Sandman, new Netflix series, is an indisputable success. Signed by Neil Gaiman himself, and with a luxurious staging, it became the best adaptation of a comic on the platform. But he also did something else: he demonstrated the power of the fantasy genre in the world of film and streaming services. And more in Netflix movies.
This is a phenomenon worthy of interest. Two of the major releases expected by the end of the year belong to the world of fantasy. On the one hand, there is the house of the dragonthe long-awaited spin off of Game of Thrones, which will explore the history of the Targaryen house. At the other end, The Rings of Power, the first work set — not adapted — from the JRR Tolkien universe. And although both productions have little in common, they are united by a point of considerable importance: show that the fantasy genre is experiencing a golden moment thanks to streaming.
From gods, celestial beings, cosmic entities, to extraordinary lands full of violence and political intrigue. The renaissance of fantasy in the main online catalogs is not only evident but of fundamental interest. Netflix, in particular, took the forefront when delving into a new way of telling great adventures and fictions about imaginary worlds. Its catalog is full of options and a selection of great interest for lovers of the genre. We leave you five fantasy Netflix movies that are among our favorites.
gods of egypt
There was a time when gods walked the earth. Or at least, the great and ancient civilizations imagined it that way. Especially the Egyptian, who was completely convinced that their kings descended from the deity Ra. Director Alex Proyas took the premise head-on to create an amazing and fast-paced journey through this mysterious world. And he does it to show mythology from the point of view of fantasy.
The result is an entertaining, outrageous story and a tribute to great cultural symbols. Bek (Brenton Thwaites) is a petty thief who is not entirely convinced of the power of the gods. That is, until he finds himself involved in a cosmic palace intrigue due to the plotting of the God Seth to dethrone King Osiris. From that point on, the film takes a fast path between a sense of the absurd, but also, a peculiar look at the wonder of the intangible.
At the time of its premiere in 2016, the Netflix film faced harsh controversy. The reason? Most of its cast is made up of white actors. And perhaps, that was due to the indifference of the public and its unnoticed passage through the box office. All in all, this oddity with oversized divinities and a love story in tow it is entertaining enough to enjoy a good time. And without a doubt, a tribute — on a grand scale — to the world of fantasy.
Breast
In 2008, Andrés and Barbara Muschietti filmed a terrifying short film of just over three minutes that dazzled the public. The short story, appropriately titled Breast, told what seemed like the relationship of two emotional girls with a creepy entity. The production went viral and almost immediately, a resounding success among horror lovers on the internet. It wasn’t just an amazingly told story. Also of one, which created what seemed to be a new universe that deserved to be expanded and deepened.
And so it happened when the Mexican director Guillermo Del Toro was impressed by the result of the Netflix film. The following happened very quickly. By 2013, Muschietti was directing a long version of the short with del Toro as producer. It was a collaboration that gave rise to an unclassifiable feature film halfway between the codes of terror and the fantasy genre.
The film version explores that of the short on a new and much more terrifying level. When two girls end up marooned in a desolate forest, a chilling presence takes over their care. Years later and when they are finally rescued, the bond with the terrifying creature that protected them will be as strong as love. And although the film uses terrifying plot twists, its painful ending vindicates its place in the world of fantasy. A bittersweet farewell that puzzled and moved the public in equal parts.
The old guard
Immortality is an old desire of humanity and the film by Gina Prince-Bythewood, based on the homonymous comic by Greg Rucka, delves into the subject. But she does it from a curious and novel dimension that is of enormous interest. Andy (Charlize Theron) is the leader of a group of mercenaries, united by the eventuality that none of them are capable of dying. Or in any case they do not know exactly when the mysterious process that gave them immortality will stop. While that happens, they dedicate themselves to carrying out high-risk missions and, to the best of their ability, help humanity.
But all that will change when the enigma of his nature becomes more complicated. A new member of his select race has just manifested itself and now, the entire group commanded by Andy must search for him. As if that wasn’t enough he will also have to face a greedy scientific project in search of immortality. A complicated hunt that will lead the old team to join forces again and ask themselves transcendental questions about their lives and transcendence.
The Netflix film was a considerable success and a few months ago, it was announced that its second part was being recorded, again, with Charlize Theron in the lead. So it’s an ideal opportunity to enjoy the original and its strange take on mortality and the power of survival.
cat love
Junichi Sato and Tomotaka Shibayama’s Netflix movie is a love story. And it could just be a cute and funny romance like many in Japanese animations, if not for its background. The film, which begins as a friendly tour of the idea of spring romance, ends in a curious exploration of several different perspectives. On the one hand, the conception of intimacy, desire, fear and the search for a way to understand our identity.
On the other, what love can be in all its fullness powerful, strange and always fickle. Cat love is also an interesting conception of how we understand loneliness, isolation and sometimes reality. With a similar mix in its argument, the film is an eloquent journey, about several different dimensions, about the most intimate feelings.
In the end, the Netflix movie makes it clear that love is tangible, a powerful force capable of sustaining its own language. But also, a journey that requires courage and a powerful willpower. Perhaps the most interesting point of a deceptively simple film.
Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle
Andy Serkis has enough sensitivity to take to the classic of the jungle book Rudyard Kipling, to a new dimension. His work behind the camera not only gave the story an eloquent beauty. Also, a delicate look at the essence of this emotional story about nature, human nature and its relationship with the primitive.
As if that weren’t enough, the Netflix movie built a world where reality and fantasy coexist from a version of sublime and emotional beauty. Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle is much more than an adaptation. It’s also a sophisticated journey through a larger story that puts a new luster on its best-known landmarks. At the same time, delves into some completely unpublished.
The result is an extraordinary version of a classic for the whole family. One in which the sense of love, tenderness and endearing bonds is a powerful message. And also, a formidable fantasy world that sustains an emotional narrative of considerable power and sensitivity.