Three overlooked Netflix series to check out this weekend (April 24-26).
Three uniquely distinct experiences await you on Netflix this weekend. There’s a 19th-century murder mystery that challenges your perceptions of guilt, a captivating Danish Nordic noir serial killer thriller that you simply can't stop watching, and a Japanese sumo drama that surprisingly draws you in more than you’d expect.
One is adapted from a novel by Margaret Atwood, the second boasts a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and the third will ignite your interest in a sport you’ve never considered before. All three are significantly underrated and deserve your attention this weekend.
Additionally, we have curated guides featuring the best new films to stream, the finest movies on Netflix, the top films on Hulu, the best free movies, and the standout options on Amazon Prime Video.
**Alias Grace (2017)**
Netflix
Adapted from Margaret Atwood’s novel, this six-part miniseries centers on Grace Marks, a young Irish immigrant in 19th-century Canada who is convicted of killing her employer and his housekeeper. Ten years into her imprisonment, psychiatrist Dr. Simon Jordan begins to interview her to assess if she should be released on the grounds of insanity. The entire narrative hinges on one crucial question: is Grace being honest?
Sarah Gadon portrays Grace with a quiet, calculated control that leaves you uncertain about her true nature. She is both fragile and magnetic, perhaps even dangerous. The series also offers a keen examination of how women were viewed, judged, and silenced during that time. It maintains a 99% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and truly deserves every bit of it.
You can stream Alias Grace on Netflix.
**The Chestnut Man (2021)**
Netflix
This is a perfect choice for your weekend binge as season 2 of The Chestnut Man: Hide and Seek will be released on Netflix on May 7, giving you just enough time to watch the first season first. This Danish crime thriller depicts detectives Naia Thulin and Mark Hess as they pursue a serial killer in Copenhagen who leaves small chestnut figurines at each murder site.
What makes the series so enthralling is its ability to expand the mystery in unexpected ways. The pacing is relentless, the atmosphere genuinely unsettling, and the finale is impactful. With six episodes and a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it is among the best Nordic noir series Netflix has produced.
You can watch The Chestnut Man on Netflix.
**Sanctuary (2023)**
Netflix
It’s surprising how little attention this hidden gem on Netflix receives. This Japanese drama follows Kiyoshi, a broke and reckless young man who inadvertently enters the realm of professional sumo wrestling in pursuit of money, only to find himself engulfed by its traditions, politics, and harsh hierarchy. Imagine Rocky, but set within one of Japan’s most esteemed sports institutions, infused with a dark comedic element.
The sumo matches themselves are both brutal and mesmerizing. However, what keeps you engrossed in this underrated series is its portrayal of the surrounding culture, the rivalries among stables, the strict adherence to tradition, and the political maneuvering behind the scenes. It boasts an 86% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an 8/10 on IMDb. I suggest watching two episodes before forming an opinion on the show.
You can stream Sanctuary on Netflix.
Other articles
Three overlooked Netflix series to check out this weekend (April 24-26).
This weekend's Netflix lineup features three distinctly different genres. There's a 19th-century murder mystery inspired by a novel by Margaret Atwood, a thrilling Danish serial killer story, and an engaging Japanese sumo drama that you won't be able to stop watching.
