Netflix’s 100% Rotten Tomatoes Supernatural Thriller Is Your Next Dark Obsession

Netflix’s Near-Perfect 8-Episode Masterpiece Thriller Is Your Next Supernatural Binge

Published Oct 21, 2026, 12:12 PM EDT

Molly DeCastro is a New York-based emerging film and entertainment journalist with a personal passion for poetic prose and impactful storytelling. She graduated from Pace University with a degree in English and a concentration in creative writing. While film analysis is at the heart of her work, she is especially interested in exploring cinema through an anthropological lens and in examining how creative themes reflect cultural identity. She aims to forge a deep connection between audiences and film through thoughtful and evocative writing.

She also enjoys keeping up with all things film! That means specializing in industry news, emerging directors, and stand-out projects.

Set in a fictionalized Joseon Dynasty, wherein the royal court is plagued by a fatal supernatural curse, The East Palace begins when a third prince is found inexplicably dead. The court drama directed by Choi Jung-Kyu captures the pairing of a ghost slayer who can see and walk amongst the dead, and a lowly noblewoman who can hear them in effervescent whispers. The two, Gu-Cheon, portrayed by Nam Joo-Hyuk, and Saeng-gang, played by Roh Yoon-seo, investigate the malevolent spirits and the haunting world in which they reside. Slowly, as they begin to uncover the past, an underbelly of political greed, unrest, and murder slowly crawls into the present.

The series earned a shocking and incredibly rare 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics have praised its rich, high-end design and detailed production. The story has also been commended for its intriguing blend of historical drama and supernatural folklore. Not only that, but the video-game-esque action sequences and inspired battle shots provided a quickened pace to the slow-burn story. The series expertly combines the ornate royalty of well-loved shows like Bridgerton with the tantalizing horror of The Haunting of Bly Manor.

What Audiences Should Expect from Netflix's 'The East Palace'

Image via Netflix

As stated prior, with its foundational layer of intrigue, The East Palace puts a paranormal, spellbinding twist on the court drama genre. In short, the audience is dropped into this dark and winding world in the midst of a tragic mystery. Someone, or something, has put a curse on the royal family. Practically all of the king's heirs have perished, and the kingdom is growing desperate. In an attempt to save his youngest son from the same fate, the king kidnaps Gu-Cheon, who, after a near-death experience, can both hear and walk alongside the dead in their otherworldly labyrinth known as the Realm of Gwi. Because of the terror and trauma associated with his abilities, Gu-Cheon typically avoids reality altogether, sleeping, inebriated, or otherwise unreachable. However, if he doesn't get to the bottom of this mystery, the king has promised to personally behead him.

In a forced agreement, Gu-Cheon works alongside Roh Yoo-Seh. She can hear the dead, but only in fleeting, puzzling whispers. As they explore deeper into this world, collecting clues, speaking with dead of varying levels of danger, things begin to blur. With so many spirits and so many perspectives and ulterior motives, neither Gu-Cheon nor Roh Yoo-Seh can determine who the true enemy is.

A notable feature of the series is the truly beautiful cinematography and production. Very few Netflix series measure up, even close, to The East Palace. Perhaps as an attempt to pay homage to the ornate beauty of the historical dynasty, each scene is ever so delicately captured. Evidently, both director Jun-Kyu and cinematographer Park Jung-Hun spared no detail in the making of this series, and critics and fans alike have praised this quality in particular. In summary, not only can fans expect an incredibly gripping story and an expertly directed series, but also some truly gorgeous scenes.

Cast

• 

  Nam Joo-hyuk

  Gu-cheon

• Roh Yoon-seo

  Saeng-gang

• Cho Seung-woo

  King (Lee Yeon)

• Jang Young-nam

  Queen Dowager