Those weekend chores can wait a while longer—now is the time for relaxing and fun. To that end, I’ve rounded up three Netflix shows that received acclaim from both audiences and critics, and all are perfect entertainment for the next few days.
As someone who has watched a lot of TV, I can vouch for the quality of these series. I’ve seen every show from beginning to end, and they often come to mind when friends and family want a recommendation.
3
Arrested Development
When George Bluth Sr. is imprisoned for fraudulent activities involving his real estate business, his son Michael has to pick up the pieces, all the while dealing with his chaotic family. To keep the family together and appease his son, Michael and some of his relatives move into the company’s model home. Such is the premise for Arrested Development, a hilarious and unique sitcom from creator Mitchell Hurwitz.
The show features a cast that has gone from strength to strength since its 2003 premiere. There isn’t a weak link. Jason Bateman stars as straight man Michael, alongside Michael Cera as his well-meaning son, Will Arnett as his failed magician brother, and the late Jessica Walter as the booze-loving matriarch, to name a few. One of the show’s greatest pleasures are the scenes in which the entire family is together, with all their idiosyncrasies bouncing off each other.
While nowadays Netflix can be quick to cancel, the streamer actually resurrected Arrested Development. The show first aired on Fox for three seasons before the network dropped it, and it wasn’t until 2013 that Netflix picked up the mantle for two further seasons. The Netflix era is enjoyable, though not quite as good as what came before. Regardless, the show is a delight when taken as a whole.
2
Mr. Robot
Mr. Robot is not the type of show that you can have on in the background. It’s intense and demands your full attention. Rami Malek stars as Elliot Alderson, a computer engineer who is recruited by Christian Slater’s mysterious Mr. Robot to join his hacker group and help take down the world’s largest conglomerate. If that sounds intriguing, don’t research anything else about the story—part of the thrill comes from its unexpected nature.
Mr. Robot has a curious, uneasy tone. Some of that comes from the story and themes, but also from the production design and camera work—people are often positioned at the very edge of the frame. The sound design and synth-based score also add to the show’s carefully crafted presentation, which amounts to something you’re unlikely to have experienced elsewhere.
Malek is electric in the lead role, playing a troubled and complex character. Elliot has few friends and struggles with his mental health (which is tackled intensely). He dedicates most of his life to vigilante hacking, at which he’s incredibly talented. That aspect is portrayed realistically, too. While many shows simplify computers, Mr. Robot employed a team of professionals to ensure technical accuracy. Whether that matters to you or not, you can enjoy the show for the gripping, dark drama that it is.
1
Archer
Archer is a hilarious adult animated series about a group of spies. At the center of it all is the eponymous Sterling Archer, whose mother runs the agency. He’s arrogant, an alcoholic, a womanizer, and generally a liability—he’s also amazing at his job, much to the frustration of his colleagues. Then again, they’re not exactly stable either. The show follows their misadventures as they go on wacky missions, which typically result in them saving the day in the most dysfunctional manner.
Archer‘s humor is full of left-field pop culture references, wordplay, and repeated in-jokes. There are plenty of insults thrown around between the spies too. The entire voice cast elevates proceedings, but it’s particularly amusing to hear H. Jon Benjamin as the titular character. You may know him as the mild-mannered restaurateur in Bob’s Burgers, so it’s funny to have him using the same voice here for someone who is radically different.
The animation improves over the seasons, so don’t be put off if you find it too stilted at first. The show has a unique aesthetic that I think works well; the characters consist of simple colors and bold outlines, set against a highly detailed backdrop. It’s also not afraid to take risks with the story, with entire later seasons placing the gang in different settings and time periods. Assuming you don’t mind heaps of violence and swearing, Archer is the show for you.
These shows stand up no matter how you watch them, but I think they are best appreciated on a TV (watching Netflix on a phone is sacrilege in my opinion, but that’s a debate for another time). You don’t need fancy equipment to make that happen—there are several inexpensive ways to get Netflix on your TV.
- Subscription with ads
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Yes, $8/month
- Simultaneous streams
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Two or four
Stream all of these brilliant shows, along with plenty more licensed and original programming, with a monthly Netflix subscription.