Hey there, movie lovers! You know that moment when it’s Friday, and you’re just, well, completely drained. But you want to watch something… not too complicated, but something that will grab your soul. Not a two-hour movie, because that’s too short. But also not a 10-season series, because life’s too short for that. I mean, how much time does it take to finish “Game of Thrones”?! Well, that’s me—a person who’s always looking for the golden mean. And I found it. It’s, my friends, Netflix miniseries. They’re like a feature film, but even better. Usually, they have 4-6 episodes, each 40-50 minutes long. You sit down, start watching—and in one evening, you have a complete, finished story. And the feeling is just out of this world. I’m honestly hooked. So, I’ve put together a list for you so you don’t have to search. Only verified ones. No spoilers, I promise. Let’s get started!
Why Netflix Miniseries are Your Perfect Choice?
Listen, when I was preparing all this, I thought, what do they have in common? Well, besides the fact that they’re all short. And you know what? I realized. They are all, simply put, like a drug. An episode ends, and you can’t stop yourself. Just one more, you think. And one more. And suddenly it’s 3 a.m., and you’re sitting there like an idiot, with an empty chip bag and empty eyes. So I’m warning you right away: this stuff is addicting! Too captivating. I found political thrillers, detectives, and psychological ones. Everything we love. Some of them I’ve watched several times, and it still feels like the first time. Because they, you know, don’t just kill time. They make you think. And that, you have to agree, is valuable. So, get your tea and cookies ready, and let’s start watching!
1. Bodyguard (2018)
- Director: John Strickland, Thomas Vincent
- Starring: Richard Madden, Keeley Hawes, Sophie Rundle
- Genre: Political Thriller, Drama
- Duration: 6 episodes of ~60 min each
- IMDb: 8.1/10
- Author’s Rating: 9/10
Short Description: A man who served in the military and now works as a police protection officer in London. He’s assigned to protect a female minister whom he, frankly, doesn’t respect much. Because she says things he doesn’t support. And that’s where it begins… Well, you get the idea. Very, very, very tense. You’re constantly on the edge of your seat.
A mind-blowing scene: The beginning! When he’s on a train with his kids, and… well, you’ll see the rest for yourself. But my heart was pounding so hard, I thought it would jump out of my chest. Afterward, I sat for a long time and thought: “Man, how could they film that?”. It’s just masterful.
Author’s Comment: This is my personal favorite. Richard Madden, man, he just gave a 100500% performance here. I believed him, for real. He showed so brilliantly how this person struggles with himself, with his past. He’s not some superhero from a comic book. He’s a real person who, well, has problems. And that’s really cool. You know, it’s like James Bond, but with a human face. If you love something that makes your brain work and your emotions run wild, you’ll love this.
2. Pine Gap (2018)
- Director: Tori Garrett, Matteo Temby, Lena Hess
- Starring: Tess Haubrich, Parker Sawyers, Jacqueline McKenzie
- Genre: Spy Thriller, Drama
- Duration: 6 episodes of ~50 min each
- IMDb: 6.2/10
- Author’s Rating: 7/10
Short Description: A secret base in Australia where Americans and Australians work together. They monitor the world, but suddenly a suspicion arises that one of them… well, is a traitor. And a game begins to see who can outsmart whom. Simply perfect for a good mental workout.
A mind-blowing scene: When one of the characters, well, starts to doubt everyone. That feeling when you just don’t know who to trust. And you realize she’s trapped. It’s very, very difficult. And sitting on the couch, I also thought: “What would I do?”.
Author’s Comment: I watched it, and, you know, I liked it. It’s not like “Bourne,” where someone is constantly running and shooting. Everything is slow here, but very tense. Like a game of chess. I love it when not everything is obvious. And here, honestly, I didn’t understand who the traitor was until the end. And that’s awesome! It makes you think, analyze. If you like that, turn it on.
3. Behind Her Eyes (2021)
- Director: Erik Richter Strand
- Starring: Simona Brown, Eve Hewson, Tom Bateman
- Genre: Psychological Thriller, Fantasy
- Duration: 6 episodes of ~50 min each
- IMDb: 7.2/10
- Author’s Rating: 8/10
Short Description: A single mom who works and dates her boss. And then she also befriends his wife. Oh boy! Well, that’s where it begins. Secrets, betrayal, and something so… very strange. And in the end, something will happen that will just blow your mind.
A mind-blowing scene: The finale! Honestly, when I finished watching, I just… I didn’t know what to say. My wife watched it with me, and we discussed it for half the night. What a finale, I thought. You have to see it to understand.
Author’s Comment: Well, I’m sure you’ve heard about it. It was everywhere. And for a good reason! It’s incredibly captivating. You’re constantly thinking, “What’s wrong here?”. And you think you’ve figured it all out, and then… well, then you realize you didn’t understand anything. I love these kinds of puzzles. And there’s a bit of fantasy in it, but it doesn’t feel weird. It all feels so harmonious that you’re just amazed. I highly recommend it if you like unusual stories.
4. Anatomy of a Scandal (2022)
- Director: S. J. Clarkson
- Starring: Sienna Miller, Michelle Dockery, Rupert Friend
- Genre: Courtroom Drama, Thriller
- Duration: 6 episodes of ~50 min each
- IMDb: 7.0/10
- Author’s Rating: 8/10
Short Description: A British politician living a fairytale life suddenly… oh no! He’s accused of raping a woman. His wife doesn’t believe it. And the lawyer handling the case has her own reasons. It’s, well, just a bombshell. It shows how one scandal can tear everything apart.
A mind-blowing scene: Oh, the scene in court. It’s just incredible. Michelle Dockery… she’s so cold, so confident. Well, I don’t know how to describe it. I was sitting there thinking, “Now that’s an actress!”. Just, wow. I’m sure she definitely won something for this role.
Author’s Comment: This series is, well, very relevant. It shows that even people who seem perfect have their, well, very, very dark secrets. I like that there are no easy answers here. You’re constantly wondering who is telling the truth. And it seems to me that in Ukraine, this topic is very close. When, you know, scandals arise out of nowhere. And you don’t know where the truth is and where the fiction is. Well, it’s a very good series to think about.
5. The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window (2022)
- Director: Michael Lehmann
- Starring: Kristen Bell, Tom Riley, Michael Ealy
- Genre: Dark Comedy, Thriller, Detective
- Duration: 8 episodes of ~26 min each
- IMDb: 6.4/10
- Author’s Rating: 7.5/10
Short Description: A woman who sits at home, drinks wine, and looks out the window. And she sees that someone has killed someone! But no one believes her. Well, because she’s, well, not very sane. And so she begins her own investigation. But was there anything at all? Or did she just imagine it?
A mind-blowing scene: The finale! It’s just, well, so absurd! I honestly laughed. I thought, “Seriously?! After all that?!”. It’s so brilliantly done that, well, you just can’t help but laugh. It’s just like… well, I don’t know how to describe it. You have to see it.
Author’s Comment: This is, you know, a parody of all those thrillers. If you’ve seen “The Girl on the Train,” you’ll understand. Kristen Bell, well, she’s just wonderful. She played this character so brilliantly that you constantly doubt whether she’s really like that, or if it’s just an act. The episodes are very short, so you can watch it in one evening. I really love these dark comedies. They’re not stressful, but at the same time… they make you smile. I recommend it if you want something light but with a kick.
6. Collateral (2018)
- Director: S. J. Clarkson
- Starring: Carey Mulligan, John Simm, Nicola Walker
- Genre: Crime Drama, Detective
- Duration: 4 episodes of ~60 min each
- IMDb: 6.8/10
- Author’s Rating: 7/10
Short Description: A courier is killed in London. But it turns out it’s not a simple case. It leads to very, very influential people. And a detective investigates it, discovering things… well, just shocking. The series is about how one crime can uncover a bunch of problems in society.
A mind-blowing scene: When the main character, who, by the way, is pregnant, conducts an interrogation. She talks so calmly, so confidently that, well, you just look at her and think: “Now that’s a woman!”. It’s just a masterful performance.
Author’s Comment: I generally love Carey Mulligan. And here she’s just… well, a goddess. I watched this series in one evening. Because, well, it’s so short! Only 4 episodes, and I couldn’t tear myself away. It’s very dynamic, and you’re constantly guessing who is to blame. I think it will make you think. And, honestly, I see a lot of parallels here with our Ukrainian realities. When, you know, a simple case can turn out to be part of some big conspiracy.
7. Inside Man (2022)
- Director: Paul McGuigan
- Starring: David Tennant, Stanley Tucci, Lydia West
- Genre: Thriller, Crime Drama
- Duration: 4 episodes of ~55 min each
- IMDb: 7.8/10
- Author’s Rating: 8.5/10
Short Description: The plot revolves around four people. One of them is in prison in the U.S. because he killed his wife. The second is a priest in Britain who, well, got into trouble. And there’s a journalist. And they are connected somehow. How? That’s what you have to figure out. A very unusual plot.
A mind-blowing scene: The final scene! It’s just… I was sitting there thinking, “What was that?!”. It was so unexpected that I couldn’t believe it. I love it when series do that. When you think you’ve figured it all out, and then—bam!—everything is different.
Author’s Comment: I generally love David Tennant. And here he’s just, well, wonderful. He played this priest so brilliantly that I believed him. I think this series is very smart. There are a lot of dialogues, a lot of thoughts. And it’s not just action. It’s a story that makes you think. And here, you know, there are no easy answers. I highly recommend it if you want your brain to work.
8. Paranoid (2016)
- Director: Mark Streeton, John Dutton
- Starring: Indira Varma, Robert Glenister, Neil Stuke
- Genre: Detective, Thriller
- Duration: 8 episodes of ~45 min each
- IMDb: 6.8/10
- Author’s Rating: 7.5/10
Short Description: A female doctor is killed in a park. The police start an investigation, and it’s… well, not simple. It turns out that this case is very, very complicated. And the police are forced to work with a German colleague. It becomes a very interesting game. Intrigue, conspiracies, and, of course, a romantic storyline.
A mind-blowing scene: When one of the characters, who is very nervous, starts to, well, panic. His acting is so convincing that you feel his paranoia. I thought, “Man, what a performance!”.
Author’s Comment: I’m not a big fan of police dramas in general. But I liked this one. It’s not like the others. It’s very, very realistic. And there’s this romantic line that, well, adds emotions. I couldn’t figure out who the killer was until the end. I thought I had figured everything out, and then… well, you’ll see. I highly recommend it if you like when everything is honest, without unnecessary effects.
9. Traitors (2019)
- Director: Dearbhla Walsh, Alex Winkler
- Starring: Emma Appleton, Michael Stuhlbarg, Keeley Hawes
- Genre: Spy Thriller, Drama
- Duration: 6 episodes of ~47 min each
- IMDb: 6.8/10
- Author’s Rating: 8/10
Short Description: A young woman who works in the government agrees to spy for the Americans. To find a Soviet agent. And this all happens right after the war. It’s such a dangerous game where every step could be the last. And, well, betrayal, betrayal, betrayal.
A mind-blowing scene: When the main character fights back. She’s so… well, she seems fragile, and then—bam!—she can stand up for herself. It was really cool. I honestly didn’t expect it.
Author’s Comment: This series is just a treasure! It’s so atmospheric; it captures the era so brilliantly. I, you know, felt like I was in that post-war London. Emma Appleton, well, she just… I believed her. She played this role so well that I was in awe. And it has everything I love: political games, conspiracies, and, of course, love. In my opinion, this is the best spy series from this selection. And I highly, highly recommend it if you love such stories. Not Bond, but the emotions are no less.
10. Treason (2022)
- Director: Louise Hooper, Sarah O’Gorman
- Starring: Charlie Cox, Olga Kurylenko, Oona Chaplin
- Genre: Spy Thriller
- Duration: 5 episodes of ~40 min each
- IMDb: 7.2/10
- Author’s Rating: 8/10
Short Description: A man who works at MI6 gets a promotion. But suddenly… oh no! His past comes back. And his old connections with a Russian agent, played by our very own Ukrainian Olga Kurylenko, put him at risk. And he no longer understands who is a friend and who is an enemy. It’s, well, just something else. I was thrilled.
A mind-blowing scene: It’s probably the last scene of the series. It’s so… well, I don’t know how to describe it. It’s just shocking. You sit there and process everything that happened. I really love it when that happens. When you think you’ve figured it all out, and then… well, you’ll see.
Author’s Comment: I was very impressed with this series. It’s so dynamic that I couldn’t tear myself away. Charlie Cox, well, he’s just, well… I don’t know how to say it. He’s very cool. And Olga Kurylenko! She’s so mysterious that you’re constantly trying to understand what she wants. It seems to me that there are a lot of parallels here with our Ukrainian reality. When you don’t know who you can trust. A very, very good series. I recommend it if you love tension.
Summary: Netflix Miniseries – Why are they so captivating?
Well, how do you like the list? I hope you found something for yourself. I was surprised myself at how cool miniseries Netflix can release. I don’t know, maybe they just try to make their works of higher quality. But it’s a fact. These series, they all… well, they make you think. They don’t just entertain; they give you a chance to feel something. Tension, fear, joy, love. In my opinion, that’s what I look for in a film.
I hope my selection helps you find something to watch on the weekend. If you’ve already seen something from this list, write in the comments what you think? Or maybe you have your own favorite miniseries that I didn’t mention? I’m waiting for your recommendations!
Why are miniseries better than regular ones?
Well, first of all, they give you a finished story. You don’t have to wait a year for a sequel. And secondly, they won’t be canceled after the first season, as often happens with longer series. And that’s, well, very, very important.
Are all Netflix miniseries good?
Of course not. Just like everywhere, there are good ones and not-so-good ones. But in this list, I’ve gathered only those that, in my opinion, are worth watching. I personally watched all of them, so I can vouch for their quality. Honestly.
How long is a miniseries approximately?
Usually, it’s 4-8 episodes. Each is 40-60 minutes long. But there are exceptions, like “The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window” with very short episodes. Well, you can watch the whole thing in one evening.
I leave you with these thoughts, and remember, as Scorsese once said: “Cinema is not just an image. It’s a story that comes to life.” And I’m sure that each of these series is a true story. Watch, analyze, and share your impressions. And let’s find new masterpieces together!
If you liked this collection, share it with your friends! And if not, write to me what you didn’t like. I’m always open to criticism.
Author: ReelPoint
Think… Watch… Feel.
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