Netflix has come a long way from being a simple company renting movies for the weekend. We are now living in the age of being able to stream our favorite television series and movies from the palm of our hands. Here are 10 of the best Netflix original series.
Narcos is a dark and mysterious show that follows the story of drug kingpin Pablo Escobar and how he rose to power distributing cocaine throughout Guadalajara, Mexico. After his defeat, the show focuses on the DEA as they try to stop the Cali Cartel. Wagner Moura who plays Pablo Escobar does a phenomenal job portraying the “King of Cocaine.” Viewers are drawn to his character because he is evil, but at the same time charismatic, and he has authoritative power over many people. What makes this series so interesting is that it is also based on the reality of what goes on in the world of drug dealing.
Based on the Marvel comics, Daredevil follows the story of Matt Murdock, a lawyer who was blinded as a kid and lost his father to gang violence. He now uses his heightened other senses to become a crime-fighting hero. Throughout the series, he faces many villains such as Wilson Fisk, and later works with the Punisher and his ex-girlfriend Elektra. Fans love the Daredevil series, especially during season 1, because the show closely follows the comics and is more realistic than other tv shows or films in the MCU. The series is very simple and follows a basic storyline structure, where Matt Murdock is a lawyer by day and fights crime by night.
The punisher is a classic spinoff of Daredevil and follows Frank Castle as he is seeking revenge on the people responsible for the death of his family. However, he later finds out there is a larger conspiracy that goes far beyond what happened to him and everyone he loves. People are drawn to The Punisher because he’s introduced as a normal guy who doesn’t have to rely on powers to fight crime but instead uses his military training and talents. He’s also depicted as an anti-hero who is slightly more relatable than the archetypical superhero. If anything, he’s almost like a different version of Batman, accepts he seeks vengeance instead of justice. He is not Daredevil, and he has demons that he must face, which sometimes causes him to make the wrong choices that are not the wisest.
If we are on the topic of hero’s and seeking justice, the show Black Lightning has moved into the world. What is so special about this series is that usually, most superheroes are portrayed as people of non-ethnic descent. Black Lightning decided to defy this idea by portraying African Americans with superpowers who have just as many skills as all the other Marvel superheroes.
Based on the Marvel comics character, this series follows Jessica Jones who becomes a private investigator after escaping her mind-controlling abuser, Kilgrave. Throughout all the seasons, Jessica faces new hurdles that define her character, as well as new villains, including Karl Malus and Gregory Sallinger. You could say she’s a younger version of Black Widow.
If the Avengers or Justice League aren’t available to save the day, it’s the Defenders who answer the call to action. This is a mini-series that follows Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist, who join each other to create a kind of ragtag fighting group. These four team up to fight Alexandra Reid, the leader of an evil organization called the Hand. Fans love the idea of a good crossover, but what makes the Defenders stand out is its grittier but more realistic version of the Disney Marvel Comic Universe.
It did not take long for this Netflix series to be ranked as number 1 in the United States. The Squid Game is a Korean fantasy/action drama that forces contestants to fight for their lives. What makes the audience love this show so much is that for one, Americans have a fascination with culture shows that have the same acting characteristics as American dramas and the plots are genius on how playing simple childhood games like red light-green light can kill you with one false step. So, when you walk outside and see kids playing their version of red light-green light, just know they are following the Squid Game idea.
Ever been a fan of those reality drama shows where it shows women arguing and trying to fight each other for entertainment? Well, Orange Is the New Black is something like that, only in this series, there is no room for petty arguing over drama up in prison, especially a women’s prison. What makes Orange Is the New Black so popular is that it is praised for humanizing prisoners and for its depiction of race, sexuality, gender, and body types. The first season received positive reviews from critics. I guess it is a way of trying to let the audience know what the legal system is so harsh, it turns simple kindhearted individuals into ruthless aggressive convicts.
The Haunting of Hill House is an adapted version from one of author Shirley Jackson’s novels. This series follows the Crain family, who returns to their childhood home called The Hill House. They have no choice but to relive their past and the paranormal activities that happened in the house. The Haunting of Hill House is a standout show because it is not what your typical horror story shows. Even though the genre is horror, a variety of serious topics are shown, including grief, mental illness, and how to overcome that trauma. The series is quite poetic with a lot of rich subtexts. For example, each of the Crain siblings represents the five stages of grief.
Netflix’s most popular show without a doubt is Stranger Things. This show follows a group of kids who befriend a girl with superpowers named Eleven. Throughout the series, they face paranormal and supernatural encounters all while trying to live a normal life as kids. The biggest reason why Stranger Things is so popular for people of all ages is because of the silly 80s nostalgia. This show references a lot of 80s trends including fashion and hanging out in the mall with friends. The series is also terrifying yet hilarious, for example, when Dustin and Suzie break into song while the rest of the gang gets chased by a gigantic monster. That right there is classic and cheesy movie art.
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