(Credits: A24)

Netflix recently opened the floodgates of its weekly entries. Among the horde of content, it brought a surprise addition with the most underrated Andrew Garfield thriller of all time, Under the Silver Lake.

While Mondays with Netflix are always about mixed feelings, considering there’s as much to welcome as there’s to bid goodbye to, bringing this trippy mystery was probably one of the best news of the year so far on the streamer’s part.

Directed by David Robert Mitchell, best known for his horror breakout movie, It Follows, Under the Silver Lake stars Garfield as Sam, a 33-year-old aimless young man who grows obsessed with investigating the disappearance of his missing neighbour, Sarah.

Set in 2011, Los Angeles, the black comedy thriller follows Sam on his surreal, neo-noir quest across the city to track down Sarah, and his subsequent uncovering of bizarre clues, leading to the revelation of a vast ongoing conspiracy surrounding secret societies, ancient rituals, and the decadent underbelly of Hollywood and prosperity.

Although Under the Silver Lake is largely deemed a divisive film with quite a polarised reception, it’s undoubtedly one of the bolder takes on the mystery genre that distances itself from the worn-out tropes. It comes with its fair share of mind-bending twists and turns that carry you forward with eyes of curiosity, and despite handling a complex set of themes, it never really misses a beat.

Under the Silver Lake captures a very specific, hazy version of Los Angeles. It’s sun-drenched and yet decaying, and it’s glamorous, but still gritty. Packed with hidden codes, cyphers, and symbols that will put your mind to work, the thriller is anything but a no-commitment ride.

From blink-and-you-miss moments to messages intentionally concealed in the background and the soundtrack, Under the Silver Lake is a movie that surprises you with a new revelation every time you watch. This is also the reason why, even years after its release, fans still keep reading between the lines.

In addition to Garfield and Riley Keough’s stellar performances, what adds to the intensity of Under the Silver Lake is its supporting star power, featuring the likes of Topher Grace and Ricki Lindhome.

But if you’re a Garfield fan and a sucker for mysteries with no straight answers, Under the Silver Lake should be your next pitstop on Netflix US. So, ensure to make the most of its tenure while it lasts.