Netflix in the past few years has stolen the spotlight with their undeniable fantastically produced shows and films. These shows have been hyped, loved by the dozens and are treasured. Shows like Stranger Things, Sex Education and Orange is the New black have become national treasures. Movies that have drove social media into a frenzy of challenges, like Bird Box. All of these creations hold a valued place in society for a good reason, but seemingly, a few have slipped the net. I am going to give a rundown of a few of my favourite television shows and films that I believe never earned the hype they deserved. If you are in the mood for a binge during this dreary month on January this list is the one for you.
1. What happened to Monday (2017)
Whenever someone may ask me “there’s nothing to watch on Netflix. What do you recommend?” I always recommend this film. At first the plot may seem a little cliché, six sisters all named after each day of the week, lying dormant from the government in a dystopian and over-populated world, each only allowed to go out their allocated day of the week. I am not going to reveal any spoilers of any sort, but to begin with, you question how far can the plot really go? The answer is, extremely far. This show left me speechless, rendering all possibilities of what I thought may have happened and despite being an avid fan of dystopian based films from a young age, this film made me question what our potential world could be in the foreseen future. If you want a thrill seeking, film to decipher this will fit that mood perfectly. It truly is a film that has been overseen by Netflix consumers.
2. Orphan Black (2013-2017)
Next up on my list is an addictive yet informative tv show that goes by the name Orphan Black. If we are to be precise, this started as the Canadian BBC’S production, however, was bought by Netflix. It obviously was a popular show on BBC, however, after Netflix began to stream it, not too many people spoke about the show. First airing in 2013 and running for five seasons, coming to an end in 2017, the television show never received the credit that other shows have, for doing a-lot less. This science fiction show emphasises the futuristic world in a way that doesn’t seem far-fetched. There are five seasons which means this show provides you with extreme character development, the rise and fall of many characters and a numerous amount of bewildering narratives which are practically impossible to summarize. The clones, who are often being hunted for research purposes are played by the incredible Tatiana Manslay. Her portrayal in the series is outstanding and she needs to be credited for being able to play so many characters as one person. This is a talent that is looked over by many. This show is a diamond in a ruff and if you are in the mood for a binge-watching weekend, five seasons of this show will be your best-friend.
3. The Rain (2018-)
This is a fairly new TV show to Netflix but nonetheless, is one that has left a mark in my mind. The shows narrative is powerful and is set in a world where the rain is poisonous. The show follows the protagonist Simone on her quest with her little brother to survive the rain against all odds. Of course, they meet foes and friends along the way, and the ruthless nature of the show has you heartbroken in certain scenes. A show with a pretty simple premises and unrealistic nature, becomes relatable to you in a way that you couldn’t fathom. I binge watched this television show within one day, not being able to wait for the outcome of what could possibly happen next. The show is now on its second season and I am currently in the middle of watching it but is just as promising as the first season. This show has incredible depth and explores the incredible possibilities of science to a whole new level. If you are a SCI-FI lover, this show needs to go onto your wish-list.
4. Girl Boss (2017)
So far on the list, the films and tv shows provided have been mostly either have futuristic elements or have narratives based on post-societal constructs. Girl boss is a modern, comedic and relatable television show formed by Netflix, which sadly, only run for one season. Main character Sophia has harsh personality and rough exterior but you begin to love her for this reason as the season commences. The show gives us insight into the business-driven Sophia and her successful online business of selling second-hand clothes. The show was cancelled after its first season, which was a shame as it was clearly over-looked and was a light-hearted pick me up after a long day. Maybe the show didn’t contain enough depth that a typical watcher may like, but it was a show about a powerful woman, who made clever business decisions and turned her passion into a empire. She really is a boss.
5. Before I fall (2017)
I am going to conclude this list with a film. This film follows the story of a schoolgirl who simply keeps on repeating the same day over and over again due to being in a disastrous car accident. The narrative of living a day over and over again is pretty basic however, the film displays an important message which is, that we should be grateful for each day we are granted. Samantha, the main protagonist, has to relive her trauma daily, and when we think she is close to a solution to escape the loop she is wound up in, the scene repeats again. Although the film is by no means revolutionary like some on this list, it’s powerful messages and the importance of doing good in the world, has seemed to be left un-noticed by Netflix viewers. If you enjoy teen dramas then this film ticks all the boxes, but also provides you with some life lessons you could carry into your everyday life.
And that is my list of Netflix films that were so cleverly crafted but didn’t get the recognition they deserved. I tried to incorporate films and television series suitable for all on this list and to condense all my favourites into a top five was quite a task. If you enjoy this type of blog post please leave a comment below and if you would like another list similar to this in the future, please do say so.
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