The Focus breaks down which movies to see and which to avoid from the Netflix ‘Top 10’ category this week.
Time is precious and so are good movies. We’re here to make sure you make the most of both by offering some Netflix recommendations. The popular streamer adds a range of films regularly, whether that’s obscure finds or modern blockbusters, of which there are some in the ‘Top 10’ movies category. The section helps point audiences in the direction of what’s popular, but sometimes it can steer you wrong. So, let’s steer you right…
The Little Things – watch
The no. 1 most popular movie on Netflix right now is The Little Things, a 2021 crime thriller with a star-studded cast of Denzel Washington, Jared Leto, and Rami Malek.
Denzel and Rami play two detectives who are tasked with bringing a serial killer to justice while navigating interference from the FBI. Set in the 1990s, it’s a must-see for fans of David Fincher’s Seven, and despite not resonating with the majority of critics, it’s a satisfying ride if you’re not expecting greatness.
- JUST ADDED: New on Netflix this week
Split – watch
After a string of misfires, fans of The Sixth Sense director M. Night Shyamalan had all but forgotten his earlier brilliance. However, his 2016 horror-thriller Split was hailed as a return to form.
Anya Taylor-Joy stars as Casey, a young woman abducted by a dangerous stranger named Kevin (played by James McAvoy) who flits between 23 wildly conflicting personalities. James gives an unbelievably committed and striking performance, taking on the challenging role(s) with ease. As for that ending—well, I’ll let you experience it for yourselves.
The Accountant – watch
Ben Affleck stars in the action-thriller The Accountant as Christian Wolff, an autistic maths genius who works as an accountant for wealthy criminals. His gig working legitimately for a robotics company, on the other hand, leads to crimes worth millions and the bodies start to rack up.
Ben is fantastic in the central role and earned the film a lot of praise despite critics’ issues with
other elements. Along with supporting performances from Anna Kendrick and Jon Bernthal, it’s a riveting watch that will leave you on the edge of your seat until the end.
Baby Driver – watch
Edgar Wright blazed into the mainstream with Shaun Of The Dead, Hot Fuzz, and The World’s End, but beyond his ‘Cornetto’ trilogy, his most exhilarating feature may just be Baby Driver.
Ansel Elgort plays Baby, a former getaway driver pulled back into the game to help orchestrate the riskiest heist of his unsavory career. Fuelled by an infectious soundtrack and supporting players, it’s sometimes hilarious and always enjoyable. A total gem and one of 2017’s best movies.
Skyscraper – avoid
Dwayne Johnson has struck blockbuster gold, certainly. However, he’s also had some misfires: Skyscraper is one of them.
The 2018 blockbuster follows Dwayne’s central character on a mission to save his family from a burning behemoth of a building. Excessively over the top, you’d have hoped it would be more dumb fun than it is. Bizarrely, they managed to make the film a little too boring, albeit with the occasional scene that shoots for the fences.
Mortal Engines – avoid
The 2018 action sci-fi adventure Mortal Engines was a critical and commercial dud, now remembered as one of the biggest box office bombs ever made.
Set in a post-apocalyptic dystopia where cities have been mounted on wheels and can move around, it’s a hero’s journey that you can afford to miss.
The Wages Of Fear – avoid
Released just this year, The Wages Of Fear is a new French action movie about a team transporting two truckloads of nitroglycerin across a desert in an ultra-tense race against time… only it’s not that tense at all.
What is, however, is the original movie. This is a remake of the 1953 movie with the same plot, and honestly, it’s a masterpiece. If you watch any version, take the time to seek that one out. You can rent it on Prime Video for $3.99.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie – watch
Based on the cherished Nintendo video game series, a voice cast of Chris Pratt, Jack Black and more bring a host of colorful and iconic characters to life in this adventure for the whole family.
It would up being one of the highest-grossing movies of 2023, and although there’s still plenty of time, it’s worth checking out before the sequel arrives in April 2026.
The Miracle Club – watch
If you’re looking for something inspirational and uplifting, you can do much worse than the 2023 comedy-drama The Miracle Club.
A group of women have dreams of setting out on a pilgrimage to the French town of Lourdes. Thanks to the help of a local priest, they’re given the opportunity and set out on a journey they’ll never forget. Starring legendary actresses Maggie Smith, Kathy Bates, and more, it’s a superbly acted and heartwarming time.
No Pressure – avoid
No Pressure isn’t necessarily a bad movie, but with quite a lot of quality in the ‘Top 10’ this week it’s not one I’d recommend actively seeking out either.
The Polish comedy stars Anna Szymańczyk, Anna Seniuk, Mateusz Janicki and tells the story of a woman who is forced to save her grandmother’s farm and also falls for a farmer who’s not all he appears on the surface.
- ADDED TO NETFLIX: Six seasons of historical drama
