Seen as the father of streaming media, it is hard to dispute that Netflix is the one stop shop for all manner of films, ranging from sentimental romance to hard-hitting documentaries and everything in-between. However, since 2012 the media giant has shifted its focus to producing its own content for streaming. With television these efforts have produced critically acclaimed shows such as Orange is the New Black, House of Cards, and Stranger Things.
On the other hand, similar endeavours within the film market have encountered lukewarm reception. Arguably many solely stream major cinematic releases, bypassing Netflix’s own productions. Yet there are some Netflix Originals that provide movie magic and compare favourably to their big-budget Hollywood contemporaries, and I have highlighted seven such movies that showcase the studio’s potential. Beware, spoilers ahead.
1. Hush
Horror films built upon the premise of silence equating to survival are nothing new, with Don’t Breathe and A Quiet Place both wringing great tension from it. However, Hush depicts an interesting perspective on the importance of sound as a technique with which to terrorise the audience: what if you were deaf and being stalked by a serial killer?
Setting itself up as a standard home invasion flick, Hush ramps up the tension and delivers so much more, unnerving viewers throughout. Standout moments that employ sound or lack thereof include a video chat session with a surprise background viewer, and the use of a mobile phone to send unwelcome photos. As the film progresses you find yourself cheering on the protagonist to outwit her attacker, leading to a satisfying conclusion.
Ultimately, Hush elevates itself above familiar horror tropes by knowing the power of silence in creating scares.
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2. Creep
Okay, so I know this is another horror picture, but I perversely enjoy scaring myself.
Creep is a cautionary tale of the nightmare scenarios that can emerge from online social network sites. Here a videographer named Aaron answers a Craigslist job advert from a man called Josef. From their first meeting Josef’s unpredictable behaviour builds from being harmlessly eccentric to disturbingly terrifying, with the film superbly escalating this feeling of unease.
One particularly unnerving aspect is the story behind the creepy wolf mask Josef calls “Peachfuzz”. Initially Josef explains it away as a harmless childhood toy, yet things become more sinister as he wears it to frighten Aaron, preventing him from leaving and providing some excellent frights. Furthermore, Josef’s stalking and hidden filming of Aaron in the film’s latter half only adds to the tension, leading to a shocking conclusion.
Somehow I do not think I will look at wolf Halloween costumes the same way again.
3. The Babysitter
Alongside Stranger Things, The Babysitter also invokes nostalgia by playing with established 80s teen-slasher-horror tropes, with these efforts producing a comedic horror romp that is almost a love letter to the genre.
Starting as a standard evening of babysitting, it soon turns out Bee, the attractive babysitter that the young protagonist Cole fancies, is leader of a satanic cult that feeds off the blood of sacrificed innocents for eternal youth. As the cultists close in on Cole and attempt to dispose of him, he resorts to inventive ways to dispatch them. The scene where Cole blows up the cultist Sonya while the others look on in shock is my favourite takedown. The resulting fountains of blood and mounds of body parts bear comparison to Hammer House of Horror.
At the same time each of the cultists is sufficiently likeable, despite their murderous tendencies, and their characterisation is akin to the teenagers from The Breakfast Club. For example, even though Max is a murderer and high school jock, he still compliments Cole’s wit and resourcefulness. Additionally, Bee is the high school “It” girl and exhibits both a fun personality and dogged determination to maintain her good looks. Consequently, you enjoy their time on screen enough to hope they might last a little longer before they are brutally butchered.
Simply put, this is Home Alone meets Scream.
4. Icarus
Do not let it be said that Netflix cannot produce thought-provoking documentaries alongside its standard cinema fare. Of these, Icarus is one of the starkest exposure pieces. The topic – doping in sports – may not seem glamorous, but the film expertly ratchets up the tension as the scale and severity of it becomes apparent.
When a filmmaker investigates the illegal use of performance-enhancing drugs in sport, a Russian scientist, reveals that doping within Russia’s athletes is more prevalent than previously alleged. With the volume of evidence mounting, and serious accusations made involving the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, things turn sinister with death threats, extradition, and assassination. Indeed, this picture has all the thrill and action of most Hollywood-funded documentaries.
If you are looking for a stimulating introduction to the topical controversy of doping in sport, then Icarus is a great place to start.
5. Deidra & Laney Rob a Train
If you want an easy watch on a Friday night, something that does not require concentration and provides a chuckle, then Deidra & Laney Rob a Train is for you.
With their mother imprisoned, the eponymous characters must beg, borrow and – definitely – steal to keep a roof over their heads. Of course the most logical heist is to case a freight train. This film’s plot is just the right side of nonsensical with an upbeat tone throughout, despite the severity of the situation. With the call for greater diversity in casting gaining ground, Deidra & Laney is an excellent example of how a fresh, diverse cast can bring great fun to a movie. The jokes come thick and fast, the narrative moves at a steady pace, and there is just enough character work to keep it from becoming shallow.
This film may not have won awards, but do not let that stop you from giving this entertaining crime caper comedy a chance. You may be pleasantly surprised.
6. Spectral
Over the last few years, there have been many variations on the war film, with many presenting a sci-fi slant. Yet even these have become relatively crowded, especially the ones featuring antagonistic alien armies. However, Spectral offers a novel premise. Here, the enemy’s origins are only drip-fed to the audience as the film progresses. Yet from their first on-screen appearance my curiosity was piqued: were they ghosts of fallen soldiers, a Martian invasion force, or a newfangled super weapon? Spoiler alert: it’s the latter.
For a Netflix Original film’s budget, the special effects are surprisingly detailed and hold up next to some Hollywood blockbusters. The characters, while stereotypes do an adequate job of advancing the film and providing a spirited fighting force against the ethereal enemy. Although the narrative beats and set pieces do resemble other modern war pictures, in this case I feel it is not a bad thing as it demonstrates Netflix can hold its own alongside the big movie studios. They do say imitation is the greatest form of flattery after all.
Just do not overthink the film’s approach to Bose-Einstein condensate – the science behind Spectral’s antagonists – as it really does not hold up to closer scrutiny.
7. Weekend
With the release of beautiful films such as Call Me By Your Name, God’s Own Country and Love, Simon, LGBTQ+ cinema seems to be entering a golden age. To this, Netflix has added its own picture Weekend.
This love story encapsulates the dating difficulties faced by many within the LGBTQ+ community today, dealing with the complicated issue of courtship while one or both partners are still in the closet. The two main characters Russell and Glen meet at a gay club and head back to Russell’s apartment whereupon they have sex. This one-night stand soon blossoms into something more meaningful for both, particularly for Russell who is still largely in the closet. However, like all great romances their relationship is cut short by Glen’s leaving for Oregon, but they part on good terms, resulting in a bittersweet ending.
Now while the film’s ending is nothing new in terms of LGBTQ+ cinema – Brokeback Mountain ended with Ennis heartbroken over Jack’s death – the stripped back feel, newcomer cast and simplistic nature of the film would strike a chord with anyone who has been in a similar situation, gay or straight. The film’s realistic portrayal of the earnest beginnings of a relationship is its greatest strength.
Similar to the critically acclaimed Call Me By Your Name but without the Hollywood sheen, it definitely made me tear up just as much.
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