We may still be in the midst of winter, but that hasn’t stopped Netflix from throwing a few great thrillers onto its streaming service.
Every month, we handpick a few of the best thrillers on Netflix that fit the current season. Sometimes they pair well with an upcoming release. Other titles might be new additions to the platform.
This month, we’ve got a foodie-murder hit that seems to be growing into a modern classic, a high-finance romantic drama, and one of the biggest Indian movies ever made.
Editor’s pick: The Menu
Director: Mark MylodCast: Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Fiennes, Nicholas Hoult
The further we get from its 2022 release, the more it feels like The Menu is going to be remembered as a cult classic. The film is a clever, bare-bones thriller that follows guests at an ultra high-end restaurant. But when they arrive for dinner, the chef makes it clear that he’s doing things a little bit differently this time, and that none of them will be getting out alive. The film is tense, it’s beautifully shot by frequent Succession director Mark Mylod, and it features wonderful performances across the board. But the film’s real secret weapon is its devious, pitch-black sense of humor. Mylod’s camera relishes in watching the rich diners sweat, whether it’s over their tax evasion or their undeveloped palates. —Austen Goslin
Fair Play
Director: Chloe DomontCast: Phoebe Dynevor, Alden Ehrenreich, Eddie Marsan
Set in the world of high finance, Fair Play follows two co-workers, Emily (Phoebe Dynevor) and Luke (Alden Ehrenreich) at a high-profile hedge fund who are secretly in a relationship. When Emily gets a promotion that Luke expected, their happy relationship turns sour, with each vying for control, power, and a better place at the firm. What makes Fair Play fun is how much it feels like a throwback. Despite its undeniably modern sheen, this feels like a thriller sent straight from the 1990s, full of bizarre but enjoyable twists designed to keep the heat turned up on everyone in the film. —AG
Pushpa 2: The Rule
Director: SukumarCast: Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna, Fahadh Faasil
The biggest box-office hit in the history of Indian cinemas suddenly dropped on Netflix last week. Pushpa 2: The Rule is the blockbuster sequel to Pushpa: The Rise (streaming on Prime Video, and well worth watching), building on the first movie’s story to create an even bigger globe-trotting crime thriller.
After the events of the first movie, Pushpa (played by the magnetic Allu Arjun) is now a powerful smuggling kingpin who’s basically unlocked an infinite money glitch. Despite his wealth, he finds that bribes alone can’t solve all of his problems, especially not with returning villain SP Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat (Fahadh Faasil), a police officer that Pushpa outfoxed and humiliated in the first movie. With showstopping dance numbers, incredible fight sequences, and Arjun’s charismatic leading performances, Pushpa 2 is a must-see for fans of the first film or fans of massive Indian blockbusters. Director Sukumar has a great eye for loud visuals and explosive set-pieces, and I can’t wait to see what he does next after the massive success of this franchise. One note, though: The “Reloaded” version on Netflix is nearly four hours long. Make sure you have your snacks ready. —Pete Volk
The post The best thrillers to watch on Netflix this February appeared first on Polygon.
