'Arrival' stars Amy Adams as linguistics professor Louise Banks who must lead an elite team of ... [+]
As the leaves change and September comes to a close, Netflix
This month, we’ve got some new additions to the list—from a chilling atmospheric vampire film and to a classic Denis Villeneuve sci-fi masterpiece. In total, I’ll highlight the ten best movies added to Netflix so far in 2023. Then I’ll close out the article with a number of honorable mentions that might appeal to other tastes. So grab your popcorn, because September's lineup is not to be missed.
In the frost-kissed Chilean south stands a decaying mansion, where Jaime Vadell's ancient vampire, Augusto Pinochet, resides. Accompanied by his devoted wife, Lucia (Gloria Münchmeyer), and an ever-faithful butler (Alfredo Castro), this immortal being has feasted since the French Revolution. After centuries of hunger-driven ruthlessness, the count's legacy weighs on him. Seeking redemption, he contemplates a blood-free life and its inevitable end. However, with the unexpected arrival of his ambitious children, the count's journey takes another unforeseen turn. Directed by Pablo Larraín and featuring Paula Luchsinger, it's a chilling tale of legacy, redemption, and eternal hunger.
Director Denis Villeneuve presents an ethereal dance between science fiction and human emotion, with Amy Adams leading the waltz as Dr. Louise Banks, a linguist called upon when extraterrestrial crafts touch down on Earth. This isn't your run-of-the-mill alien encounter. Instead, it challenges viewers to contemplate time, communication, and our very existence. Adams, alongside Jeremy Renner and Forest Whitaker, delves deep into the intricacies of language and its ability to bridge worlds and heal divides.
Baseball's notorious Veeck legacy, founded by Bill Veeck, met a dramatic halt when his son Mike's antics tarnished their reputation. Shunned from the sport, Mike Veeck, portrayed with zest by Charlie Day, embarks on a poignant journey from disgrace to redemption. As family revelations surface, the quest to restore their name becomes a deeper exploration of family bonds. With Morgan Neville and Jeff Malmberg at the helm, narrated by Jeff Daniels, this heartwarming comeback tale is infused with unexpected laughter and profound realizations.
Bill Nighy, in an Oscar-nominated turn, brilliantly portrays a beleaguered civil servant grappling with life's cruel punch - a grim medical prognosis. Lost amidst the mundane and melancholy, he finds sparks of life in a lively woman and a hedonistic local. Inspired by Akira Kurosawa's poignant 1952 masterpiece, Ikiru, Living is director Oliver Hermanus's heart-rending tribute to life's fleeting beauty. Alongside Nighy, Aimee Lou Wood, Alex Sharp, and Tom Burke, create an elegiac canvas that paints hope amidst despair.
Storm Reid plays June, a determined daughter who embarks on a frantic digital chase when her mother vanishes in Colombia. Amidst a bureaucratic maze, June's tech-savvy pursuit spirals into a perplexing web of mysteries. Although the plot occasionally stretches belief, its pulsating pace and modern-day fears anchor its narrative. Directed by Will Merrick and Nick Johnson, this suspenseful techno-thriller co-stars Joaquim de Almeida, Ken Leung, and Amy Landecker, and delves deep into the dark alleys of the digital world.
If raw adrenaline had a cinematic embodiment, it'd be this gem directed by Gareth Evans. Picking up from its predecessor, Rama, masterfully portrayed by Iko Uwais, goes undercover in Jakarta's criminal underbelly, spiraling into a whirlwind of intricately choreographed combat and high-octane action in The Raid 2. This film isn't just about the fight scenes (though they are breathtaking); it's a dive into the depths of corruption, loyalty, and retribution. Supporting acts by Arifin Putra and Yayan Ruhian bolster an already electrifying story.
Dive into a thrilling battle between good and evil, with Russel Crowe as Father Gabriele Amorth, the Vatican's seasoned exorcist. In a world consumed by possession and demonic forces, this priest, having conducted over 100,000 exorcisms, is a beacon of hope. Daniel Zovatto, Alex Essoe, and Franco Nero join Crowe in this spine-chilling dance with darkness. Helmed by Julius Avery, this horror flick injects fun into the familiar, making it an enjoyable jaunt. Crowe's magnetic charisma elevates The Pope’s Exorcist to a devilishly delightful spectacle.
When Fontaine, a streetwise dealer, miraculously resurrects after a fatal encounter, he teams up with his pals, Slick Charles and Yo-Yo, plunging into a whirlwind of dark conspiracies. Their wild ride unveils a clandestine government operation that runs deeper than they imagined. Jamie Foxx, John Boyega, and Teyonah Parris weave this intriguing tapestry of suspense, betrayal, and mysteries. Under Juel Taylor's deft direction, the trio navigates a world where truth is stranger than fiction.
The dynamic detective duo, Nick and Audrey Spitz, portrayed by Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston, are back! This time, they're on a whirlwind chase after a friend's unexpected abduction. Embarking on an international escapade filled with wit, quirk, and Sandler-Aniston chemistry, the sequel packs even more laughs than its predecessor. Jeremy Garelick crafts a roller-coaster ride of mystery, mirth, and mayhem, further enriched by Mark Strong and Mélanie Laurent.
Adam Driver's Mills crash-lands into the unexpected - Earth's prehistoric era, 65 million years in the past. Teaming up with fellow survivor, Koa, played by Ariana Greenblatt, they journey across a savage land teeming with ferocious ancient beasts. Scott Beck and Bryan Woods masterfully direct this adrenaline-pumping sci-fi thriller, drawing us into a world both alien and achingly familiar. As time races, so do the heartbeats in this gripping tale of survival.
Here are several other great movies that have been added to the Netflix library in 2023.