Who’s ready to start their week off with some thrills? It might be a Monday, but the excitement of the weekend does not have to end. One of my favorite categories on Netflix is thrillers, a diverse genre with plenty of options. Whether you want action or horror with your excitement, the streamer’s thriller page has it all.
This week, our top selection honors one of the greatest TV shows of all time. Normally, movies based on TV shows don’t work. Thankfully, this crime thriller is like the prologue to an epic run of television. Our other selections include a riveting shark nail-biter and a one-location mystery revolving around a phone call.
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The Guilty
Jake Gyllenhaal in a single-location thriller
Knowing how The Guilty, Netflix’s 2021 remake of a Danish movie of the same name, was filmed, makes me appreciate the crime thriller even more. It entered production in 2020 during the first year of the pandemic. With all the rules and regulations in place, The Guilty elected to film in a single location to make things easier during the shoot. Days before production began, Antoine Fuqua was forced to quarantine after someone tested positive, so he directed the film from a van nearby. Impressed yet?
At the center of The Guilty is Jake Gyllenhaal, who plays Joe Baylor, an LAPD officer forced to work at a 911 call center as he awaits punishment for an incident that occurred on the job months prior. One night, he receives a call from Emily Lighton (Riley Keough), a woman who says she’s being abducted. As he investigates the issue, Joe becomes increasingly worried about Emily and her safety, leading to a night of unforeseen twists and consequences.
Since The Guilty takes place in one location, it relies on two things to drive the action: Gyllenhaal and the script. Gyllenhaal’s intensity keeps the audience on edge as Joe slowly cracks under pressure when the weight of his actions comes crashing down. His committed performance, matched with Nic Pizzolatto’s thought-provoking script, is a winning formula.
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Under Paris
Shark attack in the City of Light
We, the audience, have been trained to fear sharks in the movies because of Jaws. Many filmmakers have taken the ideas of Steven Spielberg’s groundbreaking blockbuster and applied them to their own shark movies. Genetically modified sharks? Deep Blue Sea. Shark versus surfer? The Shallows. Sharks bigger than a submarine? The Meg.
The next twist on a shark movie—sharks in France—is Under Paris. While on a research expedition, marine biologist Sophia (Bérénice Bejo) witnesses her entire team die at the hands of a killer shark. Years later, Sophia leaves the deep ocean for the safety of a Parisian aquarium. Her peace is short-lived when the same creature that killed her team is now trapped in the River Seine. Just like in Jaws, the mayor elects to keep the river open for an important triathlon.
A shark in Paris with innocent bystanders in the water? Obviously, you know where this is headed. That’s not a dig at Under Paris. Predictable scares will happen in shark movies. What’s important is the entertainment factor, and I can safely say that Under Paris will keep your attention. Suspend disbelief, and you’ll be rewarded with a fun time at the movies.
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El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie
Jesse Pinkman gets his shot at redemption
Name a superlative about Breaking Bad. It’s probably true. One of the best shows ever? Check. One of the greatest TV performances ever? Check. One of the best supporting casts? Check. Speaking of supporting players, Aaron Paul needs to be mentioned more when discussing the all-time sidekicks on television. Walter White doesn’t break bad without Jesse Pinkman. Because of his importance, Jesse deserved a definitive conclusion.
El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie picks up in the aftermath of Jesse’s escape from Todd’s compound. On the run, Jesse plans to raise $250,000 to purchase a new identity from Ed Galbraith (Robert Forster), also known as the vacuum cleaner guy who makes criminals disappear. While searching for cash, Jesse crosses paths with a familiar foe, someone from his past that he can’t let go.
If El Camino only included scenes from the present-day, I honestly would have been less enthusiastic. I love Gilligan’s decision to include flashbacks, especially the one with Walter (Bryan Cranston), as it explains Jesse’s trauma and his motivations for a better future. El Camino isn’t as good as Breaking Bad’s highs. However, it was a satisfying return to a universe that so many people loved.
Other options to stream
Thanks to a fruitful streaming ecosystem, there are plenty of options elsewhere if thrillers aren’t your thing. Netflix has an entire section dedicated to Oscar-winning films if you’re interested in watching a prestige play. On the unscripted front, Netflix’s documentaries are some of the best in Hollywood. No matter what genre you want, Netflix will supply it.
- Subscription with ads
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Yes, $8/month
- Simultaneous streams
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Two or four
Stephan is the sports journalist for the Maple Grove Report.
