In the vast landscape of streaming services, Netflix has become a powerhouse, offering a seemingly endless array of movies and TV shows. However, amidst the gems, there are also some notable duds that are best avoided. Here's a deep dive into five Netflix movies that, in my opinion, are not worth your time. Each of these films, for different reasons, falls short of delivering a compelling cinematic experience.
6 Underground: A Waste of Talent and Budget
Michael Bay's 2019 Netflix original, "6 Underground," is a prime example of a movie that fails to live up to its potential. With a staggering budget of $150 million, the film stars Ryan Reynolds as a reclusive billionaire who assembles a group of vigilantes. The premise, while intriguing, is executed poorly. The movie lacks a coherent story and a clear message, reducing itself to a series of explosions and action sequences. The talented cast, including Mélanie Laurent, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, and Dave Franco, is underutilized, leaving viewers with a sense of wasted potential. It's a movie that, in my view, is best left unwatched.
Bright: A Cop Buddy Comedy Gone Wrong
David Ayer's 2017 Netflix release, "Bright," attempts to tackle serious themes like policing and race but ends up falling flat. The film stars Will Smith as a police officer in a fictional Los Angeles where humans coexist with magical creatures. The worldbuilding, as YouTube essay queen Lindsay Ellis points out, is incredibly lazy. The movie's attempts at social commentary are muddled and surface-level, and the performances, despite being strong, are wasted in a silly and unengaging script. The film's dark cop buddy comedy premise is undermined by its lack of depth, making it a forgettable watch.
Red Notice: A Glossy, Lifeless Action Movie
Writer-director Rawson Marshall Thurber's 2021 Netflix release, "Red Notice," stars Dwayne Johnson and Ryan Reynolds in a cat-and-mouse game involving a stolen artifact. The movie, however, is a glossy, lifeless action flick with no substance. The talented cast, including Gal Gadot, fails to save the film from its emptiness. The story is a shallow, unengaging affair, and the film's attempts at humor fall flat. It's a movie that, in my opinion, is better off forgotten, and it's no surprise that it received negative reviews from critics.
Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile: Flattering the Killer
The 2019 Netflix movie "Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile" is a deeply problematic take on the life of Ted Bundy. Directed by Joe Berlinger, the film stars Zac Efron as the notorious serial killer. The casting of Efron, known for his likable roles, makes Bundy seem more appealing than he should. The movie's attempt to humanize Bundy and his victim, Liz Kendall (Lily Collins), is a dangerous and disturbing portrayal. It's a film that, in my view, glorifies a murderer and should be approached with caution.
Uglies: A Dystopian Disappointment
The 2024 Netflix original, "Uglies," is a dystopian young adult film that fails to live up to its potential. Based on Scott Westerfeld's novel, the movie stars Joey King as a young woman in a society obsessed with genetic modification. The story, while intriguing, is a shallow and pathetic rip-off of other dystopian fare. The performances, despite being strong, cannot save the film from its shallow message and poor execution. It's a movie that, in my opinion, is better left unwatched, and I'd recommend avoiding it in favor of more satisfying dystopian adventures.
In conclusion, while Netflix offers a vast library of content, these five movies are notable for their shortcomings. From wasted talent and budgets to shallow storytelling and problematic portrayals, they are examples of what not to watch. It's essential to approach streaming with a critical eye, and these films serve as a reminder that not everything on Netflix is worth your time and attention.
