By Andrés Muñoz
How many minutes of your life have you spent picking stuff? Whether it is an ice cream flavour or screen-based entertainment, the problem with having a vast choice is analysis paralysis, the inability to decide on a course of action due to overthinking.
And isn’t this almost always the case when switching on Netflix? You end up exploring titles upon titles, only to pick a comfort film or TV series and fall asleep 30 minutes in? Search no more, my friend!
Here are 5 films available on Netflix that are highly recommended by yours truly. They cover all the bases with foreign movies, 90s and 2000s classics, and more. Make sure to check if these titles are available in your region.
Carne Trémula (Live Flesh): The Thrilling Spain Of The 90s
This classic by Spanish auteur Pedro Almodóvar is steamy, rough, and gritty. Taking us on a tour of the streets of 1997 Madrid, Live Flesh tells us the story of a reckless encounter between Victor and Elena that spirals out of control and into violence. Six years later, Victor gets out of prison, consumed by a love that’s become an obsession. Elena’s world has shifted dramatically, forcing Victor to face a past he can’t escape.
Starring a 28-year old Javier Bardem and based on the psychological thriller written by British author Ruth Rendell in 1986, the film has all the elements of an Almodóvar film: intense colours, passionate characters, and dark humour peppered throughout.
The Killer: Fincher’s Return To The Action Thriller
It’s been almost ten years since David Fincher’s Gone Girl in 2014. Yes, there was an interlude in the form of the biopic Mank, but the man behind Zodiac, Fight Club, Se7en, and other classics of the genre had to return to his true calling sooner or later.
The Killer isn’t your typical action flick. A cold, calculating assassin played by Michael Fassbender fails a job which messes things up for him. Fassbender’s character becomes hunter and hunted as he searches for a way to get his life back on track.
The first half hour is fascinating, with Fassbender’s character opening up a window into his psyche. Film Critic Peter Rainier of Los Angeles podcast FilmWeek says: “Fincher certainly has powerhouse craft when all cylinders are firing — which they are in this movie… A first-rate neo-noir.”
The King: Chalamet Goes Medieval
Before donning the desert suit in Dune, Timothee Chalamet wore chainmail in this Shakespearean epic. Directed by David Michôd, The King is a story that combines several elements of the Bard’s Henriad.
Chalamet stars as Prince Hal, a rebellious young, happy-go-lucky royal who steps up to the English throne after his ailing father dies. As soon as he is anointed king, Hal must enter the tricky world of court politics, filled with deceit and treachery. He is forced to harden himself, leading his troops into a brutal war against France that will make him the king England needs.
What I loved the most about this film was the dialogue. The words and how the characters conduct and express themselves are absolutely fascinating. Joel Edgerton’s performance is also particularly enjoyable.
Closer: A London Love Classic
One of the romance films from the 2000s I liked the most was Closer. Originally a play written by Patrick Marber, this 2004 masterpiece was one of Mike Nichols’s final movies. It shows four characters and the intricate web of romantic relationships between each other.
Dan, a struggling writer (Jude Law), falls for Alice (Natalie Portman), a mysterious American. Their passionate connection takes a turn when Dan meets Anna (Julia Roberts), a seductive photographer. Finally, Larry (Clive Owen) enters the picture. He is a successful doctor who gets involved with both Alice and Anna, intensifying the emotional chaos. The film blurs the lines between actual and fictitious feelings by exploring the concept of betrayal in modern relationships.
The Talented Mr. Ripley: Intrigue In Italy
Before you start clocking hours watching the latest Ripley series, I suggest you watch the late-90s movie The Talented Mr Ripley, which starred Matt Damon, Jude Law, and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Based on the novels by Patricia Highsmith, this psychological thriller is about Tom Ripley (Damon), a young American down on his luck. He is sent to persuade Dickie Greenleaf (Law), a wealthy playboy, to return home. In the process, Tom becomes increasingly drawn in by Dickie’s glamorous lifestyle and charm. As their friendship intensifies, Tom’s dark desires take hold.
The film is a slow burn that explores envy and ambition. Think of the Italian season of HBO’s “The White Lotus” in the 1950s. Prepare for a chilling performance by Matt Damon!
We hope these suggested films will keep you on the edge of your seat and provide hours of entertainment. Do you have any other interesting Netflix movie suggestions? Let us know in the comments section below!