3 gripping Netflix thrillers you must watch this week (March 23-29)

Who is ready to start their week with thrills? It may be a Monday, but the excitement of the weekend doesn’t have to stop. One of my favorite categories on Netflix is ​​thrillers, a diverse genre with many options. Whether you want action or horror with your excitement, the streamer’s thriller page has it all.

This week, our selection highlights one of the greatest television shows of all time. Normally, movies based on TV shows don’t work. Fortunately, this crime thriller is like the prologue to an epic television series. Our other selections include a fascinating shark nail-biter and a unique mystery revolving around a phone call.

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The culprit

Jake Gyllenhaal in a single-location thriller

Know how The culpritNetflix’s 2021 remake of a Danish film of the same name, has been filmed, makes me appreciate the crime thriller even more. He went into production in 2020 during the first year of the pandemic. With all the rules and regulations in place, The culprit chose to film in one location to make things easier during filming. A few days before filming began, Antoine Fuqua was forced to quarantine after someone tested positive. So he made the film from a nearby van. Already impressed?

In the center of The culprit is Jake Gyllenhaal, who plays Joe Baylor, an LAPD officer forced to work in a 911 call center while he awaits punishment for an incident that occurred on the job months before. One night, he receives a call from Emily Lighton (Riley Keough), a woman who says she has been kidnapped. As he investigates the problem, Joe becomes increasingly concerned for Emily and her safety, leading to a night of twists and turns and unforeseen consequences.

From The culprit takes place in a single location, it relies on two things to drive the action: Gyllenhaal and the screenplay. Gyllenhaal’s intensity keeps the audience in suspense as Joe slowly cracks under the pressure as the weight of his actions collapses. His engaging performance, coupled with Nic Pizzolatto’s thought-provoking script, is a winning formula.

The culprit

Release date

September 24, 2021

Runtime

90 minutes

Director

Antoine Fuqua

2

Under Paris

Shark attack in the City of Lights

We, the public, have been trained to fear sharks in movies because of Jaws. Many filmmakers have taken ideas from Steven Spielberg’s groundbreaking blockbuster and applied them to their own shark films. Genetically modified sharks? Deep blue sea. Shark versus surfer? The shallows. Sharks bigger than a submarine? The Meg.

The next twist in a shark movie – sharks in France – is Under Paris. During a research expedition, marine biologist Sophia (Bérénice Bejo) sees her entire team die at the hands of a killer shark. Years later, Sophia leaves the depths of the ocean to find safety in a Parisian aquarium. His peace is short-lived when the same creature that killed his team is now trapped in the Seine. Just like in Jawsthe mayor chooses to keep the river open for a major triathlon.

A shark in Paris with innocent bystanders in the water? Obviously you know where this is going. This is not a search Under Paris. Predictable scares will happen in shark movies. What’s important is the entertainment factor, and I can confidently say that Under Paris will keep your attention. Suspend your disbelief and you’ll be rewarded with a fun time at the movies.

Under Paris

Release date

June 5, 2024

Runtime

101 minutes

Director

Xavier Gens

1

El Camino: a Breaking Bad movie

Jesse Pinkman has his chance to redeem himself

Name a superlative about Break the bad. That’s probably true. One of the best shows of all time? Check. One of the greatest TV performances of all time? Check. One of the best supporting roles? Check. Speaking of supporting players, Aaron Paul needs to be mentioned more when talking about TV’s all-time sidekicks. Walter White won’t make it without Jesse Pinkman. Because of his importance, Jesse deserved a definitive conclusion.

El Camino: a Breaking Bad movie picks up following Jesse’s escape from Todd’s compound. On the run, Jesse plans to raise $250,000 to buy a new identity from Ed Galbraith (Robert Forster), also known as the vacuum cleaner who makes criminals disappear. While searching for money, Jesse crosses paths with a familiar enemy, someone from his past whom he can’t let go.

If The Path only including scenes from today, I honestly would have been less enthusiastic. I love Gilligan’s decision to include flashbacks, especially the one with Walter (Bryan Cranston), because it explains Jesse’s trauma and his motivations for a better future. The Path is not as good as breaking Bad summits. However, it was a satisfying return to a universe that so many people loved.

Other streaming options

Thanks to a successful streaming ecosystem, there are plenty of options elsewhere if thrillers aren’t your thing. Netflix has an entire section dedicated to Oscar-winning films if you want to watch a prestige piece. On the unscripted side, Netflix’s documentaries are some of Hollywood’s best. Whatever genre you want, Netflix will provide it.

Subscription with advertisements

Yes, $8/month

Concurrent streams

Two or four