Editor's Pick: The best movies on Netflix Australia (February 2021)

When you have on-demand access to thousands of new release and classic movies from every genre, narrowing down your choices for that perfect Friday night flick isn’t always easy. Netflix offers incredible entertainment value for your dollars, but almost too many options if you’re a ‘can’t decide’ type.

Luckily, you don't have to spend all evening pouring through every title in Netflix's library. Here are some of our favourite picks from Netflix's Aussie catalogue - if you're looking for comedy, family fun or a high-stakes thriller, we've got something for you. 

The best movies on Netflix Australia

• The best comedy on Netflix Australia
• The best drama on Netflix Australia
• The best horror on Netflix Australia
• The best documentaries on Netflix Australia
• The best kids movies on Netflix Australia

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The best comedy on Netflix

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Scott Pilgrim vs the World

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Alex's analysis: A quirky action rom-com with endless amounts of visual flair.

Alex's rating:

Scott Pilgrim vs the World is your typical romance story: boy meets girl, boy falls in love, boy has to defeat girl's seven evil exes. What could be more relatable? Based on the comics by Bryan Lee O'Malley and directed by Edgar Wright of Shaun of the Dead fame, Scott Pilgrim vs the World is a laugh-out-loud-funny visual extravaganza packed with geeky references. But for all the pomp, Scott Pilgrim handles a simple theme well: everyone has baggage - Alex Choros

Easy A

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Alex's analysis: Easy A gets an easy A. 

Rating:

When 17-year-old Olive Penderghast (played by Emma Stone) pretends to sleep with her bullied gay bestie Brandon, her otherwise stellar reputation is ruined. While Brandon is accepted as straight stud, Olive is branded by her schoolmates as a skank and embraces this identity to help other misfits. In exchange for gift cards, of course. Inspired by The Scarlet Letter - which is frequently referenced in the film - Easy A is witty teen comedy that also manages to provide commentary around the double standards associated with gender and sex - Alex Choros

I'm Not An Easy Man

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Alex's analysis: Social satire masquerading as a rom-com that makes for an entertaining yet poignant watch. 

Alex's rating:

After chauvinist marketing man Damian bashes his head on a street sign, he comes to in a matriarchal society where men are treated as less-than-equal. I'm Am Not An Easy Man leans into its gender-reversal-Freaky-Friday-esque premise so hard that it's about as subtle as a sledgehammer, but manages to effectively combine laugh-out-loud comedy with scathing criticism of how society treats women. While far from perfect, I'm Not An Easy Man is an important watch, especially in the #MeToo era - Alex Choros

Mean Girls

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Jacqui's gist: Fourteen years on, Tina Fey's teen comedy has become "one of the most referenced cultural products of all time online," according to The Guardian. That is so fetch.

Jacqui's rating:  

If you're one of the millions of people who love Mean Girls, you don't need me to tell you why it's awesome. Just know that you can relive the magic now on Netflix. If you haven't seen Mean Girls yet, you need to get onto that. It's a ridiculously smart and funny exploration of toxic social cliques in high school. More importantly, it will help you understand all the memes and GIFs that have been going over your head for years. This is unapologetically a movie for teen girls but if you're not one, still watch it, because who says teen girl issues aren't important? - Jacqui Dent

To All the Boys I've Loved Before

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Jacqui's gist: High school wall flower Lara Jean's life is turned upside down when all her secret crushes suddenly become not so secret.

Jacqui's rating: 

I'm going to put all my cards on the table: this is an adorable movie. It has an adorable main character, she has adorable crushes on adorable boys and the whole story is just so cute. In a good way.

Here's what happens: Lara Jean is a shy and quiet type of girl who has written love letters to every boy she's ever liked. And then not sent them. She keeps them safe and sound in a box under her bed. Until - shock and horror - someone mails them. And her life gets complicated. To All the Boys I've Loved Before is a surprisingly original feel good triumph to watch in your pyjamas with snacks and squees at the ready - Jacqui Dent

Monty Python and the Holy Grail

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Jacqui's gist: Over forty years later, this absurdist comedy classic is still one of the funniest movies you can find anywhere.

Jacqui's rating:

If you haven't seen any Monty Python yet, now's your chance. An absolute trove of the work that inspired generations of comedians is now on Netflix and it's as side-splittingly hilarious today as it was four decades ago. Several titles in the Monty Python collection could arguably claim the crown of 'best' but among them Holy Grail is one of the strongest contenders, and a great jumping-off point if you're new to Python. 

Monty Python and the Holy Grail is an intertwined series of comedy sketches following the mythical King Arthur's fight against killer rabbits, rude Frenchmen, three-headed knights obsessed with shrubberies and his own lack of a horse on his quest to find the Holy Grail. It's completely silly, often surreal and always absurd. It also happens to be a masterpiece - Jacqui Dent

Between Two Ferns: The Movie

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Anula's notions: A mockumentary about Zach Galifinakis’s public access TV show trying to get picked up for prime time by a cashed up Will Ferrell.

Anula's Rating:

Based on the series of the same name, we follow Zach’s journey to *jazz hands* “become a star". When Ferrell approaches Zach with the chance to take his show to the big leagues, his crew and his two ferns embark on a road trip to perform a series of err… problematic interviews, with high-profile celebrities. 

For fans of the show, you can expect the trademark cringe worthy interviews and a surprisingly sweet story about following your dreams. Yep, some moments are laugh-out-loud while others are laughable - but that’s exactly what you’d want from a Between Two Ferns movie - Anula Keenan

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The best drama on Netflix

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Suffragette

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Jacqui's gist: A powerful reminder of the struggles and sacrifices that were made to win rights we now take for granted.

Jacqui's rating:

In 1912 London, working class mother Maud Watts joins the suffragettes, a group of female activists fighting what seems like an impossible battle for women's right to vote. Her story paints a powerful picture of the struggles women faced at work, at home and in the community, living in a society in which they had no political voice. It also brings home the unimaginable sacrifices women made in order to win their right to equality. An inspiring and moving story that you'll find hard to forget - Jacqui Dent

I, Tonya

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Jacqui's gist: The Tonya Harding skating scandal is one of those stories that would be unbelievable if it weren't true. 

Jacqui's rating:

In 1994 the American figure skater Tonya Harding's career ended in controversy when her ex-husband orchestrated an attack on her skating rival, Nancy Kerrigan. I, Tonya is the incredible true story of how that came to happen. Everything about this movie is surprising, from the humour to the heartbreak to the real details of the crime that shocked the world of sport. There was a lot of talk about this movie at Oscar time and it's easy to see why. I, Tonya is a movie that deserves all its hype - Jacqui Dent

Snowpiercer

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Anula's notions: If you've ever felt like you're just going round in circles, not getting anywhere just be happy you're not on this train.

Anula's rating:

This glaringly obvious representation of a class-based society plays out within a train, housing the world's last remaining inhabitants. Revolution brews from the downtrodden living in the final carriage and as the train circles the globe, the uprising plows through in an attempt to make it to the front. 

While the metaphors are as on the nose as they come, this film speaks volumes about classism and chaos, and does it with a reverence you can't help but appreciate - Anula Keenan

Pride

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Jacqui's gist: The hilarious and heart-warming story of an unlikely alliance that made history.

Jacqui's rating:

In 1984 the UK's conservative government, police force and press went to war against its coal miners on strike - earning the attention of a group of gay and lesbian activists who felt they too had been bullied by the same bunch. The gays teamed up with the miners, overcoming prejudice to forge an alliance to be reckoned with. You'll be cheering for Pride before the end- Jacqui Dent

Howl's Moving Castle

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Anula's notions: *incoherent sobbing*

Anula's rating:

Young 'plain' Sophie is working in a hat shop, when Howl - known wizard, and eater of beautiful girl's hearts - comes flying through the town. Sophie doesn't think she has anything to worry about, and worries even less when she becomes cursed to live in the body of an elderly woman. Old Sophie befriends Howl, and a fire demon named Calcifer, and becomes entangled in Howl's resistance against the king's war.

There are so many twists and turns, and if you have never seen it before you'll probably need to watch it twice. Director Miyazaki set out to convey the message that life is worth living, and it will get you there, while tearing your heart up, before piecing it gently back together. - Anula Keenan

Side Effects

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Jacqui’s gist: It may seem like your standard drama/thriller but Side Effects is far from ordinary.

Jacqui's rating:

When Emily Taylor becomes depressed following the release of her husband from prison, she turns to a new kind of prescription medication for relief. But that's about as much as I want to tell you about the plot of Side Effects, because the best part of this movie is the twists. There are several, they are shocking and you will not see them coming. That plus the excellent casting of Rooney Mara and Jude Law make this movie well worth a watch - Jacqui Dent

The King

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Jacqui's gist: A haunting retelling of Shakespeare's Henry V.

Jacqui's rating:

If you don't like Shakespeare, don't worry. Writers Joel Edgerton and David Michôd have stripped out the verse and replaced it with dialogue that is short, sharp and to the point. If you do like Shakespeare, don't worry. All your favourite themes and character arcs are still there, but even more profound thanks to some innovative twists on the Bard's classic storylines. If you don't know any Shakespeare, just watch it anyway because it's got great acting, stunning visuals and it's a damn good story - Jacqui Dent

La La Land

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Jacqui's gist: If you like romance or musicals, you'll likely like La La Land.

Jacqui's rating:

La La Land is a movie that harks back to the golden days of Hollywood. It's jazzy, it's swell. It's about a guy and a girl. They don't get on, and then they do ... you get the picture. This is a really nice romance. And a love song to LA, city of dreamers where the starry-eyed go to make it big. It's got a beautiful, strangely haunting soundtrack and is generally a lovely way to spend a Saturday night - Jacqui Dent

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The best horror on Netflix

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Us

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Alex's analysis: A smart, poignant horror that still delivers on scares  

Alex's rating:

Us is one of those movies where it's best to go in knowing as little as possible and just enjoy the ride, but in short, it follows a woman - Adelaide Wilson - and her family as they pursued by their doppelgangers. Directed by Jordan Peele of Get Out fame, Us is a surreal, strange film that's so much more than just a horror - Alex Choros

Annihilation

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Alex's analysis:  A super smart horror, perhaps best described as Alien meets a bad trip.

Alex's rating:

After a small meteor collides with earth, a crack team of military scientists are tasked with investigating the quarantined impact site. As they explore "The Shimmer", the team encounter mutated wild life, twisted human remains, and find they can longer remember extended stretches of time. It only gets weirder from there. While Annihilation can be enjoyed purely as a sci-fi tinged horror, it also succeeds as a cerebral film: when it's not grossing you out with gore, Annihilation asks big questions about what it means to be human. It sure is a wild ride - Alex Choros

The Invitation

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Alex's analysis: If you're after slow, menacing horror, put The Invitation on the top of your list. 

Alex's rating:

We've all been to an awkward party, but The Invitation is the awkward dinner party to end all awkward dinner parties. Protagonist Will is invited to a soiree hosted by his ex-wife and her new partner at his old home, which is unpleasant enough. To make matters worse, it turns out the new couple is part of support group that sounds more than a little cult like and they're very keen on sharing the love. It's a tense, uncomfortable slow burn - Alex Choros

Cam

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Alex's analysis: A more surreal, almost Lynchian take on the whole Black Mirror "what if technology, but too much" trope.

Alex's rating:

Alice - aka Lola_Lola - is a moderately successful camgirl (Google it, just not at work) who's looking to make the big leagues. But as she works her way up the "most watched" list, she finds herself locked out of her account, replaced by a digital double. Channelling the likes of Hitchcock and Lynch, Cam is nuanced and surprisingly tasteful for a movie that's ostensibly about taking your clothes off online, and explores themes that stretch far beyond what you might expect. Well worth the watch - Alex Choros

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The best docos on Netflix

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The Great Hack

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Jacqui's gist: A must-see for anyone who uses the internet. So, for everyone.

Jacqui's rating:

If you've ever wondering whether online privacy matters, watch The Great Hack and you'll know. This eye-opening documentary delves into the Cambridge Analytica scandal, and the ways our online data can now be used to influence election results, with curated ads targeting individual voters to change their world-view - Jacqui Dent

Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened

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Alex's analysis: The story behind 2017's best schadenfreude moment.

Alex's rating:

Fyre was meant to be a luxury music festival, the next big thing. Instead, it turned into an influencer-filled Lord of the Flies. Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened tells the story of why punters who paid thousands of dollars to attend a luxury event ended up staying in rescue tents and eating pre-packaged sandwiches. A tense, gripping look at how it all went so wrong - Alex Choros

One of Us

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Jacqui's gist: This heartbreaking documentary follows the lives of three individuals as they try to leave the Hasidic Jewish community.

Jacqui's rating:

In the heart of modern Brooklyn lives an ultra-conservative Jewish community. They isolate themselves from the secular world by speaking mostly Yiddish, wearing the clothes of their European ancestors and ostracising any community members who try to leave. One of Us follows the stories of three of those people. Cut off from friends and family and struggling to survive, this documentary exposes the trials and resilience of three individuals who have been pushed by abuse and trauma to explore the world outside - Jacqui Dent

Amy

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Joe's judgement: Heartbreaking and genuinely surprising, Amy is a must-see even if you have never been interested in her music.

Joe's rating:

Charting the life of musician Amy Winehouse from the very beginning of her career to her untimely death, this documentary shines a light on the details of her short time in the spotlight, her relationships and the way she struggled with her sudden rise in popularity. Director Asif Kapadia digs up fascinating archival footage and tells her story through interviews with her closest friends. I thought I knew the Amy Winehouse before I watched this and was staggered by the tragedy of the circumstances leading to her passing away. It also had me singing her songs in the shower for weeks after - Joe Hanlon 

Icarus

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Jacqui's gist: Amateur cyclist Bryan Fogel stumbles into the heart of Russia's state-sponsored doping conspiracy.

Jacqui's rating: 

There are a lot of "wait, what?" moments in this doco. Cyclist Bryan Fogel decides to use a pro-grade sports doping program to cheat his way through one of the most difficult amateur races in the world - just to prove it can be done. So he gets in touch with the Director of Russia's anti-doping lab, Grigory Rodchenkov, who cheerfully agrees to guide him through the process - on camera. And while he's at it Rochenkov freely admits to widespread corruption and cheating in Russia's Olympic program - on camera. And then the story goes public and Rodchenkov flees Russia in fear of his life - to Bryan Fogel's house. Things escalate from there in this stranger-than-fiction look into perhaps the outrageous sports scandals of our time - Jacqui Dent

13th

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Tara's take: A harrowing but important look at racial discrimination and modern-day slavery in the US.

Tara's rating:

It’s easy to claim that all lives matter, but the Oscar-nominated 13th – helmed by Selma director Ava DuVernay – shows that in the US legal system, the dice remain loaded for black Americans. DuVernay argues that, after the Civil War saw slavery abolished, the African-American community simply moved from one set of chains to another. The plantations may be long gone, but America’s for-profit prisons, war on crime and drugs, and continued oppression of minorities has seen incarceration rates skyrocket, and allowed a still-legal form of slavery in prison labour.  13th is frequently uncomfortable, but in the current worldwide political climate, should be required viewing - Tara Donnelly 

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The best kids movies on Netflix

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How to Train Your Dragon

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Jacqui's gist: Toothless the Dragon is the real star of this movie. And I suppose the humans are okay too.

Jacqui's rating:

There's usually something kind of corny about dragons. I've never much liked them but I love the dragons in this movie. The animators of How to Train Your Dragon have brought a lifelike authenticity to these fantasy creatures that is rarely seen in film. You will come out of this movie in love with Toothless the Dragon and inspired by his Viking friends. Beyond the captivating creatures, How to Train Your Dragon is a funny and thoughtful story about learning to see a friend where others see a fearsome beast - Jacqui Dent 

Hotel Transylvania 2

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Anula's notions: It’s an Adam Sandler movie, except everyone is cartoon monsters.

Anula's Rating:

WARNING: Hotel Transylvania 1 spoilers.

The sequel follows on after Mavis and Johnny’s wedding. When they have their first human/vampire child named Dennis, Drac struggles with the idea that his grandchild might not be a vampire! Cue the usual tomfoolery with Drac and the gang as they try to help Dennis find his fangs.

Adam Sandler’s crew have stumbled into their winning format with this franchise. Wrought with their trademark silliness, Hotel Transylvania is every Adam Sandler movie repackaged as a child-friendly romp. Plus, there’s something about Steve Buscemi as an exhausted werewolf that is eerily accurate - Anula Keenan

Matilda

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Jacqui's gist: One of the greatest Roald Dahl movie adaptations ever made, Matilda may be twenty years old now but it hasn't aged a day.

Jacqui's rating:

Matilda is a girl-genius born into a family that doesn't value education. Neglected and forgotten, she finds her way to her local public library and after reading every book on every shelf, develops the power of telekinesis and gets her own back on her bad parents and worse primary school principle. This is a movie every child needs in their life. It has everything good kids' movies should. A kick-arse six-year-old. A delightfully wicked villain. Danny DeVito. Cake. Newts. And mischief - Jacqui Dent 

Dangal

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Jacqui's gist: The inspiring true story of a father in a small Indian village who bucks tradition by training his two daughters to become world class wrestlers.

Jacqui's rating:

When Mahavir Singh has to give up his dream of becoming an Olympic wrestler, he hopes one day his children will achieve it in his stead. There's only one problem - all his children are girls. But when his two eldest Geeta and Babita show a talent for beating up local village boys, Mahavir realises his mistake in discounting them and pushes them to follow in his footsteps. At two hours and forty minutes, Dangal is a little long, but it still manages to be gripping and full of pathos. Break it up into two sittings, watch with the whole family and be ready to cheer for the girls - Jacqui Dent

Still can't find anything to watch? Check out the best movies on Amazon Prime Video Australia instead.

When you have on-demand access to thousands of new release and classic movies from every genre, narrowing down your choices for that perfect Friday night flick isn’t always easy. Netflix offers incredible entertainment value for your dollars, but almost too many options if you’re a ‘can’t decide’ type.

Luckily, you don't have to spend all evening pouring through every title in Netflix's library. Here are some of our favourite picks from Netflix's Aussie catalogue - if you're looking for comedy, family fun or a high-stakes thriller, we've got something for you. 

The best movies on Netflix Australia

• The best comedy on Netflix Australia
• The best drama on Netflix Australia
• The best horror on Netflix Australia
• The best documentaries on Netflix Australia
• The best kids movies on Netflix Australia

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The best comedy on Netflix

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Scott Pilgrim vs the World

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Alex's analysis: A quirky action rom-com with endless amounts of visual flair.

Alex's rating:

Scott Pilgrim vs the World is your typical romance story: boy meets girl, boy falls in love, boy has to defeat girl's seven evil exes. What could be more relatable? Based on the comics by Bryan Lee O'Malley and directed by Edgar Wright of Shaun of the Dead fame, Scott Pilgrim vs the World is a laugh-out-loud-funny visual extravaganza packed with geeky references. But for all the pomp, Scott Pilgrim handles a simple theme well: everyone has baggage - Alex Choros

Easy A

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Alex's analysis: Easy A gets an easy A. 

Rating:

When 17-year-old Olive Penderghast (played by Emma Stone) pretends to sleep with her bullied gay bestie Brandon, her otherwise stellar reputation is ruined. While Brandon is accepted as straight stud, Olive is branded by her schoolmates as a skank and embraces this identity to help other misfits. In exchange for gift cards, of course. Inspired by The Scarlet Letter - which is frequently referenced in the film - Easy A is witty teen comedy that also manages to provide commentary around the double standards associated with gender and sex - Alex Choros

I'm Not An Easy Man

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Alex's analysis: Social satire masquerading as a rom-com that makes for an entertaining yet poignant watch. 

Alex's rating:

After chauvinist marketing man Damian bashes his head on a street sign, he comes to in a matriarchal society where men are treated as less-than-equal. I'm Am Not An Easy Man leans into its gender-reversal-Freaky-Friday-esque premise so hard that it's about as subtle as a sledgehammer, but manages to effectively combine laugh-out-loud comedy with scathing criticism of how society treats women. While far from perfect, I'm Not An Easy Man is an important watch, especially in the #MeToo era - Alex Choros

Mean Girls

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Jacqui's gist: Fourteen years on, Tina Fey's teen comedy has become "one of the most referenced cultural products of all time online," according to The Guardian. That is so fetch.

Jacqui's rating:  

If you're one of the millions of people who love Mean Girls, you don't need me to tell you why it's awesome. Just know that you can relive the magic now on Netflix. If you haven't seen Mean Girls yet, you need to get onto that. It's a ridiculously smart and funny exploration of toxic social cliques in high school. More importantly, it will help you understand all the memes and GIFs that have been going over your head for years. This is unapologetically a movie for teen girls but if you're not one, still watch it, because who says teen girl issues aren't important? - Jacqui Dent

To All the Boys I've Loved Before

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Jacqui's gist: High school wall flower Lara Jean's life is turned upside down when all her secret crushes suddenly become not so secret.

Jacqui's rating: 

I'm going to put all my cards on the table: this is an adorable movie. It has an adorable main character, she has adorable crushes on adorable boys and the whole story is just so cute. In a good way.

Here's what happens: Lara Jean is a shy and quiet type of girl who has written love letters to every boy she's ever liked. And then not sent them. She keeps them safe and sound in a box under her bed. Until - shock and horror - someone mails them. And her life gets complicated. To All the Boys I've Loved Before is a surprisingly original feel good triumph to watch in your pyjamas with snacks and squees at the ready - Jacqui Dent

Monty Python and the Holy Grail

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Jacqui's gist: Over forty years later, this absurdist comedy classic is still one of the funniest movies you can find anywhere.

Jacqui's rating:

If you haven't seen any Monty Python yet, now's your chance. An absolute trove of the work that inspired generations of comedians is now on Netflix and it's as side-splittingly hilarious today as it was four decades ago. Several titles in the Monty Python collection could arguably claim the crown of 'best' but among them Holy Grail is one of the strongest contenders, and a great jumping-off point if you're new to Python. 

Monty Python and the Holy Grail is an intertwined series of comedy sketches following the mythical King Arthur's fight against killer rabbits, rude Frenchmen, three-headed knights obsessed with shrubberies and his own lack of a horse on his quest to find the Holy Grail. It's completely silly, often surreal and always absurd. It also happens to be a masterpiece - Jacqui Dent

Between Two Ferns: The Movie

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Anula's notions: A mockumentary about Zach Galifinakis’s public access TV show trying to get picked up for prime time by a cashed up Will Ferrell.

Anula's Rating:

Based on the series of the same name, we follow Zach’s journey to *jazz hands* “become a star". When Ferrell approaches Zach with the chance to take his show to the big leagues, his crew and his two ferns embark on a road trip to perform a series of err… problematic interviews, with high-profile celebrities. 

For fans of the show, you can expect the trademark cringe worthy interviews and a surprisingly sweet story about following your dreams. Yep, some moments are laugh-out-loud while others are laughable - but that’s exactly what you’d want from a Between Two Ferns movie - Anula Keenan

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The best drama on Netflix

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Suffragette

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Jacqui's gist: A powerful reminder of the struggles and sacrifices that were made to win rights we now take for granted.

Jacqui's rating:

In 1912 London, working class mother Maud Watts joins the suffragettes, a group of female activists fighting what seems like an impossible battle for women's right to vote. Her story paints a powerful picture of the struggles women faced at work, at home and in the community, living in a society in which they had no political voice. It also brings home the unimaginable sacrifices women made in order to win their right to equality. An inspiring and moving story that you'll find hard to forget - Jacqui Dent

I, Tonya

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Jacqui's gist: The Tonya Harding skating scandal is one of those stories that would be unbelievable if it weren't true. 

Jacqui's rating:

In 1994 the American figure skater Tonya Harding's career ended in controversy when her ex-husband orchestrated an attack on her skating rival, Nancy Kerrigan. I, Tonya is the incredible true story of how that came to happen. Everything about this movie is surprising, from the humour to the heartbreak to the real details of the crime that shocked the world of sport. There was a lot of talk about this movie at Oscar time and it's easy to see why. I, Tonya is a movie that deserves all its hype - Jacqui Dent

Snowpiercer

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Anula's notions: If you've ever felt like you're just going round in circles, not getting anywhere just be happy you're not on this train.

Anula's rating:

This glaringly obvious representation of a class-based society plays out within a train, housing the world's last remaining inhabitants. Revolution brews from the downtrodden living in the final carriage and as the train circles the globe, the uprising plows through in an attempt to make it to the front. 

While the metaphors are as on the nose as they come, this film speaks volumes about classism and chaos, and does it with a reverence you can't help but appreciate - Anula Keenan

Pride

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Jacqui's gist: The hilarious and heart-warming story of an unlikely alliance that made history.

Jacqui's rating:

In 1984 the UK's conservative government, police force and press went to war against its coal miners on strike - earning the attention of a group of gay and lesbian activists who felt they too had been bullied by the same bunch. The gays teamed up with the miners, overcoming prejudice to forge an alliance to be reckoned with. You'll be cheering for Pride before the end- Jacqui Dent

Howl's Moving Castle

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Anula's notions: *incoherent sobbing*

Anula's rating:

Young 'plain' Sophie is working in a hat shop, when Howl - known wizard, and eater of beautiful girl's hearts - comes flying through the town. Sophie doesn't think she has anything to worry about, and worries even less when she becomes cursed to live in the body of an elderly woman. Old Sophie befriends Howl, and a fire demon named Calcifer, and becomes entangled in Howl's resistance against the king's war.

There are so many twists and turns, and if you have never seen it before you'll probably need to watch it twice. Director Miyazaki set out to convey the message that life is worth living, and it will get you there, while tearing your heart up, before piecing it gently back together. - Anula Keenan

Side Effects

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Jacqui’s gist: It may seem like your standard drama/thriller but Side Effects is far from ordinary.

Jacqui's rating:

When Emily Taylor becomes depressed following the release of her husband from prison, she turns to a new kind of prescription medication for relief. But that's about as much as I want to tell you about the plot of Side Effects, because the best part of this movie is the twists. There are several, they are shocking and you will not see them coming. That plus the excellent casting of Rooney Mara and Jude Law make this movie well worth a watch - Jacqui Dent

The King

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Jacqui's gist: A haunting retelling of Shakespeare's Henry V.

Jacqui's rating:

If you don't like Shakespeare, don't worry. Writers Joel Edgerton and David Michôd have stripped out the verse and replaced it with dialogue that is short, sharp and to the point. If you do like Shakespeare, don't worry. All your favourite themes and character arcs are still there, but even more profound thanks to some innovative twists on the Bard's classic storylines. If you don't know any Shakespeare, just watch it anyway because it's got great acting, stunning visuals and it's a damn good story - Jacqui Dent

La La Land

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Jacqui's gist: If you like romance or musicals, you'll likely like La La Land.

Jacqui's rating:

La La Land is a movie that harks back to the golden days of Hollywood. It's jazzy, it's swell. It's about a guy and a girl. They don't get on, and then they do ... you get the picture. This is a really nice romance. And a love song to LA, city of dreamers where the starry-eyed go to make it big. It's got a beautiful, strangely haunting soundtrack and is generally a lovely way to spend a Saturday night - Jacqui Dent

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The best horror on Netflix

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Us

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Alex's analysis: A smart, poignant horror that still delivers on scares  

Alex's rating:

Us is one of those movies where it's best to go in knowing as little as possible and just enjoy the ride, but in short, it follows a woman - Adelaide Wilson - and her family as they pursued by their doppelgangers. Directed by Jordan Peele of Get Out fame, Us is a surreal, strange film that's so much more than just a horror - Alex Choros

Annihilation

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Alex's analysis:  A super smart horror, perhaps best described as Alien meets a bad trip.

Alex's rating:

After a small meteor collides with earth, a crack team of military scientists are tasked with investigating the quarantined impact site. As they explore "The Shimmer", the team encounter mutated wild life, twisted human remains, and find they can longer remember extended stretches of time. It only gets weirder from there. While Annihilation can be enjoyed purely as a sci-fi tinged horror, it also succeeds as a cerebral film: when it's not grossing you out with gore, Annihilation asks big questions about what it means to be human. It sure is a wild ride - Alex Choros

The Invitation

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Alex's analysis: If you're after slow, menacing horror, put The Invitation on the top of your list. 

Alex's rating:

We've all been to an awkward party, but The Invitation is the awkward dinner party to end all awkward dinner parties. Protagonist Will is invited to a soiree hosted by his ex-wife and her new partner at his old home, which is unpleasant enough. To make matters worse, it turns out the new couple is part of support group that sounds more than a little cult like and they're very keen on sharing the love. It's a tense, uncomfortable slow burn - Alex Choros

Cam

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Alex's analysis: A more surreal, almost Lynchian take on the whole Black Mirror "what if technology, but too much" trope.

Alex's rating:

Alice - aka Lola_Lola - is a moderately successful camgirl (Google it, just not at work) who's looking to make the big leagues. But as she works her way up the "most watched" list, she finds herself locked out of her account, replaced by a digital double. Channelling the likes of Hitchcock and Lynch, Cam is nuanced and surprisingly tasteful for a movie that's ostensibly about taking your clothes off online, and explores themes that stretch far beyond what you might expect. Well worth the watch - Alex Choros

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The best docos on Netflix

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The Great Hack

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Jacqui's gist: A must-see for anyone who uses the internet. So, for everyone.

Jacqui's rating:

If you've ever wondering whether online privacy matters, watch The Great Hack and you'll know. This eye-opening documentary delves into the Cambridge Analytica scandal, and the ways our online data can now be used to influence election results, with curated ads targeting individual voters to change their world-view - Jacqui Dent

Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened

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Alex's analysis: The story behind 2017's best schadenfreude moment.

Alex's rating:

Fyre was meant to be a luxury music festival, the next big thing. Instead, it turned into an influencer-filled Lord of the Flies. Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened tells the story of why punters who paid thousands of dollars to attend a luxury event ended up staying in rescue tents and eating pre-packaged sandwiches. A tense, gripping look at how it all went so wrong - Alex Choros

One of Us

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Jacqui's gist: This heartbreaking documentary follows the lives of three individuals as they try to leave the Hasidic Jewish community.

Jacqui's rating:

In the heart of modern Brooklyn lives an ultra-conservative Jewish community. They isolate themselves from the secular world by speaking mostly Yiddish, wearing the clothes of their European ancestors and ostracising any community members who try to leave. One of Us follows the stories of three of those people. Cut off from friends and family and struggling to survive, this documentary exposes the trials and resilience of three individuals who have been pushed by abuse and trauma to explore the world outside - Jacqui Dent

Amy

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Joe's judgement: Heartbreaking and genuinely surprising, Amy is a must-see even if you have never been interested in her music.

Joe's rating:

Charting the life of musician Amy Winehouse from the very beginning of her career to her untimely death, this documentary shines a light on the details of her short time in the spotlight, her relationships and the way she struggled with her sudden rise in popularity. Director Asif Kapadia digs up fascinating archival footage and tells her story through interviews with her closest friends. I thought I knew the Amy Winehouse before I watched this and was staggered by the tragedy of the circumstances leading to her passing away. It also had me singing her songs in the shower for weeks after - Joe Hanlon 

Icarus

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Jacqui's gist: Amateur cyclist Bryan Fogel stumbles into the heart of Russia's state-sponsored doping conspiracy.

Jacqui's rating: 

There are a lot of "wait, what?" moments in this doco. Cyclist Bryan Fogel decides to use a pro-grade sports doping program to cheat his way through one of the most difficult amateur races in the world - just to prove it can be done. So he gets in touch with the Director of Russia's anti-doping lab, Grigory Rodchenkov, who cheerfully agrees to guide him through the process - on camera. And while he's at it Rochenkov freely admits to widespread corruption and cheating in Russia's Olympic program - on camera. And then the story goes public and Rodchenkov flees Russia in fear of his life - to Bryan Fogel's house. Things escalate from there in this stranger-than-fiction look into perhaps the outrageous sports scandals of our time - Jacqui Dent

13th

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Tara's take: A harrowing but important look at racial discrimination and modern-day slavery in the US.

Tara's rating:

It’s easy to claim that all lives matter, but the Oscar-nominated 13th – helmed by Selma director Ava DuVernay – shows that in the US legal system, the dice remain loaded for black Americans. DuVernay argues that, after the Civil War saw slavery abolished, the African-American community simply moved from one set of chains to another. The plantations may be long gone, but America’s for-profit prisons, war on crime and drugs, and continued oppression of minorities has seen incarceration rates skyrocket, and allowed a still-legal form of slavery in prison labour.  13th is frequently uncomfortable, but in the current worldwide political climate, should be required viewing - Tara Donnelly 

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The best kids movies on Netflix

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How to Train Your Dragon

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Jacqui's gist: Toothless the Dragon is the real star of this movie. And I suppose the humans are okay too.

Jacqui's rating:

There's usually something kind of corny about dragons. I've never much liked them but I love the dragons in this movie. The animators of How to Train Your Dragon have brought a lifelike authenticity to these fantasy creatures that is rarely seen in film. You will come out of this movie in love with Toothless the Dragon and inspired by his Viking friends. Beyond the captivating creatures, How to Train Your Dragon is a funny and thoughtful story about learning to see a friend where others see a fearsome beast - Jacqui Dent 

Hotel Transylvania 2

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Anula's notions: It’s an Adam Sandler movie, except everyone is cartoon monsters.

Anula's Rating:

WARNING: Hotel Transylvania 1 spoilers.

The sequel follows on after Mavis and Johnny’s wedding. When they have their first human/vampire child named Dennis, Drac struggles with the idea that his grandchild might not be a vampire! Cue the usual tomfoolery with Drac and the gang as they try to help Dennis find his fangs.

Adam Sandler’s crew have stumbled into their winning format with this franchise. Wrought with their trademark silliness, Hotel Transylvania is every Adam Sandler movie repackaged as a child-friendly romp. Plus, there’s something about Steve Buscemi as an exhausted werewolf that is eerily accurate - Anula Keenan

Matilda

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Jacqui's gist: One of the greatest Roald Dahl movie adaptations ever made, Matilda may be twenty years old now but it hasn't aged a day.

Jacqui's rating:

Matilda is a girl-genius born into a family that doesn't value education. Neglected and forgotten, she finds her way to her local public library and after reading every book on every shelf, develops the power of telekinesis and gets her own back on her bad parents and worse primary school principle. This is a movie every child needs in their life. It has everything good kids' movies should. A kick-arse six-year-old. A delightfully wicked villain. Danny DeVito. Cake. Newts. And mischief - Jacqui Dent 

Dangal

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Jacqui's gist: The inspiring true story of a father in a small Indian village who bucks tradition by training his two daughters to become world class wrestlers.

Jacqui's rating:

When Mahavir Singh has to give up his dream of becoming an Olympic wrestler, he hopes one day his children will achieve it in his stead. There's only one problem - all his children are girls. But when his two eldest Geeta and Babita show a talent for beating up local village boys, Mahavir realises his mistake in discounting them and pushes them to follow in his footsteps. At two hours and forty minutes, Dangal is a little long, but it still manages to be gripping and full of pathos. Break it up into two sittings, watch with the whole family and be ready to cheer for the girls - Jacqui Dent

Still can't find anything to watch? Check out the best movies on Amazon Prime Video Australia instead.