Latest news with #underratedMovies
Digital Trends
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Digital Trends
3 underrated Netflix movies you should watch this weekend (May 9–11)
Table of Contents Table of Contents Mid90s (2018) The Mustang (2019) Two Lovers (2008) Tired of the usual Netflix recommendations? You're not alone. While the platform loves to push its biggest hits front and center, there are a lot of lesser-known films quietly waiting to be discovered. These quirky, moving, and even thrilling stories somehow slipped through the cracks but are just a few clicks away. This weekend, why not ditch the algorithm's usual hits in favor of some genuinely underrated movies on Netflix? Maybe you'll stumble across a coming-of-age story, a moving drama, or even an indie romance. These hidden gems may have missed the hype train, but they've got heart and surprising depth, with unique stories that will stay with you. So if you're craving something a little different, then check out these underappreciated Netflix movies that are calling your name. Recommended Videos We also have guides to the best movies on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu, the best movies on Amazon Prime Video, the best movies on Max, and the best movies on Disney+. Mid90s (2018) In 1990s Loss, 13-year-old Stevie (Sunny Suljic) finds himself trying to escape a volatile home life, marked by his abusive older brother Ian (Lucas Hedges) and emotionally distant mother Dabney (Katherine Waterston). Stevie is drawn to a local skate crew, with their carefree defiance giving him a kind of security he sorely needed. He is initiated into the group, earning the nickname 'Sunburn,' and he soon goes through the highs and lows of adolescence: first crushes, peer pressure, and the search for identity and belonging. Jonah Hill's directorial debut, Mid90s, perfectly captures the 'vibe' that has become associated with fan-favorite A24 movies and is among the company's most underrated releases. Shot in a nostalgic 4:3 aspect ratio on Super 16mm film and featuring the decade's hip hop hits, it transports viewers to a different time and fully immerses them in a minimalist yet moving narrative. Stevie's storyline expands to include the personal struggles of the friends he makes along the way, giving way to a candid depiction of teenage angst and camaraderie from a variety of perspectives. Mid90s is streaming on Netflix. The Mustang (2019) The Mustang is a gripping drama that follows Roman Coleman (Matthias Schoenaerts), who is serving time for a brutal assault. He is withdrawn and resistant to rehabilitation but is reluctantly enrolled in a unique program pairing inmates with wild mustangs, aiming to tame both man and beast. Assigned to a particularly unruly horse that he names Marquis, Roman's first attempts at training are frustrating. However, under the guidance of a fellow inmate and the watchful eye of the program director, Roman starts to form a tenuous bond with Marquis. This connection reflects the protagonist's own struggles and offers a path toward redemption. Based on an actual rehabilitation program in Carson City, Nevada, The Mustang is a one-of-a-kind exploration of the experience of being incarcerated. Director Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre's debut feature finds its magic in the unlikely connection between the untamed spirit of the wild mustangs and the hopelessness of the men who are forever changed by the program. Despite its critical acclaim, including a 95% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the 2019 film remains underappreciated. Its deliberate pacing and introspective tone make it perfect for audiences who are willing to engage and are ready for a deeply moving 96 minutes. The Mustang is streaming on Netflix. Two Lovers (2008) Joaquin Phoenix stars as Leonard Kraditor, an occasional photographer who moves back in with his parents after a broken engagement. Leonard's love life soon gets complicated when he finds himself torn between two women: Sandra Cohen (Vinessa Shaw), the stable and affectionate daughter of his father's business associate, and Michelle Rausch (Gwyneth Paltrow), his alluring but manipulative neighbor who is already having an affair with a married man. As Leonard oscillates between the two women, he's confronted by one tough choice after another, with his journey ultimately proving the heart's capacity for both love and self-destruction. Inspired by Fyodor Dostoyevsky's 1848 short story, 'White Nights,' Two Lovers tells a timeless tale set against the modern backdrop that is Brighton Beach. It soars thanks to a nuanced and understated performance from Phoenix, who captures his character's impossible internal turmoil that begins at a time when he was already vulnerable. Paltrow and Shaw provide equally compelling portrayals. The 2008 film went mostly unnoticed when it premiered, but it is a great pick for a romantic movie night or for any fan who wants to see Phoenix's earlier works. Two Lovers is streaming on Netflix.
Geek Girl Authority
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Girl Authority
Underrated Horror Movie of the Month: THE VILLAGE
Hey, horror fans! Welcome to another edition of Underrated Horror Movie of the Month. Every month, on the second and fourth Fridays, I come here to discuss a horror film that I feel is underrated and underloved. No subgenre, corner of the Earth or decade is left unchecked in the search for the most underrated movies. In this edition, I present the 2004 M. Night Shyamalan film The Village . Stick around to find out why I think this one deserves more love. About The Village This movie tells the tale of an isolated 19th-century village. The residents fear the things that live in the surrounding woods. This fear is the cause of stringent rules, one of which prohibits people from being outside after dark. The monsters pose a significant threat to the townspeople, who live in constant terror. RELATED: Underrated Horror Movie of the Month: Fright Night 2011 As Ivy (Bryce Dallas Howard) breaks some rules for love, as people sometimes do, a terrible truth is revealed. A truth that will change Ivy's life forever. Regardless, she is determined to learn more, no matter the cost. The Village stars Bryce Dallas Howard, William Hurt, Sigourney Weaver, Joaquin Phoenix, Adrian Brody, Brendan Gleeson, Cherry Jones, Celia Weston, Judy Greer and others. M. Night Shyamalan wrote and directed the film. The runtime is one hour and 49 minutes. This movie has a 43 percent Tomatometer Score and a 57 percent Audience Score on Rotten Tomatoes. It also has a 6.6/10 on IMDb. My Thoughts As always, I dove through copious amounts of online reviews to determine why some viewers do not like the movie. I sorted through comments on not enjoying anything by Shyamalan since The Sixth Sense, some that did not give a definitive reason, and more denoted the acting. However, two reasons kept resurfacing. Many viewers seem to have found the movie dull and unrealistic. Here are my thoughts on this reasoning. RELATED: Glass Spoiler Review What is or is not dull varies from person to person. The first time I watched this movie, I stayed on the edge of my seat the entire time. Plus, that twist ending? Come on. Shyamalan is known for his crazy twist endings, and this one falls right into line. Admittedly, it doesn't hold up once you know what's coming, so rewatches are not as enjoyable. Regardless, the first viewing gave me that creepy feeling of wondering what exactly was going to happen. As for unrealistic, here is the way I look at it. Some horror movies are meant to reflect things that COULD happen, but others are not. Take most of the infamous slashers, for example. All but one are immortal. With every Shyamalan movie I have seen, I did not get the impression that it was intended to be super realistic. In most cases, it is a scenario that has the potential to be based on actual events but is largely what all fiction movies are: a story. RELATED: Geek Girl Authority Crush of the Week: Ellen Ripley The Village boasts an incredible cast. There are some characters I wish they had explored more, but overall the acting is top-notch. Unfortunately, it is impossible to truly explore every character and allow for excellent development of each within the space of an average-length film. To do that would require many hours on a single story. Final Thoughts In terms of my general opinion, if you enjoy movies by Shyamalan, you will likely have fun watching this one, but if you are not a fan of his, it will be hit or miss. If you have not seen it yet, it is streaming on Peacock. Give it a try and then come back here and let me know your thoughts in the comments. If you have seen it, I want to know, did you like it? If not, why? Hit up the comments! Until next time, horror fans, stay spooky and watch more horror movies. Before you go, check out the trailer for The Village below.
