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Panic

Panic

Let the game begin.

2021Ended1 season10 episodes~45 min/epTV-14Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all shows

In the forgotten town of Carp, Texas, Panic is the only way out. Every summer the graduating seniors risk their lives competing in a series of challenges for the chance to win life-changing money. After the death of two players the stakes—and danger—have never been higher.

Your rating, lists and review

Where to watch

Where can I watch Panic?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Panic streaming on Prime Video.

Subscription

Free

Highlights

What stands out about Panic?

Panic earns 2 badges, led by Fun and Preferred by Women.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood

Reception

Is Panic worth watching?

Panic's Midcredits score is the 42nd percentile of all shows, from 12K ratings across 2 sources. 67% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

42nd percentile

Better received than 42% of shows

39th percentile among Adventure46th percentile among 2020s
Acclaim (how much people like it)41st
Approval (how many liked it)44th

Acclaim

Mixed: Rating-distribution shape vs the catalog

How much people like it

69 /100

41st percentile of all shows

40th percentile among Adventure46th percentile among 2020s

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 7.1 — solid but not unanimous.

Approval

How many liked it

67% liked it

44th percentile of all shows

40th percentile among Adventure49th percentile among 2020s
67% rated it 7–1033% rated it 1–6

Reach

How many have seen it

82nd percentile

12K ratings across platforms

73rd percentile among Adventure84th percentile among 2020s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 26% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

Both camps agree the show is a fun, undemanding binge-watch that sacrifices realism for entertainment.

Fans praised

  • binge-worthy addictive storytelling
  • compelling central romance between Heather and Ray
  • engaging mystery with twists that keep you guessing

Detractors panned

  • actors visibly too old for high school roles
  • illogical plot holes and contrived police incompetence
  • tedious focus on teen romance over the game premise

What stands out

ActingDivisive60

uneven; Ray Nicholson praised as standout, some performances criticized as wooden

CharactersDivisive55

likable enough for fans but dismissed as clichés by detractors

PacingDivisive55

binge-friendly for fans; detractors find slow stretches and filler

TensionDivisive50

fans find challenges edge-of-seat; detractors say tension dissipates

EndingDivisive50

cliffhanger leaves fans wanting more; detractors find anticlimactic

Plot and storyDivisive40

engaging mystery undermined by implausible logic and predictable twists

DialogueDivisive35

cringey teen speak; detractors call it hackneyed

Originality30

derivative of Nerve/Hunger Games; fans say execution improves on sources

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Women

Women scored it 19 points higher than men.

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

  • Under-30s vs over-30s 9 points apart
  • US vs non-US 8 points apart

Episodes

1 season

Season 1 · 2021 · 10 episodes

  • S1E1

    Panic

    May 27, 202145 min
  • S1E2

    Heights

    May 27, 202144 min
  • S1E3

    Traps

    May 27, 202144 min
  • S1E4

    Escape

    May 27, 202149 min
  • S1E5

    Phantoms

    May 27, 202143 min
  • S1E6

    Dead End

    May 27, 202143 min

Watch experience

What is Panic like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Earnest, light and intense — an even-paced watch that leaves you entertained.

ToneFeelDemandexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

What it feels like

Moods
TenseThrillingMelancholic
Heaviest: late
Register
Adventurous · 15% of showsPlayfulMelodramatic · 9% of shows: Heightened emotion, played large.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.SerializedSingle-season story
ToneThe show plays its high-stakes premise with earnest teen-drama sincerity, balancing tension with playful, adventurous energy.
The rideSustains high tension through the challenges, with an underlying sadness about the characters' trapped situations; the emotional stakes peak in the final episodes.
StructureThe story unfolds in a linear, serialized manner across the ten episodes, following a conventional beginning-middle-end arc.
Episode formatA continuous story across 10 episodes following the progress of the annual Panic game.
Season formatOne season telling one complete story of the game, and the series concluded after that season.

How it leaves you

what you carry away
FunRousing · 9% of shows
Why it leaves you this wayThe series leaves you entertained and energized by the adrenaline and likable characters, eager to see what happens next.
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).Mystery
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 18%: Predator 7% · 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% (this title): Puzzle 1% · Investigation 6% (this title) · Enigma 1%
  • No archetype 40%

Mystery: A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered. · Investigation: A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).

8% of shows fit this archetype

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

Why this archetypeThe series centers on a dangerous annual game whose origins are unknown, and the protagonist works to uncover who created it and why, while also exposing the corruption behind it.

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 showsSelfComingof age
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 31%: Romantic love 10% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 22% · Parenthood 1% · Friendship 18% · Loyalty 7%
  • Self 27% (this title): Identity 20% · Coming of age 9% (this title) · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 14% · Purpose 16% · Memory 3% · Obsession 2%
  • Power 7%: Power 5% · Corruption 3% · Greed 2% · Class 4% (this title) · Oppression 2% · Freedom 4%
  • Morality 11%: Justice 14% · Duty 2% · Revenge 1% · Guilt 1% · Redemption 3% · Forgiveness under 1% · Sacrifice 2% · Betrayal 3% · Deception 6%
  • Survival 9%: Survival 12% (this title) · 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

Coming of age · 9% of showsSurvival · 12% of showsClass · 4% of shows
Interrogates its theme: Questions its theme without settling the answer.Community stakes: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Ensemble lead
How it treats its themeThe deadly contest serves as a brutal rite of passage for graduation, pitting the desire to escape a dead-end rural life against the instinct to stay alive.
StanceThe series questions whether a violent, life-threatening contest is a valid escape from poverty, without fully endorsing or condemning it.

The world

ContemporaryRuralWildernessRealistic
Orchestral modernElectronicSupportive music · original score
Settingthe forgotten rural town of Carp, Texas, around the annual high-stakes game for graduating seniors

Content guide

Is Panic okay for kids?

TV-14

Panic is rated TV-14. As of August 29, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at moderate (38/100), sexual content at moderate (37/100), language at moderate (58/100), drug and alcohol content at moderate (57/100) and frightening material at moderate (38/100). Its frightening material has too few votes to rank. Overall it is heavier than 52% of TV-14 shows.

Ratings in 11 other countries
  • Canada18+
  • Germany16
  • Belgium16
  • Denmark15
  • FinlandK16
  • MexicoC
  • Netherlands16
  • Norway18
  • Portugal16
  • ROAP
  • SwedenFrån 15 år
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
Heavier than 41% of all showsHeavier than 52% of TV-14 shows
Violence & Gore
Moderate
typical for a TV-14 show
heavier than 31%
Sex & Nudity
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for a TV-14 show
heavier than 48%
Profanity
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
heavy for a TV-14 show
heavier than 82%
Alcohol & Drugs
Moderate
heavy for a TV-14 show
heavier than 83%
Frightening / Intense
Moderate
too few votes to rank (7 votes)

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

Nothing here is extreme. The strongest element is language, heavier than 82% of TV-14 shows.

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 Panic have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Panic?

Cast

2 of the 10 billed cast had never appeared on screen.

Olivia Scott Welch
as Heather Nill
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Mike Faist
as Dodge Mason
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Jessica Sula
as Natalie Williams
Ray Nicholson
as Ray Hall
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Camron Jones
as Bishop Moore
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Enrique Murciano
as Sheriff James 'Jimmy' Cortez
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Todd Williams
as Capt. John Williams
Lee Eddy
as Sgt. Christine Langley
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
David Thompson
as Daniel Diggins
Career best: Their highest-reaching show role by billing, audience size and rating.
Leslie Ann Leal
as Summer Calvo
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.

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What other shows share a tag with Panic?

32 other shows share the rarest tag below, premise: death game. Each tag opens Browse with the shows that share it.