Netflix can be hit and miss when it comes to available movies. While there are always a few classics you can rely on, what you think might be a hidden gem often turns out to be an underfunded and poorly conceived film disaster; here’s a list of recommended documentaries for when you don’t want to take the risk. Netflix documentaries work for every occasion, from a movie to watch before you head to bed to a date night title you and your partner can agree on. Grab your popcorn and read on for tonight’s entertainment options.
This Netflix documentary covers Congressional races with an emphasis on everyday women who are pushing their way into politics without taking corrupt money or coming from affluent backgrounds themselves. These women include current Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Ortez who was a bartender from the Bronx, a coal miner’s daughter in West Virginia, a mother from Nevada, and a nurse from Missouri as they tackle prolific incumbents. Follow what motivates these women to try and reshape American politics and vote for the underdog the whole way through. The documentary glimpses into the corruption of modern day politics while still providing hope for a different future.
This 2011 film tackles the media’s role in shaping how young women view their bodies, beauty, and sexuality. In a gendered look at what men and women are respectively taught to value, Miss Representation shows that boys are encouraged to be dominant and aggressive while girls are steered away from viewing themselves as leaders. The heartfelt though troubling flick fights stereotypes and attempts to redefine humans without gendered connotations.
After Porn Ends follows several porn stars after they have left the industry and pursued different passions. The film explores the stigma that follows these individuals, their thoughts on the industry itself, and whether they can successfully live a normal life. While this film isn’t remarkably made, the subject matter makes for a riveting watching experience. It also succeeds in that it doesn’t attempt to condemn or condone the industry, but instead let’s its players speak for themselves. If you happen to love this documentary, there are two more in the series following different groups of former big names in porn.
Fyre is a documentary that explores the 2017 Fyre Festival disaster. If you were following the media hype surrounding the festival and later scandal when the entire thing turned out to be a scam, you’ll love digging into the juicy details. This film does a great job of explaining what what wrong piece by piece and has stunning footage of the whole process. By the end of it, you’ll be equal parts incensed and shocked at how so many people were horrifically mislead. This is a lighter pick that will keep you entertained without having to think too hard.
This is a great pick if you’re looking to scare yourself a little. More thorough than your typical documentary, this episodic series explored Ted Bundy’s life and crimes in shocking detail. The film is narrated by Bundy himself from more than 100 hours of death row interviews. Bundy analyzes his own life and killings in a deeply disturbing look into the headspace of one of America’s most prolific killers.
This Netflix documentary won the 2019 Oscar in the best documentary short category for it’s touching look at a group of women in India who are fighting the cultural stigma against menstruation. On the more educational side, this film is short and impactful for an empowered girl’s night in.
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