We’re not statisticians by any means (wait, what do those do again?), but by our count, Netflix adds approximately a billion titles every month. That’s a lot of shows to sift through, so we got our TV-addled brains together to highlight the best options. This month, that includes older gems that are worth a rewatch like Friday Night Lights and Breaking Bad; timelier fare such as Heartstopper, Dan Da Dan, and Nobody Wants This; and, to mark spooky season, a great Mike Flanagan horror series.
Note: This list was updated on October 26, 2024. It will update monthly.
October spotlight: The Haunting Of Hill House
Stars: Carla Gugino, Kate Siegel, Michael Huisman, Elizabeth Reaser, Victoria Pedretti, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Henry Thomas
Number of seasons: 1
There’s no better way to spend Halloween month than devouring Mike Flanagan’s various terrific Netflix shows . While there are five “emotionally fucked-up takes on horror” to choose from, the best of the lot is still his first venture, The Haunting Of Hill House. This gripping drama about the Crain family has plenty of twists and turns, not to mention deaths, ghosts, and jump scares. Hill House works because it weaves a tragic, moving story into its extremely supernatural setting. Don’t miss it.
Arrested Development (Fox: 2003-2005, Netflix: 2014-2019)
Stars: Jessica Walter, Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, Portia de Rossi, Jeffrey Tambor, Michael Cera, Alia Shawkat, Tony Hale, David Cross
Number of seasons on Netflix: 5
In Arrested Development, the dysfunctional Bluth family goes broke after patriarch George Sr. (Tambor) is arrested. The iconic comedy was ahead of its time when it premiered on Fox. While Netflix’s reboot doesn’t come close to the show’s original run, it still makes for a long, strange, funny binge thanks to an ace comedic cast, Ron Howard’s narration, and endless running gags: the banana stand, the chicken dance, “Her?” Honestly, we could go on.
Baby Reindeer (Netflix: 2024)
Stars: Richard Gadd, Jessica Gunning, Nava Mau
Number of seasons on Netflix: 1
Richard Gadd turns his horrifying experience of being stalked into one of the most original shows of the year. To quote Saloni Gajjar’s essay on the series: “Its success has pushed the Scottish actor into the limelight in the same way I May Destroy You rightfully did to Michaela Coel. Gadd’s work is tonally similar to HBO’s IMDY—both tackle heavy topics of sexual assault, trauma, and recovery with an empathetic, well-rounded lens.”
Beckham (Netflix: 2023)
Subjects: David Beckham, Victoria Beckham, Fisher Stevens, Gary Neville
Number of seasons on Netflix: 1
Multi-hyphenate Fisher Stevens leaps from in front of the camera for Succession to (mostly) behind it for this frenetic, fun, fascinating, and stylish docuseries. Like The Last Dance, Beckham can feel like an adrenaline shot of a time capsule in its telling of the story of one of the most famous athletes of all time. Similar to that heralded series, this one absolutely delivers when it comes to showing and reliving its main guy’s (in this case, Becks’) biggest moments.
Beef (Netflix: 2023-)
Stars: Steven Yeun, Ali Wong, Joseph Lee, Young Mazino, David Choe, Patti Yasutake
Number of seasons on Netflix: 1
Beef, starring Steven Yeun and Ali Wong as two Angelenos whose lives spiral out of control after a road rage incident, is one of the most exciting TV shows to debut last year. To quote Saloni Gajjar’s review: “Beef’s endearing crux isn’t the suspense, which does keep you on the hook until the end. It’s the daring script that’s elevated by flawless performances from both actors.” Beef season two is in the works.
Better Call Saul (AMC: 2015-2022)
Stars: Bob Odenkirk, Jonathan Banks, Rhea Seehorn, Patrick Fabian, Michael Mando, Giancarlo Esposito
Number of seasons on Netflix: 6
It’s kind of incredible to think that Bob Odenkirk hadn’t even heard of Breaking Bad when he was asked to take on the role of shady lawyer Saul Goodman. (He says he caught up with the series on the plane ride over to New Mexico before shooting season two.) Since that flight, the character has become iconic and the namesake of this spinoff, which over six remarkable seasons proved to be more patient but just as beautifully shot as the aughts masterpiece from which it sprung, not to mention a real testament to how flesh out a character that at first felt like comic relief.
Black Mirror (Channel 4: 2011–2014; Netflix: 2016-)
Stars: Annie Murphy, Salma Hayek, Myha’la Herrold, Aaron Paul, Zazie Beetz, Anjana Vasan
Number of seasons on Netflix: 6
Charlie Brooker’s bleak anthology series returned after a four-year break to drop its sixth batch in 2023. Here’s a bit from the review of that season: “It’s the sort of TV that demands you put away your phone and pay attention, quite frankly. And, after the show’s divisive fifth batch (which prompted many to accuse it of overstaying its welcome), we are genuinely relieved to see it back on form.” Season seven is on its way.
BoJack Horseman (Netflix: 2014-2020)
Stars: Will Arnett, Alison Brie, Paul F. Tompkins, Aaron Paul, Amy Sedaris
Number of seasons on Netflix: 6, plus a special
BoJack Horseman, the brilliant animated dramedy about a has-been ’90s sitcom star who also happens to be an anthropomorphic horse, might just be the deepest series Netflix has ever produced, tackling alcoholism, drug addiction, death, depression, fame, childhood trauma, betrayal, failure, and on and on and on. The series is also, we should add, very, very funny.
Breaking Bad (AMC: 2008-2013)
Stars: Bryan Cranston, Anna Gunn, Aaron Paul, Dean Norris, Betsy Brandt, RJ Mitte
Number of seasons on Netflix: 5
Even a decade-plus after its finale, Breaking Bad still manages to hit like no other show, making it a perfect rewatch, chock full of white-knuckle, worst-case-scenario moments that are hard to shake. A simple, head-turning premise—a milquetoast, mild-mannered high-school chemistry teacher (Cranston) becomes a murderous meth kingpin—somehow managed to keep all the thrills going season after season as the stakes became increasingly higher. But the show is so much more than tight cat-and-mouse plotting, with some of the most beautiful cinematography ever seen on the small screen.
Bridgerton (Netflix: 2020-)
Stars: Jonathan Bailey, Simone Ashley, Adjoa Andoh, Ruth Gemmell, Polly Walker, Nicola Coughlan, Claudia Jessie, Phoebe Dynevor, Regé-Jean Page, Julie Andrews, Ruby Barker
Number of seasons on Netflix: 3
Based on Julia Quinn’s novels of the same name, Netflix’s Bridgerton elevated Regency-era romance to an unprecedented level of bingeability. Each season of this sparkling series from Shonda Rhimes lets a Bridgerton sibling take the lead and look for love under the eyes of the scrupulous Queen. Applying signature Shondaland finesse, this seemingly staid premise soon gives way to sexy and scandalous adventures that are quite addicting. The back half of the show’s third season arrived in June.
Carol & The End Of The World (Netflix: 2023)
Stars: Martha Kelly, Beth Grant, Lawrence Pressman, Kimberly Hébert Gregory, Mel Rodriguez, , Michael Chernus
Number of seasons on Netflix: 1
Carol & The End Of The World, the adult-animated miniseries created by Dan Guterman, follows Carol (voiced by comedy stalwart Martha Kelly) who—you guessed it—grapples in her own way with the impending end of the world. Here’s a bit from our review: “As the months tick down to doomsday, Carol comes to realize that what she’s really looking for is a chance to foster connections with her fellow outsiders—the ones who feel more at home drinking stale coffee in a windowless break room than sipping Mai Tais on a sun-kissed beach in Tahiti. And as her scope of awareness expands, so does the show’s. Some of the miniseries’ most profound moments come when we pull away from her point of view to focus on the lives around her.”
Cunk On Earth (BBC Two: 2022)
Stars: Diane Morgan
Number of seasons on Netflix: 1
This British import, which originally aired on BBC Two, is one of the funniest series on the streamer, full stop. Diane Morgan, showcasing incredibly deft comedic timing, plays our out-of-her-depth host, Philomena Cunk, who sits down with people who actually know what they’re talking about to take us on a journey through world history. If you’re a fan of any of Alan Partridge’s stuff, this Charlie Brooker-created mockumentary is for you.
Dan Da Dan (Netflix: 2024-)
Stars: Abby Trott, A.J. Beckles, Barbara Goodson, Ben Diskin, Aleks Le, Lisa Reimold
Number of seasons: 1
Based on Yukinobu Tatsu’s manga of the same name, Dan Da Dan centers on two teens who make a bet about whether ghosts and aliens exist. In a quest to prove who is right, they make an unlikely friendship and are forced to fight supernatural creatures. The A.V. Club‘s review notes that Dan Da Dan “bursts with irreverent humor, kinetic action, terrifying imagery, and heart.”
Dead To Me (Netflix: 2019-2022)
Stars: Christina Applegate, Linda Cardellini, James Marsden, Max Jenkins, Sam McCarthy, Luke Roessler
Number of seasons on Netflix: 3
Dead To Me, the black comedy starring Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini as odd-couple friends, bit the dust in 2022 with an unusually tender third season. Here’s a bit from our review of it: “In hindsight, it’s not surprising that a show about remorse and heartbreak wraps up in a tear-jerker series finale. It’s more overly sentimental and predictable than expected, sure, but Jen and Judy’s undying love was always the driving force. And Applegate and Cardellini sell the hell out of it, balancing comedic and emotional beats.”
The Decameron (Netflix: 2024-)
Stars: Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Jessica Plummer, Tony Hale, Zosia Mamet, Amar Chadha-Patel, Leila Farzad
Number of seasons on Netflix: 1
This dark comedy is set in a Tuscan villa during the Black Plague and puts a dishy, hilarious twist on classical literature. To quote Jenna Scherer’s review of the first season: “It’s a blast that’s by turns satirical, tender, savage, and existentially profound. Imagine mashing up the anachronistic comedy of Dickinson, the medieval brutality of Game Of Thrones, the horniness of Bridgerton, the upstairs-downstairs drama of Downton Abbey, the slapstick socialism of Monty Python And The Holy Grail, and the sadistic class warfare of Triangle of Sadness, and you’ll have a rough idea of what you’re in for.”
Derry Girls (Channel 4: 2018-2022)
Stars: Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Nicola Coughlan, Louisa Harland, Jamie-Lee O’Donnell, Dylan Llewellyn, Siobhán McSweeney, Tara Lynne O’Neille, Tommy Tiernam
Number of seasons on Netflix: 3
Lisa McGee’s electric Irish-teen comedy is specifically set during the Troubles in Northern Ireland, but it has a universal appeal in how it portrays the coming-of-age years of its central heroines. In the show, a group of Catholic school girls navigate school, faith, crushes, and family dynamics, all while being ridiculously funny.
Friday Night Lights (NBC: 2006-2011)
Stars: Kyle Chandler, Connie Britton, Taylor Kitsch, Jesse Plemons, Aimee Teegarden, Gaius Charles, Adrianne Palicki, Michael B. Jordan
Number of seasons on Netflix: 5
This series that transcended both high-school and sports shows (and seemed to be almost tailor-made for viewers who don’t particularly like those genres?) has a lot going for it: some charming young talent, a strong aesthetic thanks its three-camera-and-minimal-blocking setup, an authentic-feeling small-town backdrop, a very good score and soundtrack, and, as just about everyone who enjoys the show has commented, maybe the best married couple on TV in the form of Coach and Tami Taylor. Those locker-room speeches are pretty damn good, too.
Gilmore Girls (The WB: 2000-2006, The CW: 2006-2007)
Stars: Lauren Graham, Alexis Bledel, Kelly Bishop, Edward Herrmann, Scott Patterson, Milo Ventimiglia, Keiko Agena, Sean Gunn, Melissa McCarthy
Number of seasons on Netflix: 7, plus reunion miniseries Gilmore Girls: A Year In The Life
No place on television feels like home quite the way Stars Hollow feels like home. Set in a quaint Connecticut town, Gilmore Girls unpacks the conversation and coffee-heavy dynamic between a mother-daughter duo navigating the pressures of girlhood and womanhood in tandem. In the periphery, a lovable cast of neighbors ebbs and flows to create a warm snowglobe-type effect that never fails to produce the warm and fuzzies.
Girls5eva (Peacock: 2021-2022; Netflix: 2024-)
Stars: Renée Elise Goldsberry, Sara Bareilles, Paula Pell, Busy Phillips, Daniel Breaker, Andrew Rannels, Ashley Park, Erika Henningsen
Number of seasons on Netflix: 3
Created by Meredith Scardino, Girls5eva is a great time. The musical comedy about four members of a ’90s one-hit-wonder girl band who reunite in the present day for their second shot at fame will have you in splits. Girls5eva is chock-full of hilarious original songs, from “Famous 5eva” to “Dream Girlfriends” to “New York Lonely Boy,” that are instant earworms. And it also carries the effortless energy of co-producer Tina Fey’s other projects, including 30 Rock and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.
Heartstopper (Netflix: 2022-)
Stars: Joe Locke, Kit Connor, Yasmin Finney, William Gao, Olivia Colman, Corinna Brown, Kizzy Edgell, Tobie Donovan
Number of seasons on Netflix: 3
Alice Oseman’s adaptation of her graphic novels has a lot going for it: Heartstopper is at once a cute, coming-of-age rom-com and deep drama, tackling weighty issues with realism and, yes, heart. We dare you to stop smiling as Charlie (Locke) and Nick (Connor) find love against all odds. The show’s stirring third season arrived ein October.
I Think You Should Leave With Tim Robinson (Netflix: 2019-)
Stars: Tim Robinson, Patti Harrison, Tim Heidecker, Conner O’Malley, Sam Richardson
Number of seasons on Netflix: 3
We love this inventive show so much that we ranked every sketch from the first two seasons. As for season three, which dropped in 2023? That received the coveted A grade in our review, which notes: “It’s not all screaming and big reactions that populate these sketches, although those may stand out most after your first watch. Upon subsequent viewings, be sure to catch the tiny nods, the looks of embarrassment that sweep across the characters’ faces, lines of background dialogue, and the polite group chuckle that swells after each half-joke delivered by workshop leaders, tour guides, and the like.”
Insecure (HBO: 2016-2021)
Stars: Issa Rae, Yvonne Orji, Natasha Rothwell, Amanda Seales, Jay Ellis, Y’Lan Noel, Alexander Hodge
Number of seasons on Netflix: 5
In a big first for Netflix, the streamer acquired HBO’s charming hit Insecure. Issa Rae and Larry Wilmore knocked it out of the park by adapting Rae’s web series, Awkward Black Girl, into a TV show that tracked Issa’s evolution and navigated multiple love stories. The show’s real draw, though, was the central friendship between Issa and Molly (Orji). There’s no heartbreak bigger than a BFF breakup, and Insecure understood that well. Plus, Rae’s raps are always a fun time.
The Last Dance (ESPN: 2020)
Subjects: Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Steve Kerr, Phil Jackson
Number of seasons on Netflix: 1
Tiger King may have been the docuseries that first took over the culture at the start of the lockdown in spring 2020—but it wasn’t the best. That distinction goes to The Last Dance, which felt like a necessary watch whether or not you cared about the Bulls, Chicago, Michael Jordan, the NBA, very-’90s fashions, or even the notion of organized sports. Packed with never-before-seen footage, the series, which centers on the team’s championship 1997-1998 season, is expertly crafted, engaging, and addicting. We could have watched another 10 episodes, truth be told.
Lockwood & Co. (Netflix: 2023-)
Stars: Ruby Stokes, Cameron Chapman, Ali Hadji-Heshmati, Michael Clarke, Ivanno Jeremiah, Luke Treadaway
Number of seasons on Netflix: 1
This supernatural thriller, developed by Attack The Block helmer Joe Cornish, chronicles a crew of teenage ghost hunters in the U.K., including one played by standout newcomer Cameron Chapman. Here’s a bit from our review: “All in all, Lockwood is an appealing blend of noir-tinged detective tale, horror, and lowkey teen drama with just the right amount of witty banter. Both grim and cozy, it’s the TV equivalent of a strange old bookshop hidden down a London side street.”
Mindhunter (Netflix: 2017-2019)
Stars: Jonathan Groff, Holt McCallany, Anna Torv, Hannah Gross, Stacey Roca
Number of seasons on Netflix: 2
As if Zodiac didn’t already make the case, with Mindhunter, David Fincher reminds us that if he only made titles about serial killers and the stiff-suit-wearing investigators chasing them going forward, that would be just fine by us. The director helmed several episodes of the show, which follows odd-couple agents (Jonathan Groff and Holt McCallany) and a psychology prof (Anna Torv) in the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit, and revived a lot of his visual and thematic hallmarks.
Never Have I Ever (Netflix: 2020-2023)
Stars: Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Poorna Jagannathan, Richa Moorjani, Darren Barnet, Jaren Lewison, Lee Rodriguez, Ramona Young, Sendhil Ramamurthy, Niecy Nash
Number of seasons on Netflix: 4
Mindy Kaling and Louie Lang’s Never Have I Ever is the rare fun teen dramedy with an Indian American family that also subverts South Asian stereotypes. Devi Vishwakumar (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan) is a high schooler struggling with grief after her father’s death. NHIE handles her coming-of-age issues with relatable vulnerability and relieving bouts of humor. Plus, Ramakrishnan is just an ingenious breakout star.
Nobody Wants This (Netflix: 2024-)
Stars: Adam Brody, Kristen Bell, Justine Lupe, Timothy Simons, Jackie Tohn, Sherry Cola, Tovah Feldshuh
Number of seasons: 1
It’s about damn time Adam Brody got to play a charming romantic lead. In Nobody Wants This, he portrays hot rabbi Noah, who falls head over heels for Joanne (Kristen), a provocative podcast host. As their relationship gets serious, both of them must contend with what it takes to make this unlikely romance last, even if it means battling their family’s expectations. Nobody Wants This has already received a season-two renewal.
O.J.: Made In America (ESPN: 2016)
Subjects: O.J. Simpson, Nicole Brown, Ron Goldman, Marcia Clark, Mark Fuhrman, Barry Scheck
Number of seasons on Netflix: 1
Ezra Edelman’s captivating docuseries—one that, with its nearly eight-hour runtime, is the longest Oscar winner ever—is a masterclass in scope and somehow turns its dissection of the murder trial that gripped a nation into a portrait of something much deeper, larger, and more complicated.
One Day (Netflix: 2024)
tars: Ambika Mod, Leo Woodall
Number of seasons on Netflix: 1
We’re in something of a rom-com renaissance these days. If you need more proof, look no further than this dreamy miniseries as it unpacks the central on-again-off-again romance over 20 years. Here’s a bit from our review: “The real treat of this adaptation is its perfectly cast leads. Mod’s expressive face takes us on many an emotional journey throughout Emma’s turbulent twenties. Woodall, meanwhile, radiates such warm charm that it’s completely understandable why everyone in the show wants to be Dexter’s friend or lover.”
The Queen’s Gambit (Netflix: 2020)
Stars: Anya Taylor-Joy, Marielle Heller, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Bill Camp, Moses Ingram, Harry Melling, Rebecca Root
Number of seasons on Netflix: 1
Based on Walter Tevis’ 1983 novel of the same name, this coming-of-age dramedy chronicles the evolution of the (regrettably fictional) chess prodigy Beth Harmon. Combining the pulsing intensity of ambition with the interiority of strategy games, The Queen’s Gambit is one of those pandemic sensations that holds up stunningly well in the metaphorical light of day. At just seven episodes, it’s a tight story with a flourishing finish you won’t soon forget.
Ripley (Netflix: 2024-)
Stars: Andrew Scott, Dakota Fanning, Johnny Flynn, Eliot Sumner, Margherita Buy, Maurizio Lombardi
Number of seasons on Netflix: 1
The Night Of’s Steven Zaillian cooks up another thrilling adaptation with Ripley, a sumptuous, tense, striking take on Patricia Highsmith’s famed novel The Talented Mr. Ripley. Here’s a bit from our review: “Zaillian gives the work texture through Oscar-winning cinematographer Robert Elswit’s striking black-and-white photography, which is so achingly crisp that lines on each actor’s face are as craterous as the cracks along the walls of Atrani’s decaying architecture.”
Russian Doll (Netflix: 2019-)
Stars: Natasha Lyonne, Charlie Barnett, Yul Vazquez, Elizabeth Ashley, Greta Lee, Rebecca Henderson, Dasha Polanco
Number of seasons on Netflix: 2
In this killer series, Natasha Lyonne stars as Nadia, a snarky New York City woman who finds herself trapped in a Groundhog Day-style time loop. This puzzle box of a show delivers a never-ending treasure trove of questions to be answered and matches that surface-level satisfaction with some real emotion. Check out our review of the show’s stellar second season.
Scott Pilgrim Takes Off (Netflix: 2023-)
Stars: Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Satya Bhabha, Kieran Culkin, Chris Evans, Anna Kendrick, Brie Larson
Number of seasons on Netflix: 1
The cast of Edgar Wright’s 2010 film Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World got back together for this genre-hopping anime series. Here’s a bit from our review: “Graphic novelist Bryan Lee O’Malley is still capable of crafting a deeply romantic story about those giddy moments when you suspect something really good is about to happen. This version of that story might be more skeptical about the enduring power of twentysomething lovers than it was when its co-author was one himself—but it’s also become kinder and more mature in the process, no longer willing to dismiss anyone as ‘just’ an Evil Ex.”
Seinfeld (NBC: 1989-1998)
Stars: Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Michael Richards, Jason Alexander
Number of seasons on Netflix: 9
Created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld, this iconic American sitcom follows four friends living in New York City who—for better or worse—kind of just hang out. Stupidly funny and timelessly recognizable, the show continues to set the bar for comedy years after it last aired. So double-dip that chip. Revel in the joy of Festivus. Take counsel from Sagman, Bennett, Robbins, Oppenheim, and Taft. It’s never too late or early for a Seinfeld watch.
Sense8 (Netflix: 2015-2017)
Stars: Bae Doona, Jamie Clayton, Tina Desai, Tuppence Middleton, Brian J. Smith, Miguel Ángel Silvestre, Max Riemelt, Aml Ameen, Toby Onwumere
Number of seasons on Netflix: 2, plus a Christmas special
Lana and Lilly Wachowski’s global sci-fi drama unsurprisingly features labyrinthine mysteries. In it, eight strangers born on the same day in different parts of the world share a psychic connection. As they try to adapt to this discovery, a sinister organization hunts them all down. Engagingly complicated, Sense8 is beautifully shot and embraces authentic queer and diverse characters in exciting ways.
Squid Game (Netflix: 2021-)
Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Park Hae-soo, Wi Ha-joon, HoYeon Jung, O Yeong-su, Heo Sung-tae
Number of seasons on Netflix: 1
South Korean thriller Squid Game has evolved into one of Netflix’s most popular originals—and for good reason. The survival drama is full of shocks, fatal twists, and heartbreaks as 456 lower-class players risk their lives for a chance to win billions of dollars. But, as our essay points out, “it hides bitter anti-capitalist satire beneath blood-soaked kids’ games.” The show returns with season two on December 26.
Stranger Things (Netflix: 2016-)
Stars: Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Finn Wolfhard, Millie Bobby Brown, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Noah Schnapp, Sadie Sink
Number of seasons on Netflix: 4
The Duffer Brothers’ love letter to ’80s movies and the childhood thrills of that decade took off—and took over the culture—like few Netflix shows have. Here’s a bit from our review of the most recent batch of episodes: “Thanks to a powerhouse ensemble, Stranger Things overcomes its hurdles to punch out season four with an electrifying, tear-jerking finale. Jumping between multiple narratives might seem arduous (and at times, it is), but patience is well-rewarded here.” The show will end with its upcoming fifth season.
When They See Us (Netflix: 2019)
Stars: Michael K. Williams, Vera Farmiga, Felicity Huffman, Niecy Nash, Blair Underwood, John Leguizamo, Christopher Jackson, Joshua Jackson
Number of seasons on Netflix: 1
Ava DuVernay devastated audiences in 2019 with her painful yet poignant dramatizing of the infamous Central Park jogger case, the stain on the American justice system that saw five Black and Latino teenagers wrongly accused of assaulting and raping a woman in Manhattan in 1989. Their stories remain as tinely as ever, and DuVernay’s retelling delivers a uniquely gut-wrenching blend of sobering realism and cinematic sensationalism that should leave practically every viewer moved.