Summary
It might seem like Netflix releases a new program that is worth viewing virtually every week; yet, very few people have the time to keep up with all of the stuff that is available on the platform. Thankfully, the federal government provides us with the opportunity to take advantage of the odd long weekend, which also provides the ideal justification for catching up on any series that you may have subscribed to Netflix but missed when they were initially released.
However, if you are having trouble remembering which series are worth viewing, you can rest certain that we have things covered for you. We have chosen five excellent episodes that are recommended to be seen on the streaming service. These series vary from humorous to more serious and caustic in nature. It is my aim that this list has something that is worth investigating, regardless of the things that you are interested in.
Heartstopper (2022)
The narrative of two adolescent guys who find that their relationship may potentially be something more is told in the program Heartstopper, which is considered to be one of the most endearing shows that Netflix has ever created. In addition to being delightful and quirky, the series is exactly the type of romantic comedy that we don’t see enough of these days.
However, despite the fact that it has a number of humorous moments, this is also a program that takes the emotional journeys of its two main characters extremely seriously. Heartstopper is a program that is difficult to dislike, regardless of who you are, and it is an excellent way to pass a few hours over the extended weekend when you have nothing to do.
Baby Reindeer (2024)
Baby Reindeer is one of the most unsettling programs that has ever been released on Netflix. It is based on a real tale that was told by its writer and performer, Richard Gadd, and it tells the narrative of a stand-up comedian who finds himself dealing with a stalker.
However, the show’s greatness is in the manner in which he provides encouragement to his stalker, and then finds himself overcome by his own traumatic experiences as she continues to ingratiate herself more and deeper into his life. Baby Reindeer is a film that may be somewhat disturbing to see, but it is really rewarding if you are looking for something that is both scary and thought-provoking to help you get through the weekend.
Russian Doll (2019)
Despite the fact that there are a lot of shows on television, there is no program that can compare to Russian Doll. The series, which tells the tale of a New York programmer who finds herself caught in the day she dies over and over again, is strengthened by the dynamic and fantastic primary performance that Natasha Lyonne, who starred in Fantastic Four, gives.
In order to avoid spoilers, it is essential to avoid spoiling the twists and turns of the program, as well as the more uneven second season. However, Russian Doll could be the best place to begin if you are seeking something that is not just out of the ordinary but also hilarious and captivating.
Blue Eye Samurai (2023)
In the realm of popular culture, feudal Japan is now experiencing a moment, and Blue Eye Samurai is one of the greatest instances of this phenomenon. The program depicts the narrative of a female samurai who lives during that time period and is on a mission to get vengeance on the white men who may or may not be her father and who are hiding out in Japan.
Blue Eye Samurai is all the evidence you need to demonstrate that, despite the prejudices surrounding the genre, animation can very much be for adults, and in this particular instance, it is actually just for adults. It has gorgeous animation, a superb voice cast, and a gripping plot.
You (2018)
A clever and twisted play that explores the ways in which sexism is able to adapt and develop throughout time, It depicts the narrative of Joe Goldberg, a guy who has psychopathic inclinations and homicidal impulses, and who believes himself that his acts protect the women around him.
The first season of You was available on Netflix, and it quickly became so successful that the streaming service decided to acquire the program. Since then, it has been renewed for a total of four seasons. Penn Badgley, who plays the main character, is matched by a revolving ensemble of co-stars who are equally as talented as he is. The events of each season are crazy in the most positive manner conceivable. Joe has a high probability of coming across a person whom he considers to be worthy of being murdered, regardless of where he happens to be.
Da 5 Bloods (2020)
The epidemic may have been the reason why Spike Lee’s Da 5 Bloods made its premiere on Netflix, but the film most surely deserved to be released to a wider audience. Twenty years after the conclusion of the Vietnam War, four African American soldiers named Paul, Otis, Eddie, and Melvin set out on a trip that would leave them with a profound sense of purpose. They have two objectives in mind for this mission: the first is to bring back Stormin’ Norman, their slain commander, and the second is to discover a treasure that has been buried away from them in the past.
As they make their way through the perilous jungles of Vietnam, their brotherhood is put to the test by the burdens and secrets that they have been keeping concealed. Because it tells a fascinating narrative of brotherhood and the wounds that war leaves behind, the film is an excellent choice for a Memorial Day viewing.
Access Da 5 Bloods on Netflix to watch it.
Hacksaw Ridge (2016)
Mel Gibson, who is also an actor, is the director of the military drama Hacksaw Ridge, which is based on the tale of Desmond Doss, a conscientious objector who served during World military II and was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery. From his modest origins to the terrible battlegrounds of Okinawa, the video emphasizes his unshakable resolve to serve as a medic, even while he was not armed with a weapon.
In spite of the mayhem and destruction that is taking on at the actual location of Hacksaw Ridge, Desmond’s fortitude is on full display. Sequences that are both gripping and suspenseful demonstrate his frequent forays into the battlefield, during which he saved seventy-five injured troops while they were under intense fire. The film serves as a reminder to viewers that the most powerful weapons are not necessarily physical; occasionally, an unyielding conviction and a strong moral compass may accomplish the most astounding deeds.
You can see Hacksaw Ridge here on Netflix.
War Dogs (2016)
The real-life weapons traffickers who attracted the attention of the world in 2007 are the inspiration for the characters that Miles Teller (Top Gun: Maverick) and Jonah Hill (Superbad) portray in the film War Dogs. War Dogs is a film directed by Todd Phillips that follows two individuals as they take advantage of a government program that allows small firms to engage in the procurement of military contracts in the United States. The fact that they are attempting to earn money off of a trade involving weaponry, however, places them in a realm that is both hazardous and ethically problematic.
Even under the most pressing of circumstances, War Dogs does not shy away from using comedy. This is made abundantly clear in a sequence in which the two main characters strive to do something that seems impossible: they try to smuggle Beretta handguns past the notorious “Triangle of Death” in Jordan. The film highlights the moral ambiguity and complexity of the military business, and it serves as a reminder to viewers that the effects of conflict extend beyond the battlefield.
Find War Dogs on Netflix to watch.
Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
A guy called Ron Kovic is the protagonist of the riveting war film Born on the Fourth of July, which tells the story of the disastrous effects that the Vietnam War had on him. A young soldier named Ron, who is portrayed by Tom Cruise, is first motivated to enroll in the military due to his patriotism. On the other hand, the movie takes a dramatic turn as we see the terrifying realities of war, which culminate with Kovic suffering a life-altering injury that renders him physically incapable of moving. His transformation from an optimistic soldier into a passionate anti-war activist is fueled by the experience he has encountered.
One of the most eye-catching scenes in the movie is when Kovic delivers an impassioned statement during the Democratic National Convention in 1976. This sequence, along with the general honesty of the film, garnered plaudits from veterans of the Vietnam War who saw their own experiences mirrored on the screen. As a result of the film’s ability to increase public consciousness about the difficulties that veterans experience, its effect extended beyond the critical success and award shows that it received.
Born on the Fourth of July is available to watch on Netflix.
All Quiet on the Western Front (2022)
In the novel All Quiet on the Western Front, young men who are eager to serve their nation are shattered by the horrors of war, which causes them to lose their idealism. Taking a look at the cruelty of World War I through the eyes of a German soldier called Paul Baumer, the 2022 Netflix original movie version of Erich Maria Remarque’s book presents a strong anti-war message. The novel was written by Erich Maria Remarque. Paul is forced to face the actual cost of war as a result of his voyage, which takes him from a place of patriotic exuberance to the horrific reality of trench combat.
Due to the film’s honest depiction of war, which serves as a sad reminder of the sacrifices made by troops, it is an appropriate film to watch on Memorial Day thanks to its presentation. A sequence in which Paul is stuck with a dying enemy soldier emphasizes the central theme of the movie, which is that the common humanity and savagery that everyone feels during times of conflict extend beyond the confines of the battlefield.
On Netflix, you may watch the film “All Quiet on the Western Front.”
Incendies (2010)
Prior to directing the critically acclaimed science fiction films Arrival and Dune, Denis Villeneuve was responsible for the production of the underappreciated military drama Incendies. It is based on the arduous trip of twins Jeanne (Mélissa Désormeaux-Poulin) and Simon (Maxim Gaudette), who go to their mother’s country after their mother passes away in order to fulfill her last wishes. There is also the hope that they may be able to comprehend her enigmatic letters and get further information on their family, but they quickly discover a shocking reality regarding their past.
Incendies examines how conflict and even war crimes are inexorably interwoven with the twins’ unknown history. The story is set against the backdrop of a civil war in a Middle Eastern nation that has not been identified. Incendies is infused with tension and passion because of Villeneuve’s direction, which is a significant factor in the film’s success. Villeneuve’s trademarks, which are now well-known, are a significant factor. In addition, the movie makes good use of flashbacks to connect the past and present of the characters. This helps to emphasize the inevitability of their journey as well as all of their mother’s acts and experiences that have led up to it.
On Mubi, Incendies is available to stream.
The Zone of Interest (2023)
Martin Amis’s book, which was published in 2014 and detailed a scenario that was largely real, served as the inspiration for the military film The Zone of Interest, which won an Academy Award. The story of the film takes place in 1943 and focuses on a family that lives close to the “Zone of Interest.” The walls of their house are surrounded by structures that were once constructed as part of a concentration camp. Rudolf Hoss, the commandant of Auschwitz, played by Christian Friedel, and his wife, Hedwig, played by Sandra Huller, are responsible for the upbringing of their children, the entertaining of visitors, and the maintenance of the grounds, along with the assistance of several Jewish staff.
Because it challenges preconceived notions about the appearance and mannerisms of those who commit acts of brutality and injustice, the war picture directed by Jonathan Glazer is a true standout among films in this category. Hedwig putting on a coat and making remarks about plants covering the wall are examples of everyday situations that become sources of dread in this film. The film’s representation of the banality of evil via the Hoss family is astonishingly simple but immensely unnerving. It is crucial that the video from 2023 be a presentation of the kinds of people who are capable of doing awful atrocities, as well as a reminder that these individuals may be astonishingly normal.
Zone of Interest is now available to watch on Max.
Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964),
A terrifyingly current and darkly humorous war film, Dr. Strangelove is a cult classic that is one of the best films ever made. Through the narrative of a paranoid United States Air Force general called Jack D. Ripper (Sterling Hayden), who orders a nuclear assault on the Soviet Union without the appropriate authority, it satirizes the concerns that were associated with the Cold War. Chaos and weird laughter flood the War Room as the President of the United States, Peter Sellers, and his aides struggle to cope with the situation. Pete Sellers is the President of the United States. Although everything is going on, RAF officer Group Captain Lionel Mandrake (Sellers) is making an effort to thwart Ripper’s objectives.
Dr. Strangelove, which is often considered to be one of the finest films directed by Stanley Kubrick, employs its one-of-a-kind style of humor to bring attention to the folly of creating a world that is completely destroyed by nuclear weapons. The satirical masterpiece did an excellent job of exposing the public’s true anxieties by means of witty jokes and story lines that clearly paralleled actual events and laws. The picture from 1964 also has a gloriously over-the-top comedy showcase by Peter Sellers, who portrays all three of his parts, including the titular character, with a great deal of skill.
As of right now, Max is streaming Dr. Strangelove.
All Quiet on the Western Front (2022)
All Quiet on the Western Front, which is available on Netflix, is a modern victory for the war genre. It is the third film version of Erich Maria Remarque’s book of the same name, which was first published in 1929. The story takes place during World War I and follows the spine-chilling journey of a German soldier named Paul Baumer, who is initially youthful and optimistic. Baumer, who is 17 years old, is anxious to enroll in the army with his buddies after hearing a patriotic speech. Only Paul managed to survive for a few more years of merciless and violent conditions, despite the fact that they were wearing uniforms that they were unaware were from dead soldiers. They went directly to the front lines and saw things that were beyond their comprehension.
A contemporary war film that is a must-see is All Quiet on the Western Front. It has a soundtrack that is unforgettable, costumes and makeup that are intricately crafted, and set pieces and cinematography that are outstanding. The film that will be released in 2022 will principally concentrate on the manner in which Paul’s dreadful and sometimes gory encounters turn the protagonist from a victim of propaganda into simply another disillusioned soldier who is thinking about his impending death. Despite the fact that its departures from the original source material have caused some controversy, the majority of people are in agreement that the adaptation directed by Edward Berger is an exceptional adaptation that can stand on its own.
“All Quiet on the Western Front” is now available to view on Netflix.
Schindler’s List (1993)
It is widely acknowledged that Schindler’s List is not only one of the finest war movies ever made, but it is also considered to be one of the best films of all time. Director Steven Spielberg has created an iconic masterpiece with this picture. It recounts how, after arriving in Krakow in 1939, German industrialist Oskar Schindler saved the lives of over 1,000 Jewish refugees by hiring them at his factories during World War II. The film is based on the heroic but sad real tale of Schindler, which was told by Liam Neeson.
This genre-defining masterpiece, which brought Schindler’s tragedy to life on the big screen in breathtaking black-and-white, is a well-known adaptation of Thomas Keneally’s book that was published in 1982. The director, Steven Spielberg, makes the most of every single second of the film’s three-hour running duration by using elements like suspense, sadness, and shock to demonstrate the harsh truth of the terrible evil that controlled that era. This is a heartbreaking and brutal representation of one of the worst periods in the history of mankind, and it is a tribute to the impact that a single individual can make when they make the decision to act in a morally responsible manner.
A streaming version of Schindler’s List is available on Amazon Prime Video.
