The 50 best movies on Netflix New Zealand
The definitive list of the best films to stream on Netflix NZ.
Behold, Steve Newall has crafted the definitive list of the best films currently available to stream on Netflix NZ. We’ll update this post each month as films come and go from the streamer.
Athena
Watch on NetflixFurious and frantic, Athena builds on director Romain Gavras’ previous work, most notably his music videos Stress for Justice and Bad Girls and Born Free for M.I.A. As many have noted, the rest of this feature can’t quite live up to its audacious, opening sequence—a spectacular oner moving from French police press conference to violent protest and a housing estate entering a state of siege. Amid the growing chaos and violence as riot squads descend on the estate, three brothers of Algerian descent pursue conflicting, desperate strategies as they’re backed into various corners. Despairing, urgent, tragic, brutal—and a strong showcase of Gavras’ talents.
Atlantics
Watch on NetflixSet in Senegal’s capital Dakar, supernatural romantic drama Atlantics follows interweaving narratives—construction workers rail against not being paid to build a shining corporate tower above the impoverished city, and teenaged Ada prepares for her arranged marriage. Connecting the two is Ada’s romance with Souleiman, one of the aforementioned workers, who’s among a group of them to set sail in the middle of the night for Spain. Things get odd when illness begins to befall those close to these men, and Souleiman’s said to have made a reappearance. A deft blend of various elements, and a super promising first feature from Mati Diop.
Barbie
Watch on NetflixGreta Gerwig’s exceptionally colourful adaptation of Mattel’s iconic toy character smashed box office records after taking 64 years to find the perfect live-action Barbie and Ken, in the form of Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. Barbie offered much more than just surface charms, though, somehow finding a way to thread an impossible needle of feminist empowerment and anti-corporate sentiment even as it served establishment forces. But that’s the confusing dualities of our capitalist society for you! Sometimes, all you can do is laugh, and Barbie‘s many talents provide plenty of opportunities.
Blade Runner 2049
Watch on NetflixRevisiting Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner universe shoulda been sacrilege—especially in our era of sub-standard sequels and prequels. And yet… 35 years on, Denis Villeneuve ushered us into a new pessimistic future, one that built on Scott’s themes and characters, and also found new, enthralling and moving things to say about humanity and sentience—all while screaming that coming decades would be grimmer than even the 1982 original had predicted.
Bridesmaids
Watch on NetflixJust look at that lineup of comedy talent above—it’s ridiculous. As was the “conventional wisdom” back in 2011 that a comedy starring women might not work. Not just critically adored, Bridesmaids remains the highest-grossing movie produced by Judd Apatow, wiping the floor with his filmography of generally delayed adolescent, dude-centric pics. Speaking of wiping, one of the many achievements of Bridesmaids was in demonstrating that the full range of comedy is open to women. Not just rom-com but profane shit- and spew-laced laughs. Both outrageous and outrageously successful, this tale of pre-wedding hi(and low?)-jinks remains a modern classic.
Clueless
Watch on NetflixAmy Heckerling captured something special about young people in the 80s in her directorial debut Fast Times at Ridgemont High, and the following decade leant more iconic than observational with Clueless. Riffing on Jane Austen’s Emma, Heckerling connects the dots between the privileged positivity of 1800s wealth and 20th century Beverly Hills. Endlessly quotable (thanks in part to studying actual teens) and boasting a killer ensemble—Stacey Dash, Brittany Murphy, Paul Rudd etc etc.—with its star Alicia Silverstone cementing Clueless‘s all-timer status.
The Death of Stalin
Watch on NetflixBrutal black comic infighting gets underway in Armando Iannucci’s blistering satire, set in the immediate aftermath of the death of Soviet dictator Josef Stalin. The brutal mass murderer (deliberately killing some six million people) had cultivated a culture of complete obedience, which quickly becomes a power struggle by his Politburo members—a fantastic ensemble including Steve Buscemi, Rupert Friend, Jason Isaacs, Andrea Riseborough, Michael Palin etc. Think Conclave with more jokes—or a sign of what’s to come when Trump chokes on a Big Mac.
Dredd
Watch on NetflixJust look at that face (the bit you can see): Karl Urban was made for this shit. Erasing all memory of Stallone, the beloved 2000 AD character comes to life in a compellingly claustrophobic action pic that isn’t afraid to get down and dirty. Locked in a towering apartment building, Judge Dredd and his rookie partner (Olivia Thirlby) go up against 200 storeys of drugged-up crims, led by crime lord Ma-Ma (Lena Headey), and the tight focus works to make this an action thrill. Written and produced by Alex Garland, and more, perhaps—“What a lot of people don’t realize is that Alex Garland actually directed that movie,” says Urban—before making his official debut with Ex Machina.
The Edge of Democracy
Watch on NetflixBrazil’s democracy is in crisis in this intimate, insightful and terrifying Oscar-nominated doco, worth revisiting as disgraced former President Jair Bolsanaro stands trial on coup planner charges. Filmmaker Petra Costa’s family background allows incredible access to leftist President Lula and the impeached Dilma Rousseff, while charting the corruption scandal and questionable judicial decisions that took Brazil to the verge of democratic collapse as their parliament was overrun by frenzied, manipulated protestors—revealing a strain of malignant populism that is mirrored in today’s White House.
This year’s companion piece Apocalypse in the Tropics offers further startling insights into the influence of Evangelical Christians on Brazil’s elections (and Bolsanaro’s rise).
Edge of Tomorrow
Watch on NetflixSupremely rewatchable, as befits its premise, a stymied release prevented Doug Liman’s sci-fi action pic making the box office impact it really deserved (and has deprived us to date of a much-wanted sequel). A nifty riff on video games, its characters have the ability to “live, die, repeat” while embracing nihilist gaming humour as they kick the bucket—Tom Cruise’s shriek when getting run over hilariously undercuts his movie star persona, as does his initially cowardly, slimeball character. The action rules, the devastated post-invasion world is stylishly depicted, and Emily Blunt proves she can more than hold her own opposite Cruise.
Everything Everywhere All At Once
Watch on Netflix2023’s big Oscar winner (Best Picture, Director, Actor(s), Screenplay etc) showed there can be heart in a multiverse tale, and also that a film bursting with creativity can take on lavishly-produced blockbusters on a fraction of their budget. Its blend of complex concepts, examination of family, and strong emotional core should resonate with all viewers, (even if the buttplugs and hot dog fingers might get a bit much for some). The plot? Bit complex to get into here, but there’s a multiverse-destroying bagel, great visual gags and action—perhaps most significant about EEAAO is how huge a reminder of stars Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan’s enduring awesomeness it was.
Fast Five
Watch on NetflixDespite escalating levels of physics-defying action as each film tries to better the last, Fast Five stands as the high water mark of the series to date. Declared by Flicks writers to be the eighth-best action film of the 2010s, there was no bettering the surprise factor of Fast Five’s audacity in abandoning much, if any connection to street racing, while the welcome introduction of Dwayne Johnson to the franchise further enhanced the adrenaline factor. Everything clicked here, even (especially) as the film leans into its ridiculousness for maximum enjoyment—a rush the franchise has chased to diminishing success since.
Gone Girl
Watch on NetflixWhat a combination of A-games Gone Girl is. There’s Gillian Flynn’s novel, which she adapts for the screen here; David Fincher’s grasp of tone from stylish pic to trashy goodness; and the performances of Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike as the ill-matched Dunnes. Affleck in particular is a piece of pitch-perfect casting, drawing on his slimier, less sympathetic qualities as the kind of guy who it’s easy to believe would have actually killed his wife. As her disappearance is investigated, what unfolds is a thrilling sequence of events that doesn’t feel like it runs for anything like its two-and-a-half-hour viewing time.
Godzilla Minus One
Watch on NetflixSet at the closing stages of WWII and into its aftermath, this 37th Godzilla film (the first out of Japan since Legendary Pictures’ MonsterVerse really got rolling in the US) impressed with both its emotional and bombastic aspects. The long-term consequences of war (ruined cities, damaged guilty psyches) ring true here, and when the kaiju action commences, it’s largely depicted from a human perspective—and therefore both awe-inspiring and terrifying. Nods throughout to the Godzilla legacy, as well as a little Jaws influence creeping in partway, certainly don’t hurt, though this Godzilla can proudly stand tall on its own two, enormous, scaly, feet.
Happy Gilmore
Watch on NetflixIt may be approaching 30, but Happy Gilmore remains as entertainingly juvenile as ever. Along with the previous year’s Billy Madison, this sports comedy helped establish Sandler as a comedy star, especially in countries that didn’t get to see his run on SNL. Sandler’s a delight to watch as the immature, angry hockey player turned golfer, helped along by one-handed mentor Chubbs Peterson (the late, great Carl Weathers) as he tries to best the arrogant Shooter McGavin (Christopher McDonald in a superb turn as a comedy heel). And yeah, the sequel’s no good—but this remains unimpeachably enjoyable comedy.
Heat
Watch on NetflixPacino and De Niro duel as a detective and bank robber who have more in common with one another than any of the civilians in their lives. Sharing just a few minutes on screen together across the nearly three-hour running time, watching the pair orbit each other is a delight and when they collide, riveting. A complex thriller that’s proven highly influential since its 1995 release, not least of all its adrenaline-charged heist scene, the standard by which other action set-pieces have been judged since.
Hereditary
Watch on NetflixPolarising viewers as either the latest emperor’s new clothes arthouse horror twaddle or an engrossing meditation on grief that never lets up for a moment, Hereditary arrived on a wave of hype that would have seemed over-egged were it not for its strengths. The tale of family tragedy, hidden secrets and the occult was borne up by Toni Collette’s bravura performance as a mother on (and over) the edge, the supreme control exerted by first-time director Ari Aster, and a deeply unsettling tone punctuated by moments of sheer horror out of nowhere. Anointed by our writers as Best Film of 2018.
John Wick
Watch on NetflixThings get a bit convoluted in the Wick sequels (not that we’re about to stop watching). But it wasn’t the worldbuilding that made this breakout action pic such a hit—even if we were bizarrely deprived of a proper cinema release here in Aotearoa, crazy days!—but instead the lean, efficient plot, a style of action choreography to match, and of course, Keanu Reeves taking on a new signature role decades into his career. Frowning intensity, long take action, and tragic motivation all land wonderfully in his wheelhouse in this all-time classic.
The Killer
Watch on NetflixDavid Fincher’s latest thriller (#9 in our fave movies of 2023 writers poll) features Michael Fassbender, back from an acting hiatus/motorsport career as the titular killer. Bringing bone-dry humour, droll monologues, a steely presence and precise physicality to the role, he proves a great match for Fincher’s clinical precision, the pair elevating their pic above familiar fare—whether that’s in one of the best onscreen fight scenes of the year, or in more conversationally combative moments. As a bonus, now we know just what sort of person exclusively listens to The Smiths (yeah, a conscience-free psychopath), and corporate product placement has perhaps never been so intriguing.
Late Night With the Devil
Watch on NetflixA lost 1970s talk show broadcast provides the premise of this found footage horror (and 2023 film festival highlight). David Dastmalchian is a revelation here as a 70s talk show host, never feeling anything short of 100% the real deal in this found footage horror. Rarely do movies nail shows-within-films as seen here, his Carson-competing talk show feeling legitimately staged. This helps markedly with the sense of growing dread throughout—as does the time period, which locates this around the religious terror of The Exorcist and The Omen. Yeah, that’s right, there’s some devil shit—but you knew that from the title.
The LEGO Movie
Watch on NetflixChris Miller and Phil Lord masterminded 2014’s superbly creative and entertaining example of IP adaptation, matching quality with quantity of dollars earned in a way that wasn’t replicated again until Barbie. It certainly wasn’t matched by any of the LEGO films that followed… Hyper-energetic, hilarious and bringing to life a universe of LEGO in brilliant fashion, what The LEGO Movie also captures is the sense of play, fun, and creativity inherent in those little blocks and sets themselves.
The Lord of the Rings
Watch on NetflixSome 20-plus years after their release, we’re all due for another trip back to Middle-earth at some stage, perhaps even more so after Prime Video’s comparatively underwhelming Rings of Power. Peter Jackson’s staggering trilogy—The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers and The Return of the King—are all here so you can revisit hours of compelling storytelling and adventure, marvel in Aotearoa’s glory, and perhaps indulge in just a little nostalgia for this turn-of-the-millenium moment in New Zealand history (the making of these films: I know they aren’t historically accurate).
Mad Max: Fury Road
Watch on NetflixGeorge Miller’s action masterpiece is always deserving of a rewatch (or waiting to be discovered if you somehow haven’t seen it). Since its release in 2015, we can only think of a couple of action films to hold a candle to it, a desert-set spectacle with a tankful of creativity, craziness and car-related carnage. A strong emphasis on practical effects is bolstered, not replaced, by CGI work, with choreography, world-building and tone doing the heavy lifting in place of minimal dialogue (Tom Hardy’s grunts notwithstanding). A masterpiece, and maybe the first and last of its kind to be made for a major studio at this scale and singular vision.
May December
Watch on NetflixTodd Haynes (Carol) expertly juggles drama, thrills, comedy and melodrama as his cast brings their A-game in this, our favourite film of 2023. Natalie Portman is an actor researching an upcoming role, Julianne Moore her real-life subject, who years earlier made headlines with a scandalous sexual relationship with an underage boy. On one hand, it’s a character-driven drama, with powerhouse performances from Moore and Portman, who go up against each other at full thesp force; on another, it features unexpected moments of comedy (early on, I laughed at three gags in the space of about a minute); and it embraces the OTT to the point where you’d almost expect to hear Moore wail “no more wire hangers!”
Mister Organ
Watch on NetflixAn investigation into who’s behind a bizarre spate of car clamping outside an Auckland antique shop leads David Farrier on a strange and troubling journey in this doco, one that took a toll on the filmmaker as his subject turned the tables on him. “If I could not have made this, I would not have fucking made it,” Farrier told me at the time of Mister Organ‘s cinema release, and watching this, the idea of being in Organ’s orbit quickly begins to feel terrifying (and exhausting, depressing, boring). Trapped in a relationship with his subject, and documenting a history of similar manipulation, Farrier’s pain is our uncomfortable gain.
My Neighbour Totoro
Watch on NetflixNetflix delighted Studio Ghibli fans with the news that they’d acquired 21 classic films from Oscar-winning Japanese animation team Studio Ghibli (“feel free to cry big, globby tears of joy when you read this”, we said). But how to pick a fave, when the work of these animation masters is brimming with perfection? Even though we have ample love for Howl’s Moving Castle, Spirited Away, The Tale of the Princess Kaguya, Princess Mononoke, Laputa: Castle in the Sky and others you can see on Netflix, let’s appoint My Neighbour Totoro as Ghibli’s ambassador on this list (he’s their mascot, after all).
The Naked Gun
Watch on NetflixTo give it its full title, The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! is part of a stellar run of spoof comedies made by David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Jerry Zucker (aka ZAZ)—starting with the comic masterpiece Airplane! (aka Flying High) before the Val Kilmer-starring WW2 spoof Top Secret!. Deliciously deadpan, Leslie Nielsen appeared in the former, as well as starring in the cancelled-too-soon series Police Squad! as Frank Drebin—continuing the pun-heavy slapstick comedy style as the star of The Naked Gun. Lampooning the police thriller genre, it maintains the trademark ZAZ laugh-per-minute ratio. And, I almost finished writing about it without typing “OJ Simpson”.
The Nest
Watch on NetflixBetween 2011’s superb cult-themed debut Martha Marcy May Marlene and last year’s wrestling true story The Iron Claw, writer-director Sean Durkin helmed this strong, but under-seen, drama starring Jude Law and Carrie Coon. In this 1980s-set pic, a family makes a stressful move from the United States to a large manor in the English countryside (far from the cosy environment of the title). It’s the setup for horror, a vibe Durkin taps into even while most of the film’s stresses and scares are of the domestic or relationship variety, The Nest nevertheless proving an engrossing and disturbing watch, propelled by powerful performances as a family falls into crisis.
The Night Comes For Us
Watch on NetflixSurely the most over-the-top action you’ll find on Netflix, this Indonesian pic shares thrilling choreography and key cast members with The Raid, but gleefully embraces the gory end of the action spectrum. Director Timo Tjahjanto serves up a massive body count, and relishes coming up with as many different ways for a human to kill another human as he can, broken cattle bones in a freezing works being among our favourites (along with plenty of other shooting, breaking, and chopping manoeuvres). There’s probably a story in there somewhere but it escapes us just now—doesn’t stop this slice of splatter action from being incredibly entertaining.
Nightcrawler
Watch on NetflixWriter-director Dan Gilroy burst onto the scene with this viciously original feature debut that made a creep out of Jake Gyllenhaal, perfectly casting him in the role of a disturbed man who gets a toxic taste for nighttime crime journalism. While Gyllenhaal was wrongfully denied an Oscar nomination for his masterfully creepy performance as a freelance crime journalist who goes to excessive lengths to get a scoop, Gilroy’s original screenplay earned a nod at the Academy Awards.
No Country for Old Men
Watch on NetflixThe Coen Brothers’ first crack at adapting another’s work bore fantastically freaky fruit as they wrung every drop of anxiety out of Cormac McCarthy’s novel of the same name. Light on dialogue and heavy on mood, it’s a tale of taciturn men and violent inevitability, boosted by phenomenal performances including Javier Bardem’s menacing hitman and the all-Americans (Tommy Lee Jones and Josh Brolin) who find themselves entangled with him. Perhaps the best Best Picture Oscar-winner to be found on Netflix.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Watch on NetflixTarantino’s second-to-last film ever(?!) continues his run of rewriting history. After killing Hitler and racist plantation owners in prior pics, the Manson Family come under the spotlight here, in a gorgeous recreation of 1969 Hollywood. Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt are a great double act, while Margot Robbie captures Sharon Tate’s luminescence, all on a collision course of sorts as Tarantino transcends reality to turn true crime into a alternate reality fairy tale (as the title suggests).
Once Were Warriors
Watch on NetflixAlan Duff’s controversial novel came to the screen courtesy of Lee Tamahori’s explosive 1994 feature debut. Still the fourth highest-grossing local film at the Aotearoa box office, Once Were Warriors‘ portrayal of urban Māori life was an eye-opener around New Zealand and much further afield. Temuera Morrison’s Jake the Muss and Cliff Curtis’s Uncle Bully still chill just thinking about them—but there would be no film without the superlative performance of Rena Owen as Beth Heke, trying to do the best for her family in an environment soaked in deprivation, alcohol, and violence.
Paddington 2
Watch on NetflixAfter introducing the CGI Paddington voiced by Ben Whishaw to his live-action family (Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins etc) in 2014, the bear’s origin story—also on Netflix—was out of the way for this 2017 sequel which promptly… threw Paddington in prison? Replacing the excellently OTT Nicole Kidman as the villain here is Hugh Grant, serving up the kind of scenery-chewing comedy we’ve perhaps come to expect of late, but was something of a surprise scene-stealer on release. Framed for stealing a pop-up book, Paddington’s thrown into a jail environment that channels a little of Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel aesthetic, but this sequel remains full of its own charm as the lil’ bear goes about clearing his name.
Parasite
Watch on NetflixProving he didn’t need the trappings of a sci-fi future or cartoonish satire to make a point (though “serious” critical attention does seem to come more readily without them), Bong Joon-ho crafted a modern classic (and both a Palme d’Or and Best Picture winner). It’s a gripping, frequently funny and often nerve-wracking film in which one family’s attempt to survive modern capitalism may just show that some of us already live a somewhat dystopian existence. Comedy, drama and thriller elements are deftly balanced by director Bong as, one by one, a down-on-their-luck family infiltrates their wealthy counterpart.
The Piano
Watch on NetflixJane Campion’s history-making directorial accomplishment saw her become the first woman director ever to win the Palme d’Or, her film also earning Oscars for Holly Hunter, an astonishingly young Anna Paquin, and Campion herself. A decade before LOTR, it was also showcasing Aotearoa’s brutal scenery and black sand beaches on screens around the world—but all the above is just icing on the cake of a film that’s a gripping and moving study of power, sex and transaction. Thirty years on, The Piano remains as fascinating and unsettling as ever, observed Rachel Ashby in a recent retrospective for Flicks.
Pig
Watch on NetflixOur second-favourite film of 2021 uses a seldom-seen side of Nicolas Cage, perhaps blindsiding folks who expected spectacular scenery-chewing. For the most part, it’s a decidedly less-is-more turn by Cage as a broken man searching for his missing pig. Like a contemplative, culinary, and far less balletic/kinetic John Wick, Pig takes us on a journey inspired by an animal companion, through what is hopefully the very fictional fine dining underworld of Portland, proving deeply moving, constantly captivating—and alternately hilarious and heartbreaking.
The Power of the Dog
Watch on NetflixJane Campion’s mastery shines through in this Oscar winner, as the director goes about developing strong characters and setting in motion a chain of events that chillingly reveals itself in hindsight. Much less of a revisionist Western than some have billed it as, Campion nevertheless weaves a tale that hinges on performative masculinity, repressed emotion, and the weaponisation of desire. Patiently constructed, but not lagging, this is a period family drama with a sting in its tail that lingers.
Rebel Ridge
Watch on NetflixGreen Room director Jeremy Saulnier impresses again here with this First Blood riff, another example of small town police messing with the wrong guy. Terry (a superb Aaron Pierre) is stopped for cycling while Black, and a police search finds him in possession of a wad of cash—swiftly forfeited to the police department headed by a strutting Don Johnson, with little hope of return. Except… Terry needs it to bail his cousin out of jail before harm comes his way, and is himself possessed of a very particular set of skills. Initially reasonable, Terry has to resort to increasingly extreme measures to navigate his predicament—and the thrills keep coming.
RRR
Watch on NetflixThis Indian action sensation may run for just over three hours, but it doesn’t contain any padding. Instead, every minute of RRR is crammed full of creativity, this anti-colonial adventure laying down a huge challenge to bigger-budget, more technically-gifted Hollywood snoozefests. Cheer as the British Raj feels the might of two heroes teaming up (the Brits also having to contend with a literal truckload of wild animals at one point), and dance along to the soundtrack’s many contagious numbers. Truly thrilling, it stands on its own two feet, and is unlike anything Western audiences might have seen before. (It also placed third in our favourite movies of 2022).
Scarface
Watch on NetflixBrian De Palma’s 1983 gangster remake built around an iconic Pacino performance. This Oliver Stone-penned and Giorgio Moroder-soundtracked coke-fuelled tale of the rise and [spoiler] of a Cuban refugee in Miami has left an indelible mark on pop culture, thanks to oft-quoted lines of dialogue, a huge influence on the hip hop world, and serving as the key inspiration for Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. The film also launched the career of the then-unknown Michelle Pfeiffer—so thanks, Scarface!
Step Brothers
Watch on NetflixThis comedy highlight soars thanks to its inspired pairing of Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly as squabbling man-babies forced to get along when their respective parents get together. It’s utterly ridiculous with completely committed performances and comes as significantly lighter viewing than some of the other entries on this list. Ferrell and Reilly are a joy to behold, while Adam Scott is great as an asshole (and shines leading an a cappella rendition of Sweet Child O’ Mine). Warriors players Shaun Johnson and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck’s Step Brothers-referencing photo shoot further illustrates its cultural legacy as a piece of high art.
The Stranger
Watch on NetflixMission: Impossible’s Sean Harris has possibly never been more terrifying—which is saying something—than in this utterly bone-chilling Australian thriller. In a departure from typical true-crime narratives, director Thomas M. Wright patiently ensnares us in the psychology, environment and relationships of his characters, before weaving in more expected procedural elements. Harris is paired with an on-form Joel Edgerton, and with their dangerous relationship at its core, The Stranger leaves us as on edge as the two key men on screen. A hard (if tough going) recommend.
Sweet Country
Watch on NetflixAt times exploiting the Western genre’s conventions and at others gently subverting them, Warwick Thornton’s Sweet Country sees an Aboriginal stockman and his wife flee across the Outback after committing the cardinal sin of killing a white man in self-defence. Among their pursuers, Bryan Brown is a mean bully, prone to erupting in spittle-flecked fury, while Sam Neill only sporadically emerges from myopic thrall to the Bible. An often searing portrayal of colonial racism and rage at a time when today’s cultural paradigm coalesced—a continent ruled by arrogant invaders, who’ve dispossessed the Indigenous people’s connection to culture and country.
Talk to Me
Watch on NetflixPicked up for distribution by A24, Aussie horror Talk to Me was one of horror’s hottest tickets in 2023. Inspired in part by backyard drug trips (as Steve Newall heard from its directors), the film sees teenagers taking turns to grasp an embalmed, inscribed hand at séances, holding it and saying “talk to me”—whereupon they’re possessed by a random spirit. Of course, that’s just the beginning… A seriously strong horror debut, and a welcomely confident piece of storytelling full of creep-outs.
Three Identical Strangers
Watch on NetflixThe story of identical triplets reunited at age 19 and the dark secret behind their initial separation, to say too much about what transpires in this must-see documentary would diminish its impact. Suffice to say, this tale of identical triplets reunited after being adopted out to three different families—their connection to one another unbeknownst to parents and kids alike—packs more punches than simply the novelty factor that made momentary celebrities out of the three young men in question. Their post-reunion life is fascinating, as is the investigative work into how the whole situation came about, dark revelations that you’ll be desperate to discuss with fellow viewers.
Total Recall
Watch on NetflixOne of Paul Verhoeven’s great run of satirical sci-fi action movies, like RoboCop and Starship Troopers, Total Recall functions superbly as pure action entertainment even without factoring in its wonderfully sarcastic sentiment. Built on a Philip K. Dick sci-fi chassis, it’s the tale of an everyday Joe who finds out he has a hidden personality (“If I’m not me, who the hell am I?”). Verhoeven brings the gory action, eye for detail, and superb casting, surrounding Schwarzenegger with the likes of Sharon Stone, Michael Ironside, Rachel Ticotin and Ronny Cox. There’s so much to enjoy, from Kuato to the lady with three ____.
Uncut Gems
Watch on NetflixAdam Sandler is in top form in this anxiety-inducing drama, frantic and self-destructive as he does a high-wire act under the weight of the multiple gambles of his life (literal gambling, high-risk gem deals, debts to unsavoury characters, juggling mistress and family relationships). Filmmakers the Safdie brothers populate their film with a great cast as we follow Sandler’s character through increasingly high stakes, with Uncut Gems also managing to be funny and tender around the pulse-pounding. Maybe the most intense movie you’ll find on Netflix, and yes, THERE IS QUITE A LOT OF SHOUTING.
Under the Skin
Watch on NetflixThe Zone of Interest director Jonathan Glazer largely stripped Michael Faber’s novel of its Bad Taste-like alien food harvester subplot, and damn near all its narrative as well, in favour of a trippy, mesmerising tale of an alien on the prowl. The look and feel as the film shifts from gritty realism to gorgeous surrealism, accompanied by an ever-unsettling Mica Levi score, combine with Scarlett Johansson’s mix of predatory allure and truly alien affect for a film that leaves its mark—even if it may be hard to pinpoint exactly what that is beyond the hypnotic spell cast in its most enveloping moments.
Upgrade
Watch on NetflixSaw and Insidious writer Leigh Whannell went sci-fi here without losing any of the gore, in a throwback to futuristic techno-horror of yore. Logan Marshall-Green is great as a quadriplegic given an implant to restore control of his body (or so it would seem), comically interacting with the tech as they embark together on a bloody revenge spree. Deliciously grubby, a B-movie stretching its budget and capabilities to an enjoyable maximum.
Wham!
Watch on NetflixDocumentary charting the rise of pop duo Wham! and the strong friendship at its heart is a fun and unexpectedly heartwarming watch. George Michael may sadly no longer be with us, but thanks to previously unheard archival interview audio, alongside recollections from Andrew Ridgeley also unique to this doco, the pair get to tell their own story, a tale of comradeship and loyalty that resulted in a succession of landmark pop music achievements (including hits Club Tropicana, Wake Me Up Before You Go Go, Freedom, and Last Christmas).
The Wolf of Wall Street
Watch on NetflixScorsese’s funniest film is an overlong tale of excess, but with so much to enjoy what would you cut? DiCaprio is ridiculously watchable as financial fraudster Jordan Belfort, sharing extremely memorable screentime with Jonah Hill and Margot Robbie (in her breakout film). Hopped up and energetic, The Wolf of Wall Street is as frantic and excessive as the lifestyle it depicts, trading in the more stylish elements of Scorsese’s gangster pics for a drug-fueled sprint through the excess of the 80s and 90s—even if it might not have a hell of a lot to say.
