Early in 2023, it was confirmed that the psychological thriller Mindhunter would not return for a third season. Directed by David Fincher, known for films like Fight Club and Seven, the Netflix TV series depicts the founding of the FBI Behavioral Science unit. Following the efforts of FBI Agents to study serial killers, the series explores the psychological impact of wading into the darkest parts of the human psyche. The mix of experimental visuals with stories about scientific exploration created a groundbreaking and unique approach to depicting true crime stories that helped the series stand out in a glut of true crime content.

Mindhunter's stories and characters deeply resonated with fans of intense crime thrillers and received critical acclaim, but Netflix ultimately canceled the show. The shocking cancelation of the acclaimed series was initially attributed to David Fincher's need to focus on other projects for Netflix, like his Oscar-winning film Mank.