With so many titles to choose from, Netflix Instant's library can be overwhelming. So we bring you this biweekly column as a tool to cut through the clutter by highlighting some now streaming titles that pair well with the latest theatrical releases.
Looking to Now You See Me, The Kings of Summer, and The Purge for inspiration, we've pulled together a selection of crime thrillers, indie comedies and horror stories of the hunted.
Now You See Me
Magicians are more than masters of illusions in this crime thriller; they are also master bank robbers who bestow their ill-gotten goods upon their giddy audience members. But an FBI agent and an Interpol detective are looking to discover the tricks of their trades and track them down. Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson, and Morgan Freeman co-star; Louis Leterrier directs. (Read our review here.)
Got a taste for tales of cops and crooks? Netflix has a great title for you whether you are craving something gritty, comedic or deeply chilling.
End of Watch (2012) Starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Michal Pena as Officers Taylor and Zavala, this critically heralded drama follows the two cops as they patrol the gang-ridden and drug-fueled streets of South Los Angeles. Anna Kendrick and America Ferrera co-star; David Ayer writes and directs.
Clue (1985) Based on the omnipresent board game, this crime comedy takes viewers into the home of blackmailer Mr. Body, a curious host whose gathered together six colorful dinner guests for a night of mystery and murder. When their duplicitous host turns up dead, all their secrets come out and many hilarious hijinks ensue. Eileen Brennan, Tim Curry, Madeline Kahn, Christopher Lloyd, Michael McKean, Martin Mull, and Lesley Ann Warren star; Jonathan Lynn directs.
The Fall (2013) How do you catch a killer who hides in plain sight? That's the question asked in this BBC Two mini-series. Gillian Anderson stars as Stella Gibson, the Detective Superintendent brought in by the Belfast police when a spade of murders has them completely confounded. But this series doesn't only follow her quest. It also tails the killer on his hunt for new victims. Jamie Dornan, Niamh McGrady co-star; Allan Cubitt directs.
The Kings of Summer
This Sundance standout follows three teen friends who set our for a summer of adventure and independence when they run away into the local woods and build a house where they make the rules. Nick Robinson, Gabriel Basso, Moises Arias star; Nick Offerman and Megan Mullaly co-star. Jordan Vogt-Roberts directs. (Read our review here.)
The Kings of Summer is getting wild and widespread praise for its unique and thoroughly funny coming-of-age narrative. For more outstanding indie comedies about growing up, check out these three that offer stories of love, heartbreak, drug dealing and the kind of self-discovery that derives from them.
Charlie Bartlett (2007) High school sucks. No wonder so many kids today are turning to medication to get them through. And in this sly comedy, their hook-up is master manipulator Charlie Bartlett who cajoles pills from his own psychiatrist so he can play shrink to the pained teens at his new school. This is not only Charlie's offbeat path to popularity, but also a responsibility to his peers that changes him. Anton Yelchin, Robert Downey Jr., Hope Davis and Kat Dennings co-star; Jon Poll directs.
Ceremony (2011) The feature debut of writer-director Max Winkler centers on the pivotal weekend of a twenty-something writer who can't let go of his love affair with an older woman. So, he tricks his best pal into a road trip that not so coincidentally leads them to crash her wedding festivities, in hopes he might win her back. Michael Angarano, Uma Thurman, Reece Thompson and Lee Pace star.
Tonight You're Mine (2011) Shot over five days in at the Scottish music festival T in the Park, this raw romance follows two rock performers on an unexpected adventure of growth and passion. Game of Thrones Natalia Tena plays a grungy and impetuous up-and-coming rocker whose fate is forever changed when she picks a fight with a handsome rock star (Luke Treadaway). When their scuffle attracts the attention of a smiling security guard, he handcuffs them together before vanishing, forcing the sparring singers to get to know each other over an incredible 24 hours filled with music and heat. David Mackenzie directs.
The Purge
This horror story is set in an America that is almost perfect. Unemployment and crime are at all time lows. But the cost of this peace is that one night a year all crime is legal. And on this night where murder and mayhem reign, a family is held hostage when they accidentally harbor the subject of one murderous team's pent-up rage. Ethan Hawke, Lena Headey, Max Burkholder co-star; James DeMonaco writes and directs. (Read our review here.)
Looking over the titles in Netflix's streaming library, it's easy to see being hunted is a common fear of mankind. For more creepy tales of hunting and horror, try these titles where man is prey of subterranean terrors, demonic dolls, and Nazi zombies.
Tremors(1990) Set in small town surrounded by vast desert, this horror-comedy follows a pair of roughneck locals who have to become heroes when massive man-eating worms are unearthed beneathed their feet. You can run, but you better get off the ground. Kevin Bacon and Fred Ward star; Ron Underwood directs.
Child's Play 2: Chucky's Back (1990) Poor Andy! Following his first brush with a Good Guy doll possessed by a serial killer, his single mom has been committed to an insane asylum and he's been placed in foster care. But things get worse when Chucky returns, looking once more to stalk Andy so he can use voodoo to take over his body. And he'll kill anyone who gets in his way! Alex Vincent and Brad Dourif star; John Lafia directs.
Dead Snow (2009) This Norwegian gore-fest centers on four friends who make a very unfortunate choice for a vacation spot. Shortly after their arrival, an unexpected guest tells them of the area's dark history. A band of Nazis once overran the area, torturing and killing its inhabitants and looting their valuables. When they were eventually chased into the mountains, it was assumed they froze to death. But when their hidden treasures are disturbed, these hateful killers return from the grave to wreak bloody revenge! Vegar Hoel, Charlotte Frogner, and Jeppe Beck Laursen star; Tommy Wirkola directs.
