Did you know Netflix has produced more than
200 original movies?
That's a lot of screen time.
But I'm sad to report that not all of it is worth your time.
Luckily, if you stick around, you won't have to sift through
all 200+ titles before just giving up
and rewatching "The Office."
I'm Alex Robinson, and on this week's "Bingeworthy,"
we've got the five best original Netflix movies
you need to watch right now.
I hope you have your microwave popcorn
and Swedish Fish ready,
because we’re jumping right in.
First up, "I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore."
But that's just the title of the movie,
that's not actually how I feel.
This film is part mystery, part thriller, part comedy.
We'll just say it wears a lot of hats.
But don't let the laughs fool you.
You can expect a hearty dose of violence, as well.
It is all about balance, am I right?
The movie tells the story of Ruth,
a nurse who is frustrated with the world
and her own life.
After her house is burglarized,
she goes on a vigilante crusade to find the thief,
teaming up with her quirky neighbor,
played by Elijah Wood.
Seriously, this movie's got everything.
Ninja stars, gallons of Big Red soda, upper deckers,
friendly raccoons, and even exploding body parts.
And through all that, the movie sets out to answer
the very timeless question:
Why are people such [beep]holes?
And if all that's not enough to convince you,
who could say no to Elijah Wood
in a rattail swinging a set of nunchucks?
- I'm not letting you shoot anyone.
Anyone... anyone else.
- Up next is "My Happy Family."
Manana is a middle-aged wife and mother
whose big, multigenerational Georgian family
is super demanding and suffocating.
After reaching her breaking point,
Manana shocks everyone by packing up
and leaving them to live on her own.
Of course, we quickly find that this sort of thing
just isn't done in Georgian families,
so the cultural angle adds an extra layer of tension.
Manana's husband, children, and parents are completely out
of their element with her gone,
but also equally peeved that
she tarnished the family reputation.
All of this leads to, and you guessed it,
major drama, lots of fighting,
and even eating cake for dinner,
which you might not have guessed.
While that may sound like a synopsis
for "Real Housewives," "My Happy Family" is both
delicate and brutal in its portrayal of independence
and women's changing roles in the household,
and it should be a relatable watch for anyone
who deals with their own family drama.
"The Meyerowitz Stories."
The movie follows the Meyerowitz family,
who all, to put it simply, have some very serious issues.
It plays out like a series of short stories,
tied together by a common thread.
All three of the Meyerowitz siblings share
a seething resentment toward their disappointing father.
This movie will keep you on your toes
with trying to navigate the tricky dynamics
of a dysfunctional family. Plus, it's packed with
straight up amazing performances
by an all-star cast.
You've got Adam Sandler, Ben Stiller, Dustin Hoffman,
and Emma Thompson, just to name a few.
But it's Adam Sandler who really steals the show here,
making a pretty major comeback
after a few questionable projects of late.
This movie is more akin to "Punch Drunk Love"
in its charm and teeters delicately between
comedy and tragedy, instead of hitting you
over the head with fart humor.
- Ow! You kicked me in the shin!
- Number 2: "Okja."
Hollywood loves a cute pig protagonist.
First, there was "Charlotte's Web," and then "Babe,"
and now we've got "Okja."
But while Okja the pig might be super adorable,
the movie is actually pretty dark.
It's about a "super pig'" that's genetically bred
by a corporation to be the perfect food source.
She was raised by 14-year-old Mija,
who loves Okja like a pet.
And I mean, how could you not?
The pig might be CGI but it is freakin' adorable.
So when the corporate overlords come
for her roly-poly pal,
Mija heads to the big city to save him,
encountering environmental terrorists,
a zany Steve Irwin-type,
and the suits at the top of the food chain.
The film's unlikely friendship between Mija and Okja
will have you dabbing at your eyes,
and its critique of human's relationship
with the natural world
might have you questioning even your own eating habits.
And finally, "Roma."
All that money Netflix has spent on originals
finally paid off.
This film earned 10 Oscar nods
and brought home three wins.
And even better, it's worth all the hype.
Alfonso Cuarón's black-and-white passion project
is an autobiographical story of a kind-hearted
maid named Cleo, who cares for a family
in 1970s Mexico City amidst her own personal troubles.
The movie is visually stunning,
with artful direction and deliberate, yet subtle, shots
that distinguish the unique style of the film.
The movie has an enduring subtly and tension throughout
that will really keep you invested.
Plus, it’s hard not to fall in love with Cleo.
But don't take my word for it.
My buddy Wil Fulton is a huge Cuarón superfan,
so I'm gonna give him a call with a little help
from Visible.
Hey Wil, what's up?
I'm talking "Roma" on "Bingeworthy."
- What's up, Alex? I'm always down to talk to you.
You came to the right person.
I recently was in Mexico City on vacation.
And I found the house where "Roma" was filmed.
So, you know, there's actually a plaque outside now
that says, "'Roma' was filmed here from 2016 to 2017."
And apparently it's nearly identical to the house
where the director, Alfonso Cuarón, grew up,
which is right across the street.
It's already kinda a landmark in Mexico City,
and a testament to how great the film is
and how much people love it.
- All right, Wil, I'll let you go.
Thanks for talking Cuarón with me.
So, there you have it,
the five best Netflix original movies.
Of course, since Netflix seems to be on a roll,
don't hold us to this list forever.
They might just whip out the next "Star Wars"
by the time you're watching this.
To stay up to date on our full list
of the best Netflix originals,
click the link on our description.
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subscribe to our YouTube Channel.
And to get my recommendations
on the best stuff to binge this year,
click the video to my left. Thanks for watching, everyone.