As Midterms wind down and students are given a brief reprieve from writing essays and studying for exams, I can think of no better time to sit back, relax, and retreat to the Black Hole that is Netflix. With the release of both new, original content and old classics, there is enough content for any mood you might be in; however, there’s also plenty of content not worth your time. While I could write an entire novel on the hours of prime content Netflix has for its viewers, I will instead focus on what to binge and what to skip from Netflix’s newly released shows and movies.
BINGE
Squid Game
I know this isn’t niche, and you have probably seen the countless memes posted all over Twitter and Instagram, but I can confidently say that the show is worth all of the hype. The best explanation of the hit Korean show would be if Black Mirror and Parasite had a baby. Squid Game is impossible not to binge, and the endless theories coming from the show leave you talking with friends about it for hours afterward. If you haven’t started it already, it is a must.
Seinfeld
While this is not a new show by any means, Seinfeld’s debut on the big streaming service is a huge deal. If you haven’t had the pleasure of watching what I consider the best sitcom of all time, there is no better time than the present. If you were one of the many upset by the departure of Friends from Netflix, Jerry Seinfeld and his group of friends may just make up for it.
SKIP
The Guilty
I know this might come as a surprise to many. Heading into the movie, I felt optimistic and full of excitement; after all, The Guilty includes two things I love in a movie: drama and Jake Gyllenhaal. However, once I began The Guilty, I found myself waiting for an arc that just never seems to come. The movie feels like a cheap attempt at incorporating many issues our present-day society faces, such as the impact of climate change and policing in the U.S. Overall, myself and my father (who fell asleep within the first 20 minutes) were unimpressed with the movie. I would definitely say it’s worth skipping.
The DUFF
Just from reading the synopsis, it is evident that The Duff should have started (and ended) when it was first pitched. But, unfortunately for all of us, the 2015 rom-com has just hit Netflix and is occupying the #8 spot for the most popular movie on the streaming service, as of Oct. 12. The Duff, which stands for Designated Ugly Fat Friend, is a movie that stands for everything wrong with Hollywood. While the movie tries to spread an inspiring message that it doesn’t matter what you look like, and that you can still get the super hot guy (only after you enlist him to make you conventionally hot, of course), it comes off as tone-deaf and overall, cringey. In my opinion, if you’re in the mood for a good rom-com, stick to Nancy Meyers’ classics, some of which can be found on Netflix right now.
I hope that this article will help you navigate Netflix and waste no time on boring or down-right problematic shows and movies. And, most importantly, if watching a good movie or television show is your version of self-love, make time for it!