Five Netflix best friends we all wish we had
Some Netflix characters are written to be sidekicks. They pop in for comic relief, drop a generic “you got this”, and disappear before the drama hits. But then there are the ones who feel real. The ones who do not need the spotlight to shine. The ones you start imagining in your own life, texting you back, showing up, and making everything better or worse in the best way.
These are not just best friends. They are therapists, troublemakers, life coaches, and sometimes emotional support disasters. They make chaos feel comforting, turn awkward moments into hilarious memories, and, when it counts, show up harder than anyone else.
This list is for the Netflix besties who would never let you spiral alone. The ones who would bring glitter to your breakdown, vodka to your revenge, or a toolkit to your Demogorgon problem. You do not just want them in your corner; you need them.
Here are the five fictional friends we wish we had in real life. Plus a bonus sixth, because we could not leave him behind.
Five Netflix best friends we all wish we had
Eric Effiong (Sex Education)
Eric is glitter and gospel rolled into one absolute icon. He will call you out, hype you up, and match your outfit to your mood with accessories. While everyone else is worrying about being cool, Eric is already on the dance floor living his truth and probably changing lives by accident.
Imagine if you were caught crying in a bathroom at a party because your situationship said “cool” instead of “cute”. If Eric were there for you, he would not only talk you down but would also emerge in a tiara and start a distraction dance-off that clears the room and resets your self-worth. Therapy? No, just one Eric Effiong pep talk and a shimmer eyeshadow, please.
Robin Buckley (Stranger Things)
Robin is that rare combo of sarcastic, smart, and secretly soft. This Stranger Things character is a human eye-roll, but the kind that still shows up when no one else does. She is the best kind of ride-or-die, one who will decode Russian messages and your feelings without ever getting weird about it.
If you accidentally joined a cult thinking it was an improv class (which, let’s be honest, could happen), Robin would crash the ceremony in a Scoops Ahoy uniform, confuse the entire crowd with her rapid-fire logic, and walk you out with a smirk and a soft “I told you so”. You would laugh, survive, and maybe grab a milkshake after.
Klaus Hargreeves (The Umbrella Academy)
Klaus is chaos in eyeliner. He talks to dead people, drinks like a poet, and feels things so hard he turns pain into punchlines. He is equal parts tragic mess and spiritual guru; somehow, he makes both look fabulous. If your friendship needs a bit of madness and unconditional love, Klaus will deliver.
If you woke up after quitting your job via interpretive dance and accidentally texting your ex a picture of your foot, Klaus would show up barefoot, say “been there”, and convince you it was an act of emotional liberation. Then he’d stage a séance to contact your confidence and get it back. Probably while high. You’ll love it.
Zahid Raja (Atypical)
Zahid is that wildly inappropriate, surprisingly wise, walking HR violation of a best friend. He gives the worst advice that sometimes works, makes everything sound like a conspiracy, and will defend you even when you are clearly wrong. He is a disaster, but he is your disaster.
If you sent a risky email to your boss and immediately regretted it, Zahid would break into your office, fake a power outage, and casually ask, “What’s your Gmail password, bro?” You wouldn’t question it. You would just let him handle it, and somehow, somehow, you’d still keep your job. Probably get promoted, too.
Grace Hanson (Grace and Frankie)
Grace has no time for your nonsense, but she will tolerate it if she loves you. She is classy, cold when needed, and always armed with a vodka bottle and a legendary insult. She might forget your birthday, but she will make sure your ex cries at your wedding. Grace is not a best friend; she is a lifestyle.
If you were ghosted by a guy named “Brad” who then sent you a LinkedIn connection request, Grace would track him down, corner him at a wine bar, and give a speech so scathing that he’ll quit the internet. Then she would adjust her pearls and say, “You are welcome”. Icon behaviour.
Bonus: Dustin Henderson (Stranger Things)
Dustin is the pure, nerdy, adorable heart of every friend group. He believes in monsters, friendship, and you. He is the friend who brings snacks, makes the plan, and thinks walkie-talkies are still cool, and you love him for that. And are we completely forgetting that he is a certified genius? That boy has always come to rescue with his smarts whenever the world needed him. Who doesn’t want to be friends with someone so smart?
If your life spiralled into a supernatural mess, Dustin would already be on his bike, heading to your house with a toolkit, a pep talk, and a mildly illegal idea that actually works. You would survive, and he would insist on making a team name on the side.
