Already binged Tiger King? Here are five other Netflix shows to stream in isolation
Look, it’s nothing to be ashamed of – we are all devouring Netflix content like there’s no tomorrow. If like most of us, you’ve been there, watched that and gone on a seven-hour Tiger King bender that can only be described as a chaotic evil-fuelled hot mess, then we’ve got your back. No need to scroll endlessly through mediocre viewing options, as we’ve put together a hand-picked list of Netflix series you should binge-watch while in isolation – because, let’s be real – there’s not much else to do.
Unorthodox
Netflix’s latest four-part miniseries, Unorthodox, follows Esther “Esty” Shaprio (played wonderfully by newcomer Shira Haas), a 19-year-old Hadisic Jewish woman in Brooklyn, who flees to Berlin from an arranged marriage and is taken in by a group of musicians – until her past comes calling. Based on Deborah Feldman’s 2012 memoir, Unorthodox: The Scandalous Rejection of My Hasidic Roots, this series is a sensitive and authentic portrayal of Hasidic Jewish tradition and the bravery of a young girl who sacrifices comfort for liberation from an oppressive past. Unorthodox is streaming now on Netflix.
Mindhunter
From thriller mastermind David Fincher, Mindhunter is a nail-biting origin story of the modern serial-killer profiling techniques that are used by the FBI to this day. The series, which is set in the late 1970s, follows two FBI agents (played flawlessly by Jonathan Groff and Holt McCallany) as they expand criminal science by delving into the psychology of murder and getting uneasily close to prolific serial killers including the likes of Ed Kemper, Richard Speck, Son of Sam and the BTK killer. Featuring a ’70s soundtrack full of bops (think The Doobie Brothers, 10cc and Bowie), Mindhunter has somewhat flown under the radar in comparison to other Netflix big-budget hits, and unrightfully so. Don’t miss Aussie actor Damon Herriman’s turn as Charles Manson in season two (his second portrayal of the real-life criminal and cult leader, his first stint seen in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood) – the resemblance is creepily uncanny. Mindhunter season one and two is streaming on Netflix.
After Life
Our favourite British comedian, Ricky Gervais, may be done writing hysterically funny opening monologues for the Golden Globes – but his dead-pan line delivery and our ensuing belly laughs are far from over. Ricky’s 2019 Netflix series After Life proves the comedian is at the top of his game – as a writer, actor and producer. The story goes like this – struggling to come to terms with his wife’s death, a writer for a newspaper (played by our main man Ricky) adopts a gruff new persona in an effort to push away those trying to help. Often hilarious, surprisingly heartbreaking, this series is a bleak-yet-optimistic insight into a widower’s experience and how life is always better – or at least seems it – when you approach it with a glass-half-full attitude. Great news for those who are planning to binge stream the series this weekend – season two is premiering on Friday April 24. After Life is streaming on Netflix.
Dead to Me
Christina Applegate. Murder. Palm Springs weekend getaways. What more could you want from a Netflix series? Dead to Me follows a hot-headed widow, Jen (played by Christina Applegate), searching for the hit-and-run driver who killed her husband. In the process she befriends an eccentric optimist, Judy (Linda Cardellini), who isn’t quite who she seems. This gem was released last year but with season two debuting next month, it’s time for a watch (or in some cases a re-watch). Did we mention James Marsden is in it? Trust us, it’s worth the binge. Dead to Me is currently streaming on Netflix.
Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker
Based on the titular true story, Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker, centres on an African American woman who rises from poverty to build a beauty empire, resulting in her becoming the first female self-made millionaire (yes that’s right Kylie, this icon did it first). Starring Octavia Spencer as the the trailblazing haircare entrepreneur Madam C.J. Walker, this series brings the uplifting story of this cultural icon to the screen for the first time. The inspiring four-part series also stars Blair Underwood as her husband C.J. Walker and Tiffany Haddish as her daughter Leila. Fun fact – this series was executive produced by none other than basketball legend LeBron James. Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker is streaming on Netflix.
Special mention: Comedic genius and silver fox Steve Carell returns to our screens in Netflix’s upcoming series Space Force, a comedy that centres on a group of misfits tasked with creating a new branch of the U.S. military. John Malcovich, Lisa Kudrow and Ben Schwartz (aka Jean-Ralphio from Parks and Rec) also star in what looks to be one extended laugh-fest. Count us in!
Image: Netflix