Joseph Viles / Lifetime

For fans of The Bachelor (or The Bachelorette, or any number of similar reality dating competition series in which one person chooses from a bevy of eager suitors), Unreal is a fascinating (albeit fictionalized) peek behind the curtain. Though being intimately acquainted with The Bachelor surely gives viewers a unique perspective, it's not necessary in order to find Unreal captivating. Simply understanding the basic conventions of reality television is enough to enjoy the show — and to feel challenged by the complicated questions it raises.

That's an important distinction to make, especially given how steeped Unreal seems to be in the world of The Bachelor. (Or Everlasting, as the show-within-the-show is known.) But Unreal is more about the characters than it is the situation: There's plenty to latch onto even if you don't particularly appreciate the specifics. And the emotional blackmail and backstage manipulation of these characters is engaging regardless of the context. You don't have to have watched the show upon which Unreal is based to appreciate what these women are being put through.