My journey into film and TV shows expanded drastically in 2022 and this exploration exposed me to big cinema epics that I hadn’t ever heard of and underrated Netflix gems that have been overlooked. If you’re looking for something new to watch, whether that be animation, mystery or drama, this list has got you covered.

1. Cold War

I recently signed up to MUBI as my search for great films kept leading me back to this streaming service, I didn’t know where to start so I simply began to go for any films that jumped out to me. The monochromatic poster for Pawel Pawlikowski ‘Cold War’ immediately caught my attention and so I decided that this would be the film that I start out with. The star of this film is undoubtedly the music, the Polish folk songs create an almost ethereal atmosphere throughout the film which is starkly contrasted by the plot. Cold War follows the complicated relationship between Wiktor and Zula in a post WWW II Poland, the films shows how they navigate their love for each other and how their differences tear them apart over the years. The haunting cinematography will leave you in awe at its beauty and the stunning performances from Joanna Kulig and Tomasz Kot will make you completely fall in love with this film. It was different from anything I had seen previously but it is definitely worth a watch as it knows how to leave a lasting impression.

• Lupin

This French thriller on Netflix, is an underrated series that will hook you in from episode 1, this show knows how to keep you on the edge of your seat and there is never a dull moment. The show centers around its main character, Assane Diop, he is a charismatic yet humble thief who has heart and humour and becomes a character that you can’t help but route for, his propensity to trick and deceive through interchanging identities and slyly crafted plans are sure to keep you on the edge of seat as this series provides a constant thrill. For those that are fans of Sherlock and the classic ‘who done it’ genre, you’re sure to love this show as it merges mystery, action and drama to take you on an exhilarating ride that will make you make you hold your breath at times.

• The Mitchells vs The Machines

Next up is a Netflix movie that I stumbled across whilst looking for some light hearted nostalgic fun, akin to the animated movies of the 90s and 00s that I grew up with, The Mitchells vs The Machines is able to satisfy that nostalgic craving whilst also bringing something new to the table with its own distinct style. This animated family adventure takes you on a frenzied ride with wacky and weird characters in the wildly exciting world that they live in. We are first introduced to Katie Mitchell, who can’t wait to dart off to college and leave her boring family life behind, she’s all set to catch her flight to college until her ‘typical’ dad crushes this idea by deciding that they should have one last family road trip to send her off. This movie then takes you on a bonkers ride that sees the Mitchells fight off an AI takeover, the exuberant characters bursting across your screen are mirrored in the vibrant and electrifying imagery of this movie, it’s overflowing with chaos and pandemonium in an explosion of energy that allows you to escape for a couple of hours. Whilst this movie is pure unadulterated fun it also manages to pack in some interesting conversations about technology and family, making it more than a kids movie and something that all can enjoy.

• Bodyguard

Next up is BBC’s political thriller, ‘Bodyguard,’ this show focuses on PS David Budd and his new role as Principal Protection Officer for the controversial Home Secretary, Julia Montague. The show explores an array of hard hitting topics from government to war to PTSD and is packed with intensity and tension throughout. The gripping six-episode series is an easy binge watch as  once you start you won’t be able to stop. The shows sinister tone creates an uneasy atmosphere that always leaves you feeling slightly on edge as it delves deep into the psychological torment being experienced by its lead, whilst pulling off unexpected twists that will leave you absolutely obsessed with this show.

• The Worst Person in the World

If you’re a fan of Joachim Trier you will love this film but as someone who went into this film with fresh eyes, having never seen any of the Norwegian director’s work before, this film blew me away in a subtle yet impactful way. The story follows Julie, who is completely lost in every aspect of her life, the only thing that she is sure about is that she is unsure of everything around her. The film is deeply personable and manages to balance humour and heartbreak to create a grounding experience that pulls you back to reality, whilst mixing in hallucinatory and psychedelic fragments of the fantastical. The film explores the idea of identity and looks into the purpose of one’s life, its gentle and tender but still packs an emotional punch that lingers long after the film has finished. This was definitely one of my favourite movies that I’ve seen in the past year and is a strong recommendation on this list.

Check out Part 1 for more films and TV shows that you’re missing out on.