5 Must-Watch Hidden Gems Currently On Netflix (June 2020)

The sun has gone down. You've settled into your couch after a strenuous day of hard labor wherever it is you toil away your days. All you care about is the bucket of ice cream parked in your lap and the tantalizing backlight of the television screen in front of you illuminating the chasmic depths of Netflix's extensive library of content. You begin scrolling, furiously searching for the perfect motion picture to put your mind at ease and help you escape the world for a couple precious hours. You continue to scroll. Nothing seems to be distinguishing itself from the rest of the pack. Perhaps you've already watched everything that was recommended to you. You feel lost in a sea of possibilities, a sailor without a compass, unsure of what direction to go or avenue to explore. After this futile charade persists for 20 minutes, you ultimately give up hope and settle on watching The Office for the 247th time. 

We've all been there. It's a problem many of us are intimately familiar with. A decidedly first world problem, to be sure, but one that can make selecting something to stream a thoroughly frustrating endeavor.

That's why I, your friendly neighborhood film blogger, have come to save the day for all of you out there who may be struggling to decide what to watch. I have compiled a list of 5 titles that are currently streaming on Netflix at the time of me writing this. These are not exactly mainstream Hollywood blockbusters or films that swept the awards circuit. These are what I like to call "hidden gems", movies you may not even realize exist, but that you should undoubtedly invest a couple hours to experience.

Slow West (2015)

It's rare that a film can successfully be both darkly funny and devastatingly tragic. One is often sacrificed to accommodate the other, but in the case of John Maclean's wonderful directorial debut, Slow West, neither its sharp ironic tongue nor its moving emotional undercurrents have been discounted in the slightest. An unconventional Western that seems to care more about the overall vibe it exudes through its gorgeous visuals and brooding sensibilities than about the actual events of the plot, it's a film that feels like a fever dream. Its introspective, almost serene mood is punctuated by moments of impactful violence that is not gratuitous or desensitized, but palpably affecting. With terrific performances from Kodi Smit-McPhee and Michael Fassbender, Slow West is a delightful little film that clocks in at just under 90 minutes. For my comprehensive thoughts on the movie, check out my full review.

Enemy (2013) 

Denis Villeneuve has become one of the film industry's most illustrious directors. From caustic thrillers like Prisoners (2013) and Sicario (2015) to thought-provoking sci-fi affairs like Arrival (2016) and Blade Runner 2049 (2017), Villeneuve has proven his artistic chops time and again, and showcased his unique ability to make ruminative, thematically rich films that are also extremely watchable. One of his lesser-known projects is the mind-bending puzzler Enemy, but its lack of fanfare does not make it any less worthy of a watch. The film is an ethereal exploration of the human subconscious and a really effective psychological thriller to boot. You may be scratching your head once the credits roll, but reflecting back on the film and its messages and trying to piece it all together is a thoroughly rewarding exploit.  

The Rover (2014) 

If the current state of the world has you craving an escape from reality, consider jumping into the grueling Australian hellscape of The Rover, a post-apocalyptic thriller set in a world ravaged by a ruinous economic collapse. The film was written and directed by well-known Australian filmmaker David Michôd. It's an exceptionally minimalist story that follows a destitute man's quest to track down the gang that stole his only remaining possession: his car. The real strengths of the film, however, lie not in the inner workings of its plot, but in Guy Pearce and Robert Pattinson's fantastic central performances and Michôd's unflinching portrayal of a desolate, crime-ridden society that has crossed into utter lawlessness and mayhem. 

The Guest (2014) 

For those who know English actor Dan Stevens for his appearance on the British melodrama series Downton Abbey, his ferocious turn as the mysterious American war veteran David in The Guest will be quite shocking. Adam Wingard's sizzling dramatic thriller is a real treat for suspense-junkies looking for their next thrill ride. It's a stylish film that pays homage to classic '80s slashers with its synth-heavy score and patient, intrigue-laden buildup, but also occasionally explodes in bouts of searing violence and action. For fans of over-the-top action thrillers with just a splash of old-school horror, The Guest is definitely worth a watch. 

It Comes at Night (2017) 

Yet another somber post-apocalyptic picture on the list, It Comes at Night is one of the most blistering visions of the future that I've encountered in recent years. On the surface, it's a zombie horror film, but in reality, it's much, much more than that. Writer-director Trey Edward Shults is more concerned with the unflinching slow-burn of the film's tension-filled narrative than with generic chills and thrills, and there is an incisive emotional through-line that helps make the harrowing viewing experience especially impactful. The film is buoyed by exceptional performances from its cast, which is spearheaded by a grizzled Joel Edgerton. Given that it centers around a world that has experienced a pandemic of a highly contagious virus, it may hit a little too close to home right now for some. But as a piece of artful genre filmmaking, it's tremendously effective. 

Well, there you have it, folks. I just gift-wrapped you 5 really awesome movies to watch the next time you unwind with a little Netflix. And it's not even Christmas. Make sure to subscribe to the blog for more content like this, as well as proper film reviews. New articles post every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday!