Three underrated Netflix series you should check out this weekend (April 24-26).
This weekend on Netflix, you can explore three vastly different worlds: a 19th-century murder mystery that challenges your perceptions of guilt, a gripping Danish Nordic noir thriller about a serial killer that you won't be able to stop watching, and a Japanese sumo drama that's surprisingly captivating.
One of these is adapted from a novel by Margaret Atwood, another boasts a flawless 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and the last will make you develop a genuine interest in a sport you previously had no thoughts about. All three are criminally underrated and deserve your binge-watching this weekend.
Additionally, we have guides highlighting the top new movies to stream, the best movies on Netflix, top films on Hulu, the best free movies, and the finest picks on Amazon Prime Video.
**Alias Grace (2017)**
Netflix
Adapted from Margaret Atwood’s book of the same title, this six-episode miniseries centers on Grace Marks, a young Irish immigrant in 19th-century Canada who is accused of murdering her employer and his housekeeper. Ten years into her incarceration, psychiatrist Dr. Simon Jordan interviews her to assess whether she deserves a pardon due to insanity. The series hinges on a crucial question: is Grace being truthful?
Sarah Gadon portrays Grace with a quiet, measured intensity that keeps you guessing about her true character. She is both fragile and captivating, possibly even dangerous. The series also serves as a poignant examination of how women were viewed, judged, and silenced during that time. It holds a remarkable 99% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which it fully deserves.
You can find Alias Grace on Netflix.
**The Chestnut Man (2021)**
Netflix
This show is a perfect weekend choice, especially since season 2 of The Chestnut Man: Hide and Seek will be available on Netflix on May 7. You have enough time to binge-watch the first season before the new one drops. This Danish crime thriller follows detectives Naia Thulin and Mark Hess as they track down a serial killer in Copenhagen, who leaves small chestnut figurines at every crime scene.
The series captivates with its ever-expanding mystery that takes unexpected turns. The pacing is relentless, the atmosphere genuinely eerie, and the conclusion hits hard. With six episodes and a flawless 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, it stands out as one of the best Nordic noir series Netflix has produced.
You can watch The Chestnut Man on Netflix.
**Sanctuary (2023)**
Netflix
It’s astonishing how little this hidden gem is discussed. This Japanese drama follows Kiyoshi, a financially struggling and reckless young man who accidentally enters the world of professional sumo wrestling in pursuit of money, only to be ensnared by its traditions, politics, and strict hierarchy. Imagine a Rocky-style story set in one of Japan's most revered sports institutions, infused with dark humor.
The sumo matches themselves are both brutal and visually stunning. However, what truly keeps you invested in this underrated series is its portrayal of the culture surrounding the sport, the rivalries among stables, the unwavering grip of 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 at least two episodes before making a final judgment.
You can view Sanctuary on Netflix.
Other articles
Three underrated Netflix series you should check out this weekend (April 24-26).
This weekend's Netflix lineup features three distinctly varied genres. There's a 19th-century murder mystery inspired by a Margaret Atwood novel, a Danish thriller about a serial killer, and an engaging Japanese sumo drama that's hard to stop watching.
