Netflix built its reputation by having a huge library of films available to stream at a moment’s notice. Over the last few years, Netflix has flexed its muscles as the dominant streaming service by putting together an unmatched lineup of hit films, classic movies, and original productions. But with so much content coming at a rapid pace, a lot of movies get lost in the shuffle. These are the underdog films that never really found the audience that they deserved. However, these movies deserve a second chance to connect with viewers. If you’re looking for something fresh, check out the most underrated movies on Netflix. You won’t be disappointed.
Hail, Caesar! (2016)
Joel and Ethan Coen’s movies rarely disappoint, but audiences just didn’t respond to Hail, Caesar! when it was released. That’s unfortunate, because it’s another sharp Coen brothers comedy about real-life Hollywood fixer Eddie Mannix (Josh Brolin). Eddie’s life is a blur of constant crises, from actress DeeAnna Moran (Scarlett Johansson) and her scandalous pregnancy to the kidnapping of star Baird Whitlock (George Clooney) by disgruntled communist screenwriters. Eddie is also dogged by twin gossip columnists, Thora Thacker and Thessaly Thacker, both of whom are played by the great Tilda Swinton.
Rotten Tomatoes: 85%
Stars: Josh Brolin, George Clooney, Alden Ehrenreich, Ralph Fiennes, Jonah Hill
Director: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 106 minutes
Stranger Than Fiction (2006)
We are all the heroes of our own stories. But in Stranger Than Fiction, Will Ferrell’s Harold Crick discovers that he’s not even in control of his own life. Instead, Harold’s entire existence as a hapless IRS agent appears to be at the whim of author Karen Eiffel (Emma Thompson), a writer who has a habit of killing off her tragic protagonists. Harold desperately tries to hang on to his life and even finds a romantic connection with Ana Pascal (Maggie Gyllenhaal). But his fate is ultimately out of his hands.
Rotten Tomatoes: 73%
Stars: Will Ferrell, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Dustin Hoffman, Emma Thompson
Director: Marc Forster
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 113 minutes
Take Me (2017)
In Take Me, Ray Moody (Pat Healy) has an unusual business model. Clients pay him to experience a simulated kidnapping. Ray’s latest client, Anna St. Blair (Taylor Schilling), wants Ray to go a step further and get physical with her. However, when the kidnapping actually occurs, Anna claims that she has no knowledge about Ray or his business. Ray is forced to question whether Anna is playing mind games with him or if he has been duped into committing an actual crime. And if the police catch Ray in the act, then he may not be the only one to pay the price for his actions.
Rotten Tomatoes: 68%
Stars: Pat Healy, Taylor Schilling, Alycia Delmore
Director: Pat Healy
Rating: TV-MA
Runtime: 83 minutes
Mindhorn (2017)
Did you ever watch the hit ‘80s detective series Mindhorn? It’s like Knight Rider, except the cop, Bruce Mindhorn, had a cybernetic eye that let him see the truth. Don’t worry, it’s only a thing within the world of the Mindhorn film. Julian Barratt plays Richard Thorncroft, the washed-up actor who played Mindhorn in the TV show. In the present, a murderer named Paul Melly (Russell Tovey) insists upon only speaking with “Detective Mindhorn.” Richard eagerly jumps at the chance to capitalize on his former fame. However, the case is more complicated than Richard suspects, and he may have a chance to be more than just a performer.
Rotten Tomatoes: 92%
Stars: Julian Barratt, Essie Davis, Kenneth Branagh, Andrea Riseborough, Steve Coogan
Director: Sean Foley
Rating: TV-MA
Runtime: 89 minutes
The Long Dumb Road (2018)
As the title suggests, The Long Dumb Road is a road movie featuring Tony Revolori as Nathan, an inexperienced young man who is leaving home for the first time to begin studying at an art school. After Nathan’s car breaks down, a mechanic named Richard (Jason Mantzoukas) fixes the problem and requests a ride with him. From there, Richard tries to be Nathan’s guide in his brave new world, but it’s really Richard who needs direction and guidance. Their shared misadventures test their newfound friendship, but this road is anything but dumb.
Rotten Tomatoes: 73%
Stars: Tony Revolori, Jason Mantzoukas, Taissa Farmiga, Grace Gummer
Director: Hannah Fidell
Rating: R
Runtime: 90 minutes
Catfight (2016)
Blood-splattered street fights may not be the first images you think of when you see Killing Eve‘s Sandra Oh and indie film star Anne Heche, but they will be after Catfight. In this odd comedy, Oh and Heche play estranged college friends Veronica and Ashley, respectively, who essentially trade lives after a chance encounter at a birthday party leads to a vicious fist fight between the two. Catfight does a wonderful job of mining humor out of ostensibly mundane situations. If nothing else, Catfight is worth a stream solely based on how hilariously gruesome and bloody the fist fights between mild mannered adults are choreographed.
Rotten Tomatoes: 73%
Stars: Sandra Oh, Anne Heche, Alicia Silverstone, Amy Hill
Director: Onur Tukel
Rating: TV-MA
Runtime: 96 minutes
Buster’s Mal Heart (2016)
Put simply, if you like the mental acrobatics needed to follow along with one Mr. Robot episode, then Buster’s Mal Heart is perfect for you. Mr. Robot and Bohemian Rhapsody star and poster boy for digital anarchy Rami Malek plays hotel concierge Buster, who has similar objections to conventional living as Malek’s character from Mr. Robot. The storyline is not linear, with director Sarah Adina Smith doing an expert job of placing you in Buster’s deteriorating mind as the film constantly jumps between his different mental states and odd situations. Buster’s Mal Heart will bend your mind in the most enjoyable ways.
Rotten Tomatoes: 72%
Stars: Rami Malek, DJ Qualls, Kate Lyn Sheil
Director: Sarah Adina Smith
Rating: TV-MA
Runtime: 96 minutes
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