Cormac McCarthy's "The Road" presents a haunting vision of the post-apocalypse, blending stark realism with intense bleakness. While its grim portrayal raises questions about hope, it effectively captures the harshness and desolation of a collapsed world.

"The Handmaid’s Tale" explores themes of oppression and resistance, but its relentless grimness raises questions. Does its stark portrayal of dystopia engage viewers, or does it risk alienating them with its unyielding darkness?