Now that summer has arrived, most of the shows I’ve been following have finished so I’ve been spending a lot more time on Netflix.
And that’s where you can find some of the programmes that I’ve been bingeing on over the last couple of weeks, which are all Netflix originals.
If you’re looking for something to watch, read on.
The Keepers
This powerful documentary series is about two retired women investigating the 1969 murder of a nun, Sister Cathy Cesnick, who taught at their Catholic school in Baltimore. With her death still unsolved, the friends have managed to uncover a shocking conspiracy that involves the police and the Catholic Church.
At times, The Keepers isn’t an easy documentary to watch. There are a lot of theories surrounding the murder of Sister Cesnick, but the main one involves a child abuse ring that operated in her school.
A number of the victims recount their experiences, so many years later. During the second episode in particular, I had to keep pausing the television because the intensity of the subject was difficult to deal with. But the series does something vital for these women in giving them a voice and allowing them to share their experiences, and you can see how important that has been for them.
Despite its difficult subject, this is a shocking and powerful documentary that uncovers some appalling behaviours, not just from the church but from the people who were charged with investigating both the murder and the abuse.
If thought Making a Murderer was a compelling series, you should watch The Keepers too.
Dear White People
A satirical comedy-drama that follows a group of African American students at a mostly white Ivy League college as they navigate the landscape of cultural bias and injustice.
This show has proved controversial, thanks in part to the title, which it shares with a radio show run by one of the characters who argues about racial injustice and discrimination on campus. Many people have been upset by the show’s depictions of racial inequality and easily offended social justice warriors. But give it a chance and there’s more to be found.
With each episode following a different character and showing events from a different perspective, it’s a character driven story that peels back the layers, revealing more about each student as the series goes on, exposing their secrets and insecurities.
Yes, there are stereotypes to be found here, but the series is knowing in the way it presents them. And it doesn’t let anyone off the hook for their behaviour.
Between
In the small town of Pretty Lake, a mysterious virus is infecting people. Soon everyone in the town over the age of 22 is dead and the remaining residents are in quarantine.
As they struggle to survive, a group of locals uncover a shocking secret that the government doesn’t want them to know.
Between is one of those random shows that caught my eye on Netflix when I had nothing to watch and I found myself binge watching it one weekend.
With a town abandoned by the government, full of teenagers and young children, it quickly descends into a Lord of the Flies style nightmare, with arguments over food that escalate into violence and vigilante justice.
Between is a dark and surprisingly engaging watch and with only six episodes a series, it’s easy to get sucked in to the action.
What have you been watching lately?
Stephanie Hartley says
I’ve really got back into Netflix recently, and The Keepers sounds amazing, if a little disturbing. I’ve just finished watching Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt on there, and I love the satire in it
Steph – http://www.nourishmeblog.co.uk
Amy Lord says
I’ve heard Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is good, it’s definitely on my list of things to watch! The Keepers is well worth a watch, but it is tough going at times.