Skip to content
MovieCove
Instinct

Instinct

You can't catch a killer without a little madness.

2018–2019Ended2 seasons24 episodes~60 min/epTV-14Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all shows

Dr. Dylan Reinhart, a gifted author, university professor and former CIA operative is lured back to his old life by tenacious top NYPD Detective Lizzie Needham. Though Dylan and Lizzie initially clash, when it comes to catching killers, they make an ideal team.

Your rating, lists and review

Where to watch

Where can I watch Instinct?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Instinct to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video, and on no subscription service.

Rent / Buy

BuyBuy

Highlights

What stands out about Instinct?

Instinct earns 2 badges, led by Preferred by US Viewers and Preferred by Women.

Reception

Is Instinct worth watching?

Instinct's Midcredits score is the 40th percentile of all shows, from 9.7K ratings across 2 sources. 68% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

40th percentile

Better received than 40% of shows

31st percentile among Crime38th percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)35th
Approval (how many liked it)46th

Acclaim

Mixed: Rating-distribution shape vs the catalog

How much people like it

67 /100

35th percentile of all shows

29th percentile among Crime34th percentile among 2010s

Rating distribution

Big peaks at both ends — people either love this or bounce off it hard.

Approval

How many liked it

68% liked it

46th percentile of all shows

34th percentile among Crime44th percentile among 2010s
68% rated it 7–1032% rated it 1–6

Reach

How many have seen it

89th percentile

9.5K ratings across platforms

82nd percentile among Crime89th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 11% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

Both fans and detractors agree the show is a lightweight, formulaic police procedural derivative of Castle and similar shows.

Fans praised

  • Alan Cumming's charismatic, charming performance
  • Refreshing non-romantic lead partnership and genuine gay relationship
  • Witty dialogue and light humorous tone

Detractors panned

  • Formulaic, derivative plotting with recycled cases from other shows
  • Poor writing with clichéd dialogue and predictable resolutions
  • Weak lead actress and lack of chemistry between leads

What stands out

ActingDivisive60

Alan Cumming praised as charismatic; lead actress criticized as wooden by detractors

HumorDivisive55

Light comic tone works for fans; too much camp undercuts serious crime drama

CharactersDivisive50

Dylan charming but shallow; Lizzie underdeveloped; gay relationship seen as authentic by fans, forced by detractors

DialogueDivisive50

Witty banter praised by fans; clichéd and cringeworthy according to detractors

PacingDivisive50

Slow starter then improves; some episodes drag with personal subplots

AtmosphereDivisive45

Tone inconsistent between cozy and serial-killer grim

Plot and storyDivisive35

Predictable, formulaic cases often lifted from other shows

OriginalityDivisive20

Derivative of Castle, Bones, and other procedurals

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Women

Women scored it 11 points higher than men.

US vs non-US

Preferred by US Viewers

US viewers scored it 12 points higher than non-US viewers.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Critics vs users 5 points apart

Episodes

2 seasons

Season 2 · 2019 · 11 episodes

  • S2E1

    Stay Gold

    Jun 30, 201940 min
  • S2E2

    Broken Record

    Jul 7, 201940 min
  • S2E3

    Finders Keepers

    Jul 14, 201940 min
  • S2E4

    Big Splash

    Jul 21, 201940 min
  • S2E5

    Ancient History

    Jul 28, 201940 min
  • S2E6

    One-of-a-Kind

    Aug 4, 201940 min

Watch experience

What is Instinct like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Earnest, serious and intense — an even-paced watch that leaves you cozy.

ToneFeelDemandexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

What it feels like

Moods
TenseContemplative
Heaviest: throughout
Register
Solemn: Grave and dignified; treats its subject with weight and respect.Warm
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.Case of the week plus an arcNew arc each season
ToneThe series treats its material seriously with genuine emotion, though episodes lean on procedural structure.
The rideThe series sustains a generally tense and thoughtful atmosphere from episode to episode, with intermittent spikes of action and suspense.
StructureEpisodes follow a conventional case-of-the-week format with a beginning, investigation, and resolution.
Episode formatEach episode presents a self-contained case while advancing a broader personal arc for the protagonist.
Season formatEach season follows a distinct serial-killer case while maintaining the same core cast and ongoing character development.

How it leaves you

what you carry away
Cozy · 5% of showsCathartic · 3% of shows
Why it leaves you this wayThe series provides a comforting sense of justice served with each solved case, offering a mild emotional release.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all shows
Monster — 18% of shows. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of shows. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 6% of shows. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 2% of shows. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 12% of shows. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 4% of shows. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 7% of shows. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 8% of shows. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 40% of showsPredator — 7% of shows. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 3% of shows. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of shows. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 3% of shows. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of shows. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of shows. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of shows. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of shows. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of shows. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of shows. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — 1% of shows. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of shows. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of shows. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of shows. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of shows. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 2% of shows. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 4% of shows. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of shows. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — under 1% of shows. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of shows. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 1% of shows. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — under 1% of shows. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of shows. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — under 1% of shows. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 2% of shows. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of shows. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of shows. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of shows. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 2% of shows. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of shows. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — under 1% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 1% of shows. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 1% of shows. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 1% of shows. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 1% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 3% of shows. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of shows. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 1% of shows. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of shows. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 6% of shows. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 1% of shows. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).MonsterPredator
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 18% (this title): Predator 7% (this title) · Tyrant 3% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 3% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 6%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 2% · Mission 4% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage under 1%
  • Voyage 2%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 1% · Survival ordeal under 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent under 1%
  • Comedy 12%: Romantic comedy 2% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 2%
  • Tragedy 4%: Hubris 1% · Obsession under 1% · Corruption arc 1% · Doomed love 1% · Crushed by fate 1%
  • Rebirth 7%: Redemption 1% · Healing 3% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 1%
  • Mystery 8%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 6% · Enigma 1%
  • No archetype 40%

Overcoming the monster: A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated. · Predator: A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).

18% of shows fit this archetype

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeEach episode follows the NYPD and a former CIA profiler hunting a serial killer, fitting the monster hunt pattern.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 31% of showsSelf — 27% of showsPower — 7% of showsMorality — 11% of showsSurvival — 9% of showsSociety — 10% of showsIdeas — 5% of showsRomantic love — 10% of showsMarriage — 2% of showsFamily bonds — 22% of showsParenthood — 1% of showsFriendship — 18% of showsLoyalty — 7% of showsIdentity — 20% of showsComing of age — 9% of showsAging — under 1% of showsSelf-worth — 7% of showsAmbition — 14% of showsPurpose — 16% of showsMemory — 3% of showsObsession — 2% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 5% of showsCorruption — 3% of showsGreed — 2% of showsClass — 4% of showsOppression — 2% of showsFreedom — 4% of showsJustice — 14% of showsDuty — 2% of showsRevenge — 1% of showsGuilt — 1% of showsRedemption — 3% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — under 1% of showsSacrifice — 2% of showsBetrayal — 3% of showsDeception — 6% of showsSurvival — 12% of showsWar — 1% of showsViolence — 2% of showsMortality — 2% of showsGrief — 4% of showsTrauma — 5% of showsMental illness — under 1% of showsAddiction — under 1% of showsIllness and disability — under 1% of showsCommunity — 25% of shows. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 3% of showsPrejudice — 2% of showsDisplacement — 1% of showsFaith — 1% of showsTradition vs change — 3% of showsFame — 5% of showsLegacy — 3% of showsFate — 1% of showsFree will — under 1% of showsTruth — 6% of showsHope — 4% of showsNature — 3% of showsArt — 2% of showsTechnology — 1% of showsSelfIdentitySelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 31%: Romantic love 10% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 22% · Parenthood 1% · Friendship 18% · Loyalty 7% (this title)
  • Self 27% (this title): Identity 20% (this title) · Coming of age 9% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 14% · Purpose 16% · Memory 3% · Obsession 2%
  • Power 7%: Power 5% · Corruption 3% · Greed 2% · Class 4% · Oppression 2% · Freedom 4%
  • Morality 11%: Justice 14% (this title) · Duty 2% · Revenge 1% · Guilt 1% · Redemption 3% · Forgiveness under 1% · Sacrifice 2% · Betrayal 3% · Deception 6%
  • Survival 9%: Survival 12% · War 1% · Violence 2% · Mortality 2% · Grief 4% · Trauma 5% · Mental illness under 1% · Addiction under 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 10%: Community 25% · Isolation 3% · Prejudice 2% · Displacement 1% · Faith 1% · Tradition vs change 3% · Fame 5% · Legacy 3%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 6% · Hope 4% · Nature 3% · Art 2% · Technology 1%

Self

IdentityLoyalty · 7% of showsJustice · 14% of shows
Interrogates its theme: Questions its theme without settling the answer.Community stakes: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Dual lead
How it treats its themeThe protagonist is torn between his constructed normal life and his past as a CIA operative, exploring how his former identity intrudes on his present.
StanceThe show examines the cost of a past life and the ethics of using one's intellect for violence, rather than celebrating the heroics.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanInstitutionalDomesticRealistic
Orchestral modernElectronicSupportive music · original score
SettingModern-day New York City, with scenes in police precincts and university lecture halls.

Content guide

Is Instinct okay for kids?

TV-14

Instinct is rated TV-14. As of August 29, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at intense (67/100), sexual content at moderate (36/100), language at mild (26/100), drug and alcohol content at moderate (57/100) and frightening material at moderate (44/100). Its violence, language, drug and alcohol content and frightening material have too few votes to rank.

Ratings in 9 other countries
  • UK15
  • Canada14+
  • Germany16
  • France16
  • Ireland15
  • LTN-14
  • MexicoC
  • Poland16
  • Spain16
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
Intense
too few votes to rank (5 votes)
Sex & Nudity
Moderate
typical for a TV-14 show
heavier than 46%
Profanity
Mild · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
too few votes to rank (9 votes)
Alcohol & Drugs
Moderate
too few votes to rank (7 votes)
Frightening / Intense
Moderate
too few votes to rank (6 votes)

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Too few votes to rank this title overall (38 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other shows that have them.

What content warnings does Instinct have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Instinct?

Cast

Alan Cumming
as Dr. Dylan Reinhart
Career best: Their highest-reaching show role by billing, audience size and rating.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Bojana Novakovic
as Det. Lizzie Needham
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Daniel Ings
as Andy
Michael B. Silver
as Sgt. Kanter Harris
Danny Mastrogiorgio
as Det. Anthony Fucci
Sharon Leal
as Lt. Jasmine Gooden
Naveen Andrews
as Julian Cousins
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Stephen Rider
as Zack Clark
John Mainieri
as Det. Jimmy Marino
Travis Van Winkle
as Det. Ryan Stock

More like this

What are shows like Instinct?

TMDB's suggestions for shows like Instinct include Dexter (2006), The Alienist (2018) and The Sinner (2017).

Like this, but

Explore by

What other shows share a tag with Instinct?

357 other shows share the rarest tag below, follows: scientist. Each tag opens Browse with the shows that share it.