Looking for something to watch tonight? Netflix’s library of films is vast, but we’re here to help. Here are 17 underappreciated films on Netflix UK.
There’s a lot of streaming services out there and their libraries have seemingly an unending amount of films, which means that a lot of gems get buried under bigger, better known films. It’s become a little scary trying to find something to watch, especially if you’re already familiar with the blockbuster-y films on the front page.
We’ve taken a deep five into the depths of Netflix and dug out lots of films you may not have come across, or even if you have, deserve another watch.
Here are 17 underappreciated films on Netflix UK that are well worth your time, in our humble view.
Unicorns
Ben Hardy’s single dad Luke falls for a drag queen Aysha (Jason Patel) in James Krishna Floyd and Sally El Hosaini’s infectiously romantic drama. It’s a romance like few others. Patel and Hardy’s chemistry is palpable and it’s a modern love story that feels necessary and important for our times. Really special film, this one.
Femme
Sam H Freeman and Ng Choon Ping’s feature debut Femme is based on their short film of the same name, but sometimes longer is better. The film is riddled with tension, both sexual and the regular kind, and features two killer performances from George MacKay and Nathan Stewart-Jarrett. Stewart-Jarrett plays a drag performer who is assaulted by MacKay’s Preston but when the pair meet at a gay sauna again, things get complicated.
Attack The Block
John Boyega would go on to be a Stormtrooper with a heart of gold in The Force Awakens, but his breakthrough role came in Joe Cornish’ outrageously fun London-set sci-fi, Attack The Block. Aliens invade Earth, but a gang of teenagers from South London aren’t going to surrender that easily. The film’s creature effects rival those of big Hollywood productions and Attack The Block has that rare, perfect mix of scares and laughs. The sequel remains in limbo, though.
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Supernova
Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci break your heart and then mend it in Supernova, Harry Macqueen’s 2020 drama. Tucci’s Tusker has been diagnosed with dementia and its progression is putting pressure on Tusker and Sam’s relationship. If you’ve ever had a loved one suffering from dementia and you’ve watched them slowly disappear in front of you, Supernova will hit extra hard, but Macqueen’s film is beautiful in more ways than one.
Gerald’s Game
Before many got hooked on the terrors of The Haunting Of Hill House on Netflix, Mike Flanagan adapted one of Stephen King’s short stories into a film for the streaming service. Carla Gugino finds herself in a tricky situation when her partner suffers a heart attack during sexy time. The problem? She’s still handcuffed to the bed with no key available. Gerald’s Game is disturbing in more ways than one, and you’ll never look at handcuffs the same again.
Apostle
Apostle made quite an impression when it premiered in 2018, thanks to its brutal violence, but has since been largely forgotten. Dan Stevens plays a missionary, suffering from a crisis of faith, who infiltrates a Welsh cult who have kidnapped his sister. Directed by The Raid and Gangs Of London's Gareth Evans, the film contains immolation, cannibalism and a lot of stabbing, but its slow-building sense of dread is what really sets this one apart from a lot of the other modern horror films. We recommend a pillow you can hide behind.
May The Devil Take You
May The Devil Take You is another horror gem hidden in the streamer’s library. This one hails from Indonesia and is directed by Timo Tjahjanto, who has also helmed multiple entries in the V/H/S anthology movie series. A young woman visits her old home in search of answers after her father falls into a coma. Little does she know, a supernatural entity begins attacking her and her family. May The Devil Take You is genuinely terrifying with excellent scares and it wears its Sam Raimi influences on its sleeve without ever resorting to empty mimicry.
Alice, Darling
Anna Kendrick stars as Alice, a woman stuck in an abusive relationship. She decides to take a trip with her friends, who have grown worried about her, but after seeing a missing person poster of a young woman, Alice begins to re-evaluate her relationship. Kendrick turns in one of her best performances as Alice, fully leaning into the vulnerability of the role and never hiding any of Alice’s fear. Alice, Darling is also a heartfelt tribute to the healing power of friendships and women standing stronger together.
His House
Remi Weekes’ His House is a horror film about a multitude of things. Not only do Rail and Bol, South Sudanese immigrants who have just arrived in England, encounter something supernatural within their house, they also encounter the horrors of racism. The scares hit hard and the film has an uncanny ability to burrow itself under your skin and remain in your brain for days after the credits stop rolling.
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Okja
Before Bong Joon-Ho went on to win multiple Oscars for Parasite, he crafted this little eco-dramedy for Netflix. Mija, a young Korean girl, raises a “super pig” – it’s exactly what it says on the tin – but is forced to fight against the US meat industry that would much rather see the pig on a plate. The film is much funnier than the description might sound and at its heart, it’s a lovely story of a girl and her pet.
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret
Somehow it took 53 years to bring a film adaptation of one of Judy Blume’s most beloved books to the screen. Kelly Fremon Craig treats Blume’s book with delicacy and affection as she explores a year in the 11-year-old Margaret’s life. She’s awaiting for the arrival of her first period, hoping her boobs were bigger and genuinely is just looking to find her place in the world.
I Am The Pretty Thing That Lives In The House
You may associate Osgood Perkins’ name with Longlegs or The Monkey, but back in 2016, he delved into the world of gothic horror with I Am The Pretty Thing That Lives In The House. Ruth Wilson stars as a live-in nurse Lily, who becomes convinced her employer’s house is haunted. Personally, I would resign but Lily persists, with some pretty scary results. The film is an excellent example of Perkins’ natural ability to craft a horror film and a very overlooked film in his filmography.
Set It Up
Before Glen Powell shot to fame in Top Gun: Maverick, he starred in a little Netflix rom-com alongside Zoey Deutch, Lucy Liu and Taye Diggs. Powell and Deutsch play Charlie and Harper, assistants to ridiculously overbearing bosses (Liu and Diggs) and they start trying to push them together romantically to simply catch a break. Naturally, Harper and Charlie catch more than a break. Set It Up is light, funny and sweet.
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Puss In Boots: The Last Wish
File this one under “This was much better than expected”. The Shrek spin-off franchise Puss In Boots has never quite reached the same levels of fame and fortune as the green ogre. But the franchise’s third entry, subtitled The Last Wish, proved that there was more to it than a cute cat in fancy boots. Surprisingly, The Last Wish finds Puss on his last life and trying to restore his other eight lives to avoid death. It might sound heavy, but somehow The Last Wish makes the fear of death accessible and understandable for all age groups.
Gaga: Five Foot Two
At the time of writing, Lady Gaga has just released her eight studio album, MAYHEM to critical acclaim. Her singing has won her an Oscar and the ‘Bad Romance’ singer has performed all around the world and become an award-nominated actress, too. Gaga: Five Foot Two gives us an intimate look into the life of Gaga, including her struggles with fibromyalgia. Gaga comes across as open, empathetic and dedicated to her craft as we follow her during the making of her album Joanne and preparing to perform at the Super Bowl.
Snowpiercer
Another Bong Joon-ho one, no regrets. Snowpiercer had a troublesome release after The Weinstein Company demanded extensive cuts to the film, but Bong wouldn’t relent. In fact, he lied to Harvey Weinstein himself to keep a specific scene in the film, saying it was a tribute to his fisherman father. His father didn’t even fish. The film never made it into UK cinemas, finally receiving a proper release digitally in 2018, a whole five years after its initial release. Still, Snowpiercer remains a terrific dystopian satire, and a must-watch companion piece to Mickey 17, in cinemas now.
The Half Of It
It’s been called a queer Cyrano de Bergerac, but what The Half Of It really is, is a brilliantly original take on a familiar story. Leah Lewis’ Ellie begins helping her neighbour in courting Aster while secretly also fancying her. The Half Of It is so much more than just another teen love story, though. Ultimately, this is a story of an immigrant girl coming to terms with and accepting herself. If you think you know how this story goes, think again. The Half Of It is full of surprises and all of them are the good kind.
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