Want something new to binge? Out of touch with what’s popular? Need something to bond with your colleagues over? Here are the shows that are trending on Netflix right now.
Russian Doll
TV comedy – MA 15+ – 1 season, 8 episodes – 2019
Cast: Natasha Lyonne, Charlie Barnett, Yul Vazquez
Synopsis: Nadia keeps dying and reliving her 36th birthday party. She’s trapped in a surreal time loop — and staring down the barrel of her own mortality.
Verdict: 3/5 cockroaches.
If you love shows that are like puzzles, this one’s for you. Natasha Lyonne and her thick New York accent navigate multiple timelines of one night. She tries to figure out what the hell is happening to her and why.
The Umbrella Academy
TV show based on comics – MA 15+ – 1 seasons, 10 episodes – 2019
Cast: Ellen Page, Tom Hopper, David Castañeda
Synopsis: Reunited by their father’s death, estranged siblings with extraordinary powers uncover shocking family secrets — and a looming threat to humanity.
Verdict: 3/5 surprise births.
Kind of like Heroes except the superhero strangers are born with their abilities and are brought up as siblings. The family dynamic as well as the individual relationships are fun to watch.
One Day at a Time
TV comedy – M – 3 seasons, 39 episodes – 2017
Cast: Justina Machado, Rita Moreno, Todd Grinnell
Synopsis: In a reimagining of the TV classic, a newly single Latina mother raises her teen daughter and tween son with the “help” of her old-school mom.
Verdict: 5/5 uninvited neighbours.
When you’ve had a bad day at work, this is your medicine. It’s laugh-out-loud-funny, woke (socially aware) and delightfully Cuban. Incredibly bingeable!
Abducted in Plain Sight
True crime documentary – M – 1 hour, 30 minutes – 2017
Synopsis: In this true crime documentary, a family falls prey to the manipulative charms of a neighbour, who abducts their adolescent daughter. Twice.
Verdict: 4/5 creepy alien voices.
It will have you screaming “What?!” over and over again. It’s hard to wrap your head around just how deeply this family was manipulated and the lies one sociopath told to get what he wanted.
The Good Place
TV comedy – M – 3 seasons, 38 episodes – 2016
Cast: Kristen Bell, Ted Danson, William Jackson Harper
Synopsis: Due to an error, self-absorbed Eleanor Shellstrop arrives at the Good Place after her death. Determined to stay, she tries to become a better person.
Verdict: 5/5 fro yos.
At first this concept seemed weak but three seasons later and I’m still totally hooked! The six lead characters are forking hilarious, their adventures are always crazy and it’s just so aesthetically pleasing (is it the colour blocking?).
Dirty John
TV true crime drama – MA 15+ – 1 season, 8 episodes – 2018
Cast: Connie Britton, Eric Bana, Juno Temple
Synopsis: Businesswoman Debra Newell’s life unravels when she falls for the lies and manipulation of con man John Meehan. Based on the true-crime podcast.
Verdict: 4/5 different daily smoothies.
Don’t confuse this with Dear John, the Nicholas Sparks romance. It’s the complete opposite of that – the ultimate online dating cautionary tale. People should be forced to watch it when they set up their profiles.
Isn’t it Romantic
Comedy – PG-13 – 1 hour, 28 minutes – 2019
Cast: Rebel Wilson, Liam Hemsworth, Adam DeVine
Synopsis: After hitting her head, an architect who hates romantic comedies wakes up to find her unremarkable life has become a dazzling, cliché-driven rom-com.
Verdict: 4.5/5 twirling Liam Hemsworths.
I have to admit, I’m not the biggest fan of Rebel Wilson. But this was so much fun to watch! The humour is on point and the Aussie accents (Rebel’s and Liam’s) – which are often annoyingly out of place in American movies – are actually great.
Cactus Pop 