Netflix has a vast library of movies, but not all of them are worth your time. In this article, I'll be sharing my personal opinions on five movies that I believe are best avoided. These movies, despite their high production values and star-studded casts, fail to deliver a compelling story or message. From action-packed blockbusters to dark dramas, these films leave viewers feeling disappointed and unfulfilled. So, if you're looking for a movie night recommendation, I suggest steering clear of these five Netflix movies. Let's dive in!
6 Underground
I'll be the first to admit that I'm not a fan of Michael Bay's movies, and '6 Underground' is no exception. With a budget of $150 million, this Netflix original movie stars Ryan Reynolds as a reclusive billionaire who assembles a team of vigilantes to combat state-perpetrated horrors. While the concept is intriguing, the execution falls flat. The movie lacks a clear message and feels more like a series of explosions and action sequences. The talented cast, including Mélanie Laurent, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, and Dave Franco, is wasted in this vapid and unengaging film. In my opinion, '6 Underground' is a prime example of a movie that should have been left on the cutting room floor.
Bright
'Bright' is a 2017 Netflix movie that attempts to tackle serious themes like policing and race, but ends up being a disappointment. The film stars Will Smith as a Los Angeles police officer navigating a fictional world where humans coexist with magical creatures like orcs and elves. While the concept is intriguing, the execution is lazy and muddled. The worldbuilding is poorly executed, and the messages about racially divided societies are surface-level at best. Despite strong performances from Smith and Joel Edgerton, 'Bright' fails to deliver a compelling story or message. In my opinion, it's a movie that should be avoided, and viewers would be better off watching YouTube essays on the subject instead.
Red Notice
Another Ryan Reynolds movie, 'Red Notice' is a 2021 Netflix film that stars Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson and Gal Gadot. The movie follows an FBI profiler searching for a lost artifact, leading to a cat-and-mouse game with an art thief. While Johnson and Reynolds have great chemistry, the movie is empty and vapid. Gadot's performance as the conniving thief is underwhelming, and the film lacks any substance or message. In my opinion, 'Red Notice' is a prime example of a movie that tries too hard to be glamorous and fails to deliver a compelling story. It's a movie that should be avoided, and viewers would be better off spending their time on something more meaningful.
Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile
This 2019 Netflix movie stars Zac Efron as the infamous serial killer Ted Bundy. While Efron's performance has earned some praise, the movie itself is problematic. The film lionizes Bundy and flatters the killer, making him seem cooler than he should. The movie also fails to capture the complexity of Bundy's crimes and the impact they had on his victims. In my opinion, 'Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile' is a movie that should be avoided, as it perpetuates harmful stereotypes and fails to deliver a compelling story. Instead, viewers would be better off watching documentaries or reading books about Bundy's crimes.
Uglies
'Uglies' is a 2024 Netflix movie based on a dystopian novel by Scott Westerfeld. The film stars Joey King as a young woman growing up in a society where genetic modification is the norm. While the concept is intriguing, the execution is deeply flawed. The movie is a pathetic rip-off of other dystopian young adult fare, and the story and performances are rough. The message about how you 'should look' is twisted by the 'happy ending', and the movie fails to deliver a compelling story or message. In my opinion, 'Uglies' is a movie that should be avoided, and viewers would be better off watching something else, like the 'Hunger Games' movies, which are more engaging and thought-provoking.
