9 movies not to miss on Netflix

While Netflix is great for watching hours upon hours of TV shows, it’s also a treasure trove of movies you may have missed because they either never received wide enough theatrical release or the box office numbers were so low that studios rushed them to DVD. Here’s a small smattering of the best Netflix movies that should have a place on your instant watch queue. 

“Take This Waltz”: Michelle Williams, Seth Rogen, Sarah Silverman

A vibrantly colorful story of girl meets boy, but girl is already married. It’s full of small, private moments orchestrated with a tender but fierce touch from director Sarah Polley. All four leads are marvelous, but star Michelle Williams is just as radiant and phenomenal as ever.

“Compliance”: Ann Dowd, Dreama Walker

A middle-aged fast food restaurant manager’s morality is challenged when a police call makes her carry out questionable acts on a young employee. It becomes a grimy and disturbing study almost completely free of genre, which works in symmetry with Ann Dowd’s nuanced everywoman performance.

“Bachelorette”: Kirsten Dunst, Isla Fisher, Lizzy Caplan, Rebel Wilson

Three ethically challenged bridesmaids embark on a raunchy evening out to save a friend’s wedding. It’s bound to be polarizing, but Leslye Headland directs her trio of leads to dizzying heights of hilarity. Girls behaving badly has never looked this good. What ends up a surprise is how relatable and likable the characters end up being, all without sacrificing their admirably bad behavior.

“Young Adult”: Charlize Theron, Patrick Wilson, Patton Oswalt

A teen lit writer heads back to her hometown to relive her glory days and win back her high school sweetheart, who just had a baby with his wife. The film is a mature and unapologetic turn for writer Diablo Cody, who restrains some of the outlandish humor she used in “Juno.” Star Charlize Theron already has an Oscar, but this is the role of a lifetime.

“Weekend”: Tom Cullen, Chris New

Two men spend 48 hours together after meeting in a nightclub, meeting briefly but impacting each other’s lives in a profound way. It’s a brave and naturalistic meditation on modern sexuality and what effects they have on love.

“The Switch”: Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman

A woman decides to have a child via artificial insemination, but due to a jealous best friend who may or may not harbor feelings for her, the sperm donor may not be the father. What could have been a cheap Lifetime movie is instead a surprisingly emotional and well-acted comedy with real dramatic depth and thought behind it.

“Warrior”: Tom Hardy, Nick Nolte, Joel Edgerton

Two brothers separately train for a mixed martial arts competition, one looking to repent a catastrophic past and the other seeking to provide for his family. Nick Nolte dazzles as their alcoholic father in an emotional and thrilling roller coaster that packs a solid punch.

“Like Crazy”: Felicity Jones, Anton Yelchin, Jennifer Lawrence

A tale of two young college students, one American and one British, falling in love for the first time but then separated by an ocean and an expired visa. The connection is perceptive in this love story that is both raw and overwhelmingly modern.

“Melancholia”: Kirsten Dunst, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Kiefer Sutherland

A couple celebrates their marriage as a planet called Melancholia rockets on a crash course towards Earth. Themes of post-apocalyptic universality and family ties abound in this visionary portrait of rather unlikable characters. It’s equal parts poignant and visceral.