(Credits: Netflix)

Stories are the foundation of the building a person grows up in. They shape the way we see the world and subconsciously become an essential part of our personality. But stories do not always have to be from a book. The source can be the people we meet, the things we learn or the everyday happenings in our lives. And a rather popular source of that these days is Netflix.

There is no doubt that Netflix is full of noisy, big-budget titles. The kind that gets weeks of promotion and endless chatter. But tucked away are shows that arrive quietly and still manage to leave a lasting impression. These are the ones that remind you why you started loving stories in the first place.

Such shows are not about shock value or scale. Instead, they are built on characters who feel alive and relatable and moments that are both intimate and powerful. Most of all, they connect us to the themes that speak across cultures. These are stories that draw you in slowly, then refuse to let you go.

Hence, we have got you five shows on Netflix that may not always trend but carry that rare spark. The kind of spark that makes you pause, lean in, and remember just how much a good story can matter.

Five Netflix shows to watch for their storytelling

Sense8 (Lana & Lily Wachowski, 2015–2018)

This show begins as a sci-fi experiment and grows into one of the most human stories ever told on Netflix. Sense8 links eight strangers across the world, and what happens further is a bit crazy. It allows them to share thoughts, memories, and emotions. Now, you might think that the plot seems interesting, and that’s the reason this show deserves the praise. You might be surprised that, apart from a unique plot, it is the way the show turns empathy into its true superpower that makes it unforgettable.

As you move ahead to the end, you are not just watching these characters live their lives; you are practically living with them. From their joys and heartbreaks to their daily chores, everything feels personal, like you have joined their cluster. It is the type of storytelling that makes the world feel a little smaller and a lot more connected.

Godless (Scott Frank, 2017)

When you take a first glance at Godless, it looks like a classic Western. With guns, horses, and outlaws being the primary visuals of the show, it is easy to think that. But your preconceived illusion snaps when you realise the heart of the story lies in a town run almost entirely by women after a mining accident. And suddenly, the familiar dust and grit feel different.

Just as its name suggests, what makes Godless so powerful is the way it balances spectacle with emotion. The shootouts in the show are tense, but that does not overshadow the quiet moments, which carry just as much weight. This show reimagines an old genre, transforming it into a story of survival and resilience.

Maid (Molly Smith Metzler, 2021)

Maid will be the most brilliant and relevant series out there as long as single working moms who have experienced abuse exist. Some stories rely on action, and then there is Maid, which relies on truth. Based on Stephanie Land’s memoir, it follows Alex, a young mother trying to start over while working as a cleaner. It is a show about exhaustion, small victories, and the strength it takes to keep going when the world feels stacked against you.

There is no glamour in the show and no sugarcoating of any sort. There is barely any hope and, more importantly, no easy resolution. Instead, it shows life in its rawest form. It teaches you to find dignity and hope in the smallest of moments. It is the kind of storytelling that feels quietly monumental because it comes from a place of honesty. And when it comes to the storytelling bit, this show is so beautifully written that even if it leaves you with hundreds of scars, it is something hard to forget.

Unorthodox (Anna Winger, 2020)

Unorthodox is yet another show that screams the lore of a woman feeling oppressed. It tells the story of Esty, a young woman who walks away from her ultra-Orthodox community in Brooklyn to start fresh in Berlin. The premise of the show alone is powerful enough to keep you hooked, but the way it unfolds is even more striking. It never shouts, it lingers.

Every look, every silence, every choice feels heavy with meaning. It could have easily been another Netflix show about a straightforward story of rebellion. Instead, it becomes a tender portrait of courage and identity. Unorthodox is the living proof that sometimes the simplest stories are the ones that hit the hardest.

Collateral (David Hare, 2018)

Collateral starts with a very simple premise: a pizza delivery driver is shot on a quiet London night. At first, it is easy to confuse it with a random tragedy. But as the investigation unfolds, you realise it is not random at all. One death pulls on a thread, and suddenly you are looking at a whole web of secrets, politics, and hidden struggles.

What makes Collateral so gripping is that it feels real. Every character, from detectives to politicians to ordinary people caught in the middle, adds another layer to the story. In just four episodes, it shows how one small moment can ripple through an entire city. It is a short series, but the impact stays long after you finish.