With Netflix original movies, you never fall short of diverse reviews. Some are heralded as cinematic masterpieces, a few are ostracised, and the lucky few escape unnoticed from the scrutiny of critics.
But (yes, we’re quoting Jane Austen for this), a universally acknowledged truth is that the platform does possess a good chunk of underrated gems. If you’re hunting for a couple to add to your list, you’re at the right place!
15. Beasts Of No Nation (2015)
Morality and brutality counter innocence in this thriller starring Idris Alba and Abraham Attah. The film is an adaptation of Uzodinma Iweala and follows Abu, who is adopted into a rebel group after escaping a war. You see the complex intricacies of Abu’s collapse into addiction, violence, and crime as he performs acts for the group while losing himself at a young age.
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14. Private Life (2018)
This 2018 movie was noted for its representation of infertility and adoption. ‘Private Life’ deals with a middle-aged couple who attempt to have a child while struggling with their physical conditions, fertility issues, and other complications. The film offers several moments of relatability as it depicts the psychological toll of loneliness and intimacy. ‘Private Life‘ is one of those movies that makes you question the societal burden of family conditions.
13. Tramps (2016)
A truly underrated romcom film where love finds its way in a light-hearted heist plan gone wrong. It starts as a simple transaction between Danny and Ellie, but it becomes complicated when the intended suitcase is swapped for the wrong one. The hilarious events that follow have the two falling in love and going on the run from the police.
12. Apollo 10 1⁄2: A Space Age Childhood (2022)
Richard Linkletter does a creative wonder by combining space curiosity with growing up through the perspective of a 10-year-old Stan. Stanley is tasked with going to space in the 1960s due to an unexpected inconvenience. The film does a good job at transporting you back to those nostalgic school days when galaxy worlds in ‘Zathura: A Space Adventure’ and ‘Star Trek’ felt possible!
11. Dolemite Is My Name (2019)
Narrated in warm tones and impeccable style, ‘Dolemite is My Name‘ centers on a comedian and his quest to make it big in Hollywood. Despite being a dramedy, the film manages to stay light while dealing with themes of rejection and determination. You also get some entertaining, award-winning moments from the comedy icon Eddie Murphy.
10. I Don’t Feel at Home In This World Anymore (2017)
We’ve seen Melanie Lynskey in some unconventional roles in these past decades, but this one might be the most unhinged of them all. The movie follows two neighbors who band up against a deadly criminal troop to retrieve their belongings. Packed with dark humor and sudden confrontations, the duo might be lacking in enough arms. But they make up for it with some shocking decisions, including Ruth obsessively tracking down the criminals using her GPS!
9. Our Souls At Night (2017)
This sweet romance takes you on a whirlwind of emotions with two old people who find love when they least expect it. Louis and Andy find what they’ve been missing in each other towards the end of their lives, only to be pulled apart by their family issues and personal obligations. It’s sweet, innocent, and mature, making you root for the couple throughout!
8. Pieces Of A Woman (2020)
A gripping drama on the loss, trauma, and emotional distress experienced by a mother post a home birth, ‘Pieces of A Woman’ has its fair share of deep and reflective moments to get you emotional. By navigating Martha’s attempt at seeking closure from her child’s death, the film becomes quite relatable in addressing grief.
7. Triple Frontier (2019)
This thriller puts ex-servicemen against each other in a heist where the stakes are morality, greed, and a distorted sense of personal justice. For Pope and his newly recruited crew, the plan to steal from a drug lord in the Amazon looks good in theory. Except things don’t go as planned, and they invite trouble every step of the way. What else can you expect when you decide to steal too much and escape with chunks of dollars that don’t exactly fit in the helicopter you had?
6. His House (2020)
The 2020 film ‘His House’ flips the narratives of refugee stories by blending horror with the lived experience of family isolation. The film follows a family that relocates to an English town for a fresh start, only to be haunted by evil forces. It truly flew under the radar when it was released, but with chilling survival shots and psychological deterioration, the film cracks the horror metrics right!
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5. Win It All (2017)
Netflix’s ‘Win it All’ is about a tragic hero who attempts to turn his luck around when he is given the chance to safeguard a duffel bag. Except his curiosity gets the better of him, and he decides to take a peek. Sounds harmless, right? That’s until you see money inside and are now contemplating using the money to curb your gambling addiction! Feeling persuaded by the possibilities with the cash inside, Eddie, the protagonist, takes a detour.
4. Divines (2016)
Two teenage friends decide to make it big in the drug business, working for a notorious dealer, except that a newfound romance with a male dancer complicates things for Dounia, the mastermind. ‘Divines‘ has a simple plot for a crime drama and really makes you think about the consequences of one’s actions, which aren’t apparent until it all comes crashing down. For Dounia, it’s when she loses her friend.
3. Nonnas (2025)
This feel-good film follows a man who opens a restaurant with a group of retired ladies to honor his mother. The idea of Vince Vaughn’s character is perfect on paper, but will it survive the execution? The film holds the answer to that! So does the real-life restaurant Enoteca Maria, on which the film is based!
2. In the Shadow of the Moon (2019)
The sci-fi thriller ‘In the Shadow of the Moon’ is a really good example of crime stories that makes you question who is actually in the wrong. With unnerving plot twists you wouldn’t expect, the film follows a detective who attempts to solve a series of crimes, not knowing that the serial killer is deeply connected to him. At one point, you no longer know who is on the right side!
1. The Dig (2021)
This mystery drama unfolds amid serene landscapes and an archaeological wonder. Starring Ralph Fiennes and Carey Mulligan, the film follows Edith and archaeologist Basil as they discover an Anglo-Saxon ship that reveals an unexplored detail of the land’s history. The film is shot with a documentary aesthetic, immersing you in the anticipation. The star-studded cast is just the bonus!
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