Dark

Light

netflix originals

A screenshot of the gray man shows chris evans and several other actors staring off into the distance

‘The Gray Man’ Shows Netflix’s Love Affair With Mediocre Movies

Alina Edwards, Wellesley College

The streaming giant’s recent release is a frustratingly dull action film, starring two actors who have given much, much better performances.…

August 13, 2022

the kissing booth snapshot from the teen rom coms movie

Teen Rom-Coms Dominate Netflix With Their Formulaic Plotlines

Meredith Granmayeh, Chapman University

Once known for dramas, the platform's originals now mostly consist of films that focus on teenage romance.…

April 4, 2022

An illustration for the TV show, Stranger Things

‘Stranger Things’ Will Venture Back Into the Upside Down in May

Aly Walters, Michigan State University

With Season 4 finally given a release date, it’s time for an overview of all the great moments leading up to the long-awaited season.…

March 16, 2022

Illustration of characters from Red Notice

‘Red Notice’ Is Filled With Twists and Turns That Will Leave You Shocked

Re’nesia Mills, University of Tampa

In this Netflix Original, Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds and Gal Gadot share the screen in an action-packed comedic film with an unexpected ending.…

January 16, 2022

A still from Netflix original "Big Mouth," featuring two characters singing together.

‘Big Mouth’ Season 5 Bites Off More Than It Can Chew

Virginia Laurie, Washington and Lee University

The raunchy and controversial animated Netflix series prioritizes worldbuilding in preparation for a new spinoff rather than its own characters' development.…

November 30, 2021

In an article about upcoming Netflix originals a screenshot from the show Lost in Space

What Netflix Originals Can Viewers Look Forward to in December 2021?

Tori Walz, Eastern Michigan University

Searching for something new to watch? Here’s a list of upcoming shows and movies coming out next month that you should check out.…

November 17, 2021

An illustration depicts the two main couples from The Last Letter From Your Lover, one cast in yellow and dressed in 60s French attire and the other cast in green with modern dress.

‘The Last Letter From Your Lover’ Has All the Makings of a Successful Romance — So Why Does it Feel Like it Missed the Mark?

Mariam Nasief, Columbia University

Jojo Moyes' most recent novel-to-film adaptation is not as perfect or heart-wrenching as its predecessor, 'Me Before You.'…

August 13, 2021

Screenshot from Work It

Netflix’s ‘Work It’ Realistically Portrays High School’s Stressful Culture

Kaitlyn Nuebel, University of Pittsburgh

The platform's new coming-of-age movie encourages young people to not get too caught up in the college admissions process.…

October 3, 2020

I'm Thinking of Ending Things

‘I’m Thinking of Ending Things’ Evokes the Anxiety of Consciousness

Anna Swenson, Butler University

Charlie Kaufman's latest film asks, what makes a person?…

September 29, 2020

A screen capture of Indian Matchmaking, depicting two individuals on a date

‘Indian Matchmaking’ Gives a Rare Contemporary Portrait of Arranged Marriage

Srishti Tyagi, Cornell University

The Netflix original series illuminates the nuances of arranged marriage in the modern era, as well as the persistent shortcomings of Indian society.…

August 5, 2020

Contestants climbing on the furniture because the floor is lava.

The Netflix Show ‘Floor Is Lava’ Will Reignite Your Childhood Imagination

Chris Dang, University of California, Riverside

In Netflix's new game show, you can win $10,000 by completing the obstacle course. Just don't fall into the lava!…

July 8, 2020

Let It Snow

Netflix’s ‘Let It Snow’ Is a Cheesy Yet Charming Take on Holiday Movies

Meredith Day, Davidson College

While it hews close to a lot of Christmas movie tropes, the film subverts just enough of its conventions to create something compelling.…

November 21, 2019

Katherine Ryan

Katherine Ryan’s ‘Glitter Room’ Is an Honest, Hilarious Take on Single Parenting

Charlotte Susser, University of Chicago

From mom fights to British children to Anna Kendrick, the comedian has a joke for every situation.…

August 26, 2019

"Frankenstein's Monster's Monster, Frankenstein"

In ‘Frankenstein’s Monster’s Monster, Frankenstein’ Prepare to See David Harbour Like Never Before

Carli Moses, Union University

In this thespian spoof, the actor takes on an unusual comedic role.…

August 16, 2019

typewriter

‘Typewriter’ Proves Horror Doesn’t Always Have To Be Traumatizing

Abby Webb, Rice University

It might not be the scariest show on Netflix, but here’s why the horror series should be on your watchlist anyway.…

August 12, 2019

Netflix’s “You”

What We Know About Season 2 of Netflix’s ‘You’

Charlotte Susser, University of Chicago

It gives us plenty to theorize about, for sure. Spoilers ahead.…

August 12, 2019

Secret Obsession

‘Secret Obsession’ Is a Less-Than-Thrilling Psychological Thriller

Carli Moses, Union University

It’s just not a good movie, regardless of the genre you place it in.…

August 5, 2019

The Great Hack

‘The Great Hack’ Exposes the Dark Side of the Digital Age

Abby Webb, Rice University

We like to believe we're immune to propaganda, but in the age of social media, it can be a lot more insidious than we expect.…

August 2, 2019

right now

‘Right Now’ and the Ambivalence of the Aziz Ansari Allegation

Carli Moses, Union University

It's hard to choose a side when the comedian himself won't take a stand.…

July 28, 2019

Stranger Things

Why Russians Should Not Have Been the Villain in ‘Stranger Things 3’

Caleb Dukes, Rice University

We've reached the death of the show’s subtle Cold War commentary.…

July 22, 2019

Exhibit A

“Exhibit A”: When Grisly Crime Meets Questionable Science

Carli Moses, Union University

Sometimes, the evidence isn't what it seems.…

July 19, 2019

murder mystery

‘Murder Mystery’ is a Cliché Romp Through Paradise

Carli Moses, Union University

The Netflix original is predictable, in all the wrong ways.…

June 30, 2019

‘How It Ends’ Delivers Little More Than Clichés and Regressive Stereotypes

Vanessa Chen, Franklin and Marshall College

No need to wonder how it ends — it sucks.…

July 19, 2018

Netflix

What’s Coming to Netflix in February 2018

Pat Servin, Davenport University

Worry no more, this list has all the upcoming Netflix series titles for any Friday night gathering.…

February 6, 2018

Netflix’s ‘GLOW’ Is Just the Right Amount of Outdated

Abbey Slattery, Northwestern College

The series, which follows a band of wayward female wrestlers, seamlessly blends stereotype subversion into its ’80s training montages.…

July 18, 2017

Netflix’s ‘Dear White People’ Flops, but Admirably So

Sierra Emilaire, Southern Adventist University

Does the show provide representation? Yes. Does it do much beyond that? Not really.…

June 14, 2017