(Credit: Netflix)

We all know that feeling when you bite into something delicious and convince yourself it is exactly what your body needed. We have all done that at some point, but Netflix might get in the way of that.

The 2018 documentary, Rotten, is here to destroy that illusion. It is not just a food documentary. It is a glossy, slow-motion cinematic punch to your appetite, with a side of existential dread.

From the first frame, Rotten makes one thing clear: the food on your plate has lived a darker, messier life than you could ever imagine. This is not your cute “behind-the-scenes of a bakery” content. If you were hoping for something cosy, then find another documentary. This is a deep dive into the underbelly of the food industry.

Each episode of this Netflix documentary takes a deep dive into a single product. Be it honey, avocados, garlic, chocolate or chicken, this documentary takes every product and tears apart the pretty marketing facade. The show reveals everything from bee-killing pesticide wars to cartel involvement in avocado farming. It might give you the feeling that your guacamole feels like it belongs in a crime documentary. By the time they get to the cocoa trade and the child labour allegations surrounding it, you will not be able to look at a chocolate bar without feeling like you are holding evidence in a trial.

The real kick in the gut is how Rotten connects your everyday choices to sprawling, corrupt systems. It is not just you who feels that such-and-such a company is shady. It is the feeling you get when you know that this entire supply chain is built on exploitation, environmental destruction, and the suffering of people you will never meet. It hits harder because you realise you have been buying into it your whole life.

But here is the twisted part: Rotten is so well-made that you cannot stop watching. As well as the mafia-level corruption seeded within the story, the way the narrative is told is also highly engaging. High quality cinematography and tight storytelling make this an unstoppable addictive watch.

Some episodes are more stomach-turning than others. The poultry episode, for example, feels like being locked in a fluorescent nightmare of factory farming. The garlic episode casually reveals it is basically blood money with seasoning. The honey episode? Imagine everything you thought you knew about “pure” honey… and then set it on fire. It is that level of betrayal.

And yet, there’s an odd satisfaction in knowing the truth. Rotten feeds that part of you that needs to know what’s really happening, even if it wrecks your appetite in the process. It is also oddly empowering. Yes, the system is a dumpster fire. Yes, your food has a grim backstory. But at least you are not wandering through life thinking your ethically sourced coffee is actually ethically sourced. Knowledge is power, even if it ruins your brunch vibes.

So if your Netflix plans include watching Rotten, here is the only advice that matters: do it on a full stomach. Not because it will make it easier, but because you might just be fasting for the rest of the night. Once you have seen the shady deals behind your chicken nuggets or the global politics behind your avocado toast, your taste buds will need time to recover.