21 Shows To Watch While You’re Recovering From A Food Coma

Rami Malek as Elliot

Alderson (Image via USA Network)

9. Mr. Robot

Mr. Robot follows the path of Elliot Alderson, a cybersecurity worker who becomes wrapped up in an underworld of hackers and activists. However, Elliot also suffers from anxiety disorder, depression, and dissociative identity disorder. His growing paranoia does little to help his increasingly tense situation.

According to creator Sam Esmail, he’s been working to develop a show about hacker culture for nearly fifteen years. Esmail, who is also of Egyptian descent, has said that he was inspired by the events of the Arab Spring, in which young Middle Eastern activists used social media and digital technology to advance their goals.

It’s worth noting that Mr. Robot’s depiction of hacking techniques is actually fairly accurate. Costin Raiu the general director of the Global Research and Analysis Team at Kaspersky Labs, has praised the show’s depiction of hacking. In a Reddit AMA, he noted that “most of the scenes are top class and the usage of tools, operating systems and other tiny details, from social engineering to opsec is very good.”

Others agree that the show (or at least the spectacular first season) are formidably good. Rami Malek, who plays Elliot, was nominated for and won multiple awards for his performance, including an Emmy. Others, including actor Christian Slater and the show’s writers, received multiple accolades of their own.

Where to watch: Hulu