Netflix is constantly refreshing its library with new releases and old. The year 2023 saw the release of many brilliant films, from Killers of the Flower Moon to You Hurt My Feelings.
While we are yet to find out how many of these films released in the later half of the year will land on Netflix eventually, there are quite a few that have already arrived on the platform.
We have curated five 2023 movies that are essential viewing for any film enthusiast. These works span various genres and media.
Ranging from thought-provoking dramas to genre-bending adventures, here’s what you should be binging this weekend.
Five essential films to binge on Netflix:
They Cloned Tyrone
Juel Taylor’s science fiction satire, They Cloned Tyrone, takes the audience on a thrilling ride into a government cloning conspiracy. Starring John Boyega, Teyonah Parris, and Jamie Foxx—who also serves as a producer—the film features an unlikely trio investigating mysterious occurrences taking place in their neighbourhood.
David Alan Grier and Kiefer Sutherland add their talents in supporting roles. With a blend of sci-fi and blaxploitation elements, the film crafts a narrative crescendo that will keep you on the edge.
May December
Todd Haynes directs the deeply disturbing drama May December, featuring outstanding performances by Julianne Moore, Charles Melton, and Natalie Portman. Based on the real-life story of Mary Kay Letourneau, the film explores the unsettling relationship between Gracie and Joe, who was only 13 when they started things.
Elizabeth (Portman), an actor making a film on their lives, joins them for a few days, scratching unhealed wounds with selfish unkindness. The movie boasts an oddly nostalgic but sinister score and moody cinematography, making it a must-watch for those drawn to intense character-driven narratives.
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret
Kelly Fremon Craig’s adaptation of Judy Blume’s timeless novel from 1970, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, offers a nostalgic and endearing journey. The film follows Margaret Simon, a sixth-grader navigating the challenges of adolescence while exploring her relationship with faith in the context of her parents’ interfaith marriage.
Addressing topics like menstruation, bras, and boys, the film continues the legacy of Blume’s work, contributing to the ongoing discourse on faith, gender, and girlhood.
Maestro
Bradley Cooper directs the biographical drama Maestro, an exploration of the intricate relationship between American composer Leonard Bernstein (Cooper) and his wife Felicia Montealegre (Carey Mulligan).
Produced by Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg, the film delves into the complexities of Bernstein and Montealegre’s marriage, showcasing Cooper’s directorial prowess once again after his acclaimed work in A Star Is Born.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse serves as a visually stunning and action-packed addition to the Spider-Verse saga. Directed by Joaquim Dos Santos, Justin K. Thompson, and Kemp Powers, the film is a sequel to the beloved Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
Following Miles Morales and Gwen Stacy as they thwart a multiverse threat, the movie is a vibrant celebration of old-school comics and animation styles.
