The Bad Seed, and Ozark.

How long is Born to Kill?

Born to Kill: 1 season, 4 episodes.

Is Born to Kill still running?

No, Born to Kill has ended.

Where can I watch Born to Kill?

In United States, Born to Kill is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, Fandango At Home.