Netflix recently uploaded an abundance of new television shows and movies for their viewers to enjoy. One section that they really focused on was ‘Documentaries.’ Netflix’s variety of new documentaries range from films about eating right and our planet Earth, to murder cases, to even how our brain works and why we lie. The new selection is making headlines as the films create a new spark among viewers, especially in the Staples community.
“Audrie & Daisy” was recently released, a powerful documentary about two different sexual assault cases that both became very well known due to social media. Although it may be difficult to watch for some, the message it gets across is something that should be taught everywhere.
”I watched this after my mom had suggested it to me. It was honestly one of the most intense documentaries I have ever seen, because it goes through the victim’s story and all the emotions both girls felt. I felt like I was watching the case unravel,” Sophie Epstein ‘17 said. This is most likely one of Netflix’s best documentaries, even receiving an 85 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.
The Amanda Knox case made world-wide headlines in 2007 when Amanda Knox’s roommate was murdered in Italy while both girls were studying abroad. Brian McGinn and Rod Blackhurst created an “unbiased’ documentary, letting the viewer decide which side they believe is right. “It was a really interesting documentary that always kept me interested. I hadn’t known about the full case before I watched it, so I didn’t know what was going to happen next as I watched it,” Matt Tanzer ‘19 said.
Maddie Jones ‘17 had a stronger opinion on the film, “I think that the whole thing was super fishy, and I am convinced she was the murderer. It was a super interesting film to see the whole investigation and what everyone had to say, but after watching it I definitely think she isn’t innocent, which upsets me because she now is walking free.”
The documentary “(Dis)Honesty: The Truth About Lies” goes through many different trials where you get so see where humans are more likely to lie, and why. The experiments are directed by behavioral economist, Dan Ariely. It goes through personal stories, expert opinions, and behavioral experiments. Bri Rotella ‘17 watched it after taking the class Intro to Psychology, “It was so interesting to understand what goes through people’s heads and why they make the decisions. Lying is something everyone does, but the film shows when it’s more likely for someone to lie, which is what I found to be super interesting.”
Vanessa Eng ‘18 also saw this documentary, “It was definitely very educational, but something that taught me a lot about why humans lie. It’s funny to see the experiments being conducted, because many of the volunteers lie and are not aware they are in a documentary about humans lying.”
“The 13th” is also one of Netflix’s new documentaries they released this year. This film is named after the 13th amendment in our constitution, which abolished slavery. But in this documentary the director “shines a harsh light on the truth about mass incarceration” according to ‘The Daily Beast.’ The film shows how prisons are now being overcrowded with many nonviolent drug offenders, and the treatment they receive.
“It was a very scary reality shock of what’s going on with mass incarceration. The truth about how inmates are treated, especially many that committed such little felonies but are put in these huge prisons that are full just because they are african american,” said Nikki Benjamin ‘17
There are plenty of new documentaries to watch on Netflix, and if you ever find yourself with some free time I highly suggest watching any one that seems interesting to you.
