Media Diet: Birthday Edition
Andrew Sharp wrote a piece several months ago titled Is Netflix Washed Now?.
He had lots of criticism of Netflix and how its audience drops off after the first season of a show. There is some truth to that. Several of the shows I have watched were cancelled or basically shelved after a season or two, which makes it difficult to feel invested in watching a new show. That has also happened with larger networks, as it did with Deadwood on HBO. But the bigger point that stood out to me is simple: outside its biggest hits, no one seems to talk much about the shows on Netflix.
The media and public tend to focus on HBO, AppleTV, Disney+, and, to a lesser degree, Amazon Prime. Netflix tends to get that attention when a big hit survives the first season and keeps building, like Stranger Things or Bridgerton.
One of Netflix’s strengths is how it can give international shows greater exposure around the world. Series like Money Heist (Spain) and Squid Game (South Korea) have been very successful for Netflix, with additional series branching off, including Berlin, localized versions of Money Heist, and Squid Game: The Challenge. Netflix does swing and miss often, with well-known actors starring in shows that seem rushed into production and lack the creative direction they deserve.
One example is The Woman in Cabin 10, a mystery-thriller starring Keira Knightley. We watched it over several nights and enjoyed it, but when I was looking over what we watched this year, I couldn’t recall anything about the film without looking it up, including who starred in it. Not a vote of confidence for a film.
That being said, there are some very good shows on there. Netflix still offers the best variety of shows compared to the other services, and I enjoy the international flavour you can find there. This year, I enjoyed shows based in Spain, South Korea, England, and Newfoundland (it’s like a different country to us).
It was also fun to see what was available in the Philippines versus Canada. All the Daniel Craig James Bond movies were on there, for example.
Instead of selecting only the shows you should definitely watch, I’m giving a rundown of almost everything I watched and grading it to help you decide whether to watch it or skip it.
THE BIRTHDAY EDITION / 2026
42 titles. My grades, from A++ down.
First, the big screen
The films I wanted to lead with.
Sinners
Let’s start here with the movie that set the record with 16 Oscar nominations, winning four: Best Actor (Michael B. Jordan), Best Original Screenplay (Ryan Coogler), Best Cinematography (Autumn Durald Arkapaw), and Best Original Score (Ludwig Göransson). I didn’t know much about it going in, and I think it’s best if you don’t either. The movie takes place in the Deep South in 1932 during the Jim Crow era. The story centres on twin brothers (played by Jordan) and is heavily influenced by blues music. I loved every minute of it. Highly recommended.
The Odyssey
I mentioned this in a post while travelling in the Philippines. It was my first IMAX experience, and I’m glad it was. The cinematography and soundtrack were exceptional, and the visuals were very impressive. It’s surely going to win a few Oscars next year. Definitely one to watch in a theatre or on as big a screen as possible.
Obsession & Weapons
Two horror-adjacent movies, both very well done and progressively creepy. Obsession is about a woman taking her attraction to a guy to a whole new level. It reminded me of The Blair Witch Project because of its low budget. The production value isn’t there, but the story and style very much are. Weapons could have been an episode of The X-Files. It’s a mystery about disappearing kids in a community, told from a few different points of view. I appreciated the overlapping stories that painted a bigger picture. Both films are very entertaining and not super gruesome.
Netflix
Reviews first, then the rest. Highest grades first within each group.
The Gentlemen
Take Succession but instead of inheriting a media empire, there is a family inheriting a large family estate in England with a large marijuana farm growing. Lots of character development with high-end gangsters and mafia members. It’s violent at times but very good. Renews for a third season.
Agent Kim Reactivated & Mercy for None
These two Korean series have the same lead actor. Both are very action-heavy, especially Mercy for None. Agent Kim is a story about a father searching for his missing daughter. Mercy for None is a revenge story about a man seeking the truth about his brother. Both are fast-moving. Agent Kim features more Korean comedy, which makes it very good. Start with that one, then watch Mercy for None.
Agent Kim Reactivated trailer ↗ Mercy for None trailer ↗
Bridgerton
It’s not normally something I’d watch, but it’s a fun series. Even better is watching my partner’s reaction to what’s happening between the couples. I’ll never forget her pacing around and trying to get the couple to have their first kiss. The soundtrack is full of great string covers of pop/rock songs from the last 30 years, all available on Spotify and Apple Music.
East of Eden
A historical story based on the novel written in the 1950’s by John Steinbeck. I wasn’t familiar with the story. It takes place in rural Connecticut during the 1880’s and then progressed across the country to the California valley where Steinbeck grew up. Costumes and cinematography are great, with some memorable characters and storyline. I’m confident that it will win some Emmy’s.
The Diplomat
I’ve seen this in the suggested list for a few years but kept ignoring it. I’m glad we gave it a chance because it’s a very good show. It reminds me of Succession with the character development without going to quite the extremes they did in that series. It’s centred around the new US diplomat to the United Kingdom. There’s a lot of political intrigue involving the Prime Minister, the President, and other levels of government. Bingeworthy show that was renewed for a 5th season.
Berlin and the Lady with an Ermine
The Spanish spinoff of Money Heist featuring the character Berlin. If you watch either of these series, make sure you watch in the original Spanish with subtitles. So much better than the dubbed version. Berlin is an expert thief, con man, romancer, and philosopher. The Spanish version of a rake. Styled the same as the original series, both seasons are very fun and easy to enjoy.
BEEF
Not as good as the first season, but still enjoyable. There’s a funny moment at the beginning that misleads you about what the beef is going to be. Definitely watch the first season if you haven’t yet.
Below
Filmed in Newfoundland, this series takes a big turn towards the supernatural that I didn’t really enjoy. It was fun to hear the Newfie accents, experience the culture (screeching, salted fish), and, of course, take in the breathtaking scenery. I learned something new about their history: whole communities were basically forced to move into larger communities in the 1950s–1970s. It was called the Newfoundland Settlement Program.
Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen
The story really grabs you and takes you on a journey I was not expecting. A lot of twists and turns in this psychological thriller about a bride-to-be meeting her fiancé’s family before the wedding.
Last Samurai Standing
HIS & HERS
The Night Agent
Billionaires' Bunker
Man on Fire
AppleTV
Reviews first, then the rest. Highest grades first within each group.
Slow Horses
One of my favourite shows ever. The most disgusting character, Jackson Lamb, is back for two more mysteries that are getting more entwined, bringing back some past characters, and a lot of dramatic twists. The way season 6 ends reminded me of all the talk long ago of “Who shot JR?” Lots of speculation which makes me love the show even more.
Dark Matter
Science fiction show involving multiple universes. It’s difficult to share the story without spoiling it. The show is based on a book for the first season, and the author was involved for the second season as well. Both are very good but definitely start with the first season.
Your Friends & Neighbours
Season 1 was very good which made the expectations for the second season to be higher. I think the second season was better than the first. Less episodic and more of a grander throughline in the series. Left on a good hanger too. The characters and acting are great. I find myself wanting more of this show often.
Lucky
Pluribus
Silo
Crave
Reviews first, then the rest. Highest grades first within each group.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
House of the Dragon
American Hostage
Euphoria
Prime Video
Reviews first, then the rest. Highest grades first within each group.
Fallout
More movies & specials
The rest of the films, documentaries, and comedy specials.
Mercy
Watched in Bangkok, in a honeymoon chair (a couch for two). The story has a lot of promise, but the direction it took seemed rather predictable.
Ballad of a Small Player
Jo Koy: Blue in the Face
Apex
Gladiator II
Marcello Hernández: American Boy
The Crash
The Rip
Joker: Folie Ă Deux
Mantis
The Woman in Cabin 10
War Machine
Streaming services are listed for Canada. Title links open official trailers; Jo Koy links to an official sneak peek.
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