Hidden Gems on Netflix | July 2020

It’s safe to say that we’ve all got our money’s worth when it comes to the Netflix subscription over the last few months. There’s been a whole world of entertainment at our disposal, with everything from binge worthy box sets to old favourites on offer. Quite often we’ll find something that instantly grabs our attention when we sign into Netflix, but believe it or not, if you delve a little deeper into what’s on offer, you’ll actually come across a few hidden gems along the way. Of course it’s difficult to know whether or not something is going to be worth investing our time in, especially when we have a whole selection of go-to boxsets and movies saved in our watch list. So, to help you out, we’ve done the hard work for you and put together our selection of hidden gems you’ll currently find on Netflix. You’re welcome.

Dark

Can’t resist a mind-bending drama? Dark is for you. This German science fiction drama follows the aftermath of a child’s disappearance, setting four estranged families on the hunt for answers, uncovering secrets spanning across three generations. This critically acclaimed series is ominous, complex and incredibly intense, and we bet you’ll be hooked instantly.

Lord of War

While it may not seem like your typical Hollywood blockbuster, this 2005 action drama was met with rave reviews and should instantly be added to your watch list. Starring Nicholas Cage, Jared Leto and Ethan Hawke, it’s inspired by the stories of real life smugglers and arms dealers. Cage stars as a Ukranian immigrant arms dealer who is forced to confront the morals of his work when he discovers an Interpol agent is on his tail. Praised for being a highly realistic portrayal of arms trafficking, it’s a must-see.

Prisoners

This suspenseful, ominous crime drama will certainly get you thinking about the lengths you’d go to to protect your family. Starring Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhall, this 2013 hit follows a father who decides to take matters into his own hands after his daughter and her friend are abducted. With a gritty subject matter and realistic characters, this is one you’ll be fully immersed in, and it’ll stay with you for days afterwards.

Law Abiding Citizen

For those who love a vigilante flick, Law Abiding Citizen is certainly one you won’t want to miss. Following the murder of his wife and daughter, a grieving man sets out to take justice into his own hands after one of their killers are set free. Starring Jamie Foxx and Gerard Butler, this intense crime thriller is one that will noy only have you hooked, but it’ll also get you thinking.

Snowpiercer

Landing on Netflix just a couple of months ago, Snowpiercer is a post-apocalyptic dystopian thriller that follows the remnants of humanity inhabiting a moving train that circles the globe, now a frozen wasteland. There’s a whole host of topics addressed in this intense drama too, including class, politics and social injustice. Currently there’s just one season of ten episodes, so this is one you’ll be able to smash through in a day or two.

Icarus

You’ll be instantly hooked on this award-winning documentary by Bryan Fogel, which investigates the international doping scandal within sports. Winning the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature of 2017, this controversial documentary is gripping, intoxicating, and highly compelling!

Mindhunter

Crime fans will love this chilling drama based on the true crime book of the same name. Set in the late 1970s, it follows two FBI agents investigating the psychology of murder by interviewing imprisoned serial killers. With two intense seasons for you to immerse yourself in, you won’t be able to resist progressing onto the next episode.

Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened

Another one of our top documentary picks is Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened. This provocative documentary goes behind the scenes of 2017’s Fyre Festival, which infamously unraveled. Packed with scandal, it documents the spectacular failure of the supposed luxury music festival, all while demonstrating the dangers that being wealthy and overly confident can bring.

Life on Mars

Finally, there’s the award-winning BBC drama Life on Mars, which we’ll all fondly remember from its original run back. Following a police officer who finds himself waking up in 1973 after a car accident in the year 2006, this ambiguous sci-fi drama is critically acclaimed and features a killer soundtrack too. Whether you’ve seen it before or discovering it for the first time, this is one of those British shows that you just have to see.

We hope we’ve given you plenty to add to your watch list for the next couple of weeks - whether you’re an action movie buff, a boxset binger or a documentary fanatic, there’s a whole host of binge-worthy entertainment for you to immerse yourself into.

Written by Amy Jackson - 19th July 2020