If you’re tired of watching and rewatching episodes of “Parks and Recreation,” “The Office” and every new Netflix original series that comes out, then it’s about time you change your viewing habits. There’s no better place to start than with these five hidden gems on Netflix.
1. “Frances Ha”
Don’t let the fact that this movie is shot in black and white scare you. “Frances Ha” is able to draw you in with compelling character development. This 2012 film – which stars actor, writer and director Greta Gerwig – tells the story of a young woman with aspirations to become a dancer in New York. With realistic and funny dialogue, this film has a sort of slice-of-life narrative, which draws attention to themes of growing up, ambition and especially friendship, which makes it a great one to watch with your best buddy.
2. “Enemy”
If you’re looking for a mind-meddling experience, look no further than the 2013 thriller “Enemy.” This film features not one, but two, Jake Gyllenhaals. You may be thinking, how? The film is about a man, played by Jake Gyllenhaal, who happens upon his doppelganger while watching a film, which sparks a succession of eerie discoveries. If you want to immerse yourself into a totally bizarre film, then “Enemy” is a great place to start.
3. “Trailer Park Boys”
If dark and serious dramas aren’t your thing, no need to worry. “Trailer Park Boys” offers a fun, absurd and goofy cast of characters that you’ll grow to love within the first couple minutes of the pilot episode. This television series, which originally aired on Canadian television, is much like “Parks and Recreation” and “The Office” in its documentary-style approach to filming. The show is about Ricky, Bubbles and Julian, three inept friends who serve as heroic criminals in their trailer park community. This show is super quotable and a lot of fun.
4. “Nowhere Boy”
Listen up, music lovers. This 2009 film is all about the young life of one of the founding members of the Beatles: John Lennon. But even if you aren’t the biggest Beatles fan, there is still a lot to like about “Nowhere Boy.” The film covers Lennon’s growing interest in writing music as well as his interesting relationship with his mother. With an excellent performance from Aaron Taylor-Johnson, this film is a reliable selection for anyone who loves biopics.
5. “13th”
Documentaries may not be for everyone, but this one should be required watching. This film delves into the intersection of the Thirteenth Amendment and the mass incarceration of African Americans in the United States. The film features interviews with political scholars, figures and analysts. If you’re looking for an informative and impactful documentary, this is a great place to start.
So the next time you are scrolling through Netflix, searching for something good to watch, you will be equipped with this list of stellar movie and TV options.