Netflix: 4 Hidden Gem Movies to Watch This Weekend

By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man – Follow me on X.

Since it’s Easter Weekend, some of you may have an extra day off or two so let’s recommend a few movies to watch on Netflix, the world’s leading streaming service. But we’re not going to pick just any movie, just any well-known blockbuster film. Here are four hidden gem movies on Netflix that I would highly recommend, all films that you probably have never heard of.

4 Hidden Gem Movies On Netflix

Emily the Criminal (2022)
Aubrey Plaza stars in this John Patton Ford-directed drama (his directorial debut) as a manic young woman who’s lured into a credit card scam to pay off her student loans. You may know Plaza as the cute and quirky April Ludgate on NBC’s Parks and Recreation, but she proves here that she’s an accomplished actress who can command the screen from start to finish. Plaza’s Emily is a dynamo as she progressively becomes more confident in her new life as a criminal. Great performance and a great film.

The Killer (2023)
Directed by David Fincher (and those four words alone should get you pick up your remote), The Killer stars Michael Fassbender as an assassin who becomes the hunted one after a botched hit. Fincher, who has helmed such works of genius as Fight Club, The Social Network, Panic Room, Zodiac and Se7en, never fails to produce an entertaining two hours (or more) and The Killer is no exception with his characteristic style, clever plotlines and atmospherics. (Fincher, by the way, directed Mank for Netflix as well as was involved in the making of House of Cards for the streamer.) And Fassbender is a powerhouse as the fastidious killer whose dedication to his mission could become a self-inflicted wound.

Whiplash (2014)
Damien Chazelle’s brilliant direction (his debut) and the exceptional performances by Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons make Whiplash one of the best films of the century to date. Teller plays a young drummer who will sacrifice anything (including relationships, personal health and mental well being) to succeed while Simmons is a ruthless (and cruel) music teacher who lives to mold talent into greatness regardless of the consequences. Whiplash is an amazing exploration of what it takes to reach the top. Great film!

1917 (2019)
Directed by Sam Mendes, 1917 is the story of two British soldiers who risk everything to deliver a crucial message to the troops before a doomed offensive in World War I. The film puts the viewer in the middle of the combat as well as the psyches of the two soldiers who suppress all survival instincts for the greater cause. Great film from a great director.

Have a Question? Ask The  TV Answer Man!
Have a question about a favorite show, streaming service or new TV product? Send it to The TV Answer Man at swann@tvanswerman.com. Please include your first name and hometown in your message.

The TV Answer Man is veteran journalist Phillip Swann who has covered television for more than three decades. He will report on the latest news and answer your questions regarding new devices and services that are changing the way you watch television. See the bio for Phillip Swann here.