- Netflix streaming lineup holds incredible hidden gems often overshadowed by new releases.
- Michael Mann’s 2004 neo-noir Collateral features a rare, unforgettable villain turn from Tom Cruise.
- Damien Chazelle’s three-hour Hollywood epic Babylon is an instant cult classic available now.
- The 2022 psychological horror Influencer constantly reinvents itself with a shocking serial killer twist.
With new titles dropping every week, even the best movies on Netflix can quickly vanish into the streamer’s vast library. This list pulls three recent standout films out of the algorithm’s shadow. Our picks include a critically praised three-hour epic that deserves a second viewing, a sleek horror thriller that never settles for predictable storytelling, and a masterful crime drama featuring a performance from one of Hollywood’s biggest stars that you simply won’t forget.
Collateral (2004)
You need to revisit this propulsive neo-noir crime drama from director Michael Mann. Collateral is the kind of thriller that grabs you from the first minute and keeps the tension coiled tight until the final, haunting moments. The film centers on an unassuming Los Angeles cab driver, played by Jamie Foxx, who finds himself held hostage by a ruthless hit man, played against type by Tom Cruise. Mann’s signature color-soaked digital photography gives the violent, one-night odyssey across L.A. a palpable, vibrant energy. The film balances intense bursts of shocking action with surprisingly intimate moments of human drama. Cruise delivers a memorable and deeply unnerving performance as the silver-haired villain, showcasing a high-intensity screen presence that few can match. This movie works on every level.
Babylon (2022)
Here is a film that was wildly under-appreciated during its initial release and is now earning instant cult classic status. La La Land director Damien Chazelle’s three-hour epic, Babylon, is a sprawling look at 1920s Hollywood during its chaotic transition from the silent film era to the age of the talkies. Starring Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie, the film is a contradictory, beautiful mess. Chazelle manages to channel both clear reverence for the art of filmmaking and a palpable distaste for the industry that funds it. The film plays like the disillusioned, boozy B-side to La La Land, overflowing with memorable and often anxiety-riddled moments. It’s a spectacular, audacious piece of filmmaking that demands to be seen.
Influencer (2022)
If you’re looking for a dose of lean, mean psychological horror that avoids generic jump scares, check out Influencer. Director Kurtis David Harder’s film follows Madison, a social media personality on a solo trip through Thailand. When she meets the assured and eccentric CW, the trip takes a sinister turn. This Brian De Palma-esque thriller constantly reinvents itself over its taut 92-minute runtime, pulling off multiple surprising, slick twists. Its capacity to never settle into a familiar rhythm is what makes it so thrilling. Plus, with its sequel Influencers premiering on Shudder this week, now is the perfect time to catch the original on Netflix.
Find your remote, settle in, and explore these spectacular films before they disappear back into the vast Netflix void.
Log into Netflix and add Collateral, Babylon, and Influencer to your watchlist tonight!
