Goodbyes are sometimes unavoidable and looking forward is the best way ahead.
A perfect example of this is the arrival of the New Year, when we leave behind 365 days of our life and welcome the next lot, one day at a time with smiles, cheers, and hope that tomorrow will be better.
Enough with the motivation, let’s now get to the business. 2023 has been a year to remember for the creative realm.
We have had so many shows that brought our life to a standstill, in a positive way. They inspired us, thrilled us, and also made us cry.
As you know, I have a knack for writing about cinema. So, I decided to bring a list of my 2023 Netflix recommendations.
In this blog, I will be focusing on the 15 Netflix shows that you must cover if you haven’t yet.
Just keep in mind that these are my personal suggestions and even if they have poor ratings elsewhere, who cares?
Obviously, there may be better shows that I haven’t watched.
But, looking back, I must clarify that I skipped the majority of shows that were released in Jan 2023.
Moreover, the list caters to standalone series and not successive seasons. For example, even though Manifest is a great series, you won’t find it here because it first premiered in 2018.
And honestly, it was tough to leave out some amazing creations. But I had to let go. Please feel free to add on through the comments section.
15. 6ixtynin9
Financially broken after getting fired from her job, Toom finds a bag full of cash at her doorstep.
She realizes the seriousness of the situation only when the real owners of the money return to take it back.
The Thai show is the remake of a 1999 movie by the same name. If you are wondering why is it called 6ixtynin9, the reason is Toom’s apartment number.
Though it is 6, the loosely hung number plate turns upside down whenever the door is pushed with force.
Hence, it appears 9 after a 180-degree turn. Not just crime, 6ixtynin9 also brings offbeat comedy to the table.
It is deadpan in nature and provokes you on several occasions. For me, the pace was an issue but the unique nature of the plot did the trick.
Lastly, if you cannot write its name in one go, you are not alone, bro.
Number of Episodes: 6
Total Duration: ~5 hours
Stars: Devika Hoorne, Amornaek Micheli, and others.
14. GyeongSeong Creature
This one is fresh out of the oven, having premiered in the last week of December 2023.
I desperately wanted to push it higher on the list, but the fact that it is yet to complete the first season stopped me from doing so.
The story revolves around the time of World War II when the Japanese army was trying to silence the growing rebellion taking place in the GyeongSeong region.
To achieve their goals, they start conducting scientific experiments on the Joseon people held captive in an underground prison facility.
The army men strike gold when one of the test subjects shows positive results and turns into a Monster who can be of use to them.
Apart from this, two underlying stories bring together Jang Tae-sang and Yoon Chae-ok.
You will love the small-town setup and the typical picturesque vibrance associated with Korean shows.
Moreover, VFX is top-notch as well.
The second part of the Korean show is set to arrive in the first week of January 2024.
Number of Episodes: 10 (7+3)
Total Duration: ~8 hours (Part 1)
Stars: Park Seo-jun and Han So-hee
13. 1670
I am not sure how many of you may have heard of 1670.
So, for starters, it is a Mockumentary from Poland that was released in December 2023. On the face of it, the show is witty.
But what will capture your attention is its highly offbeat nature. Set in Poland in 1670, the series introduces a nobleman in Jan Pawel Adamczewski.
Thanks to his ancestors, he owns a share of a village called Adamczycha. Many peasants work under him without decent pay, of course.
Can you guess his priority? To maintain class divisions. 1670 is an unassuming show that doesn’t give a damn about holding back.
It shoots one-liners, weird characters, and peculiar situations in your face. And guess what, the series succeeds in making you laugh out loud.
If you are looking for a comedy show that’s actually offbeat and funny, 1670 it is.
Don’t forget to ‘make yourself at barn.’
Number of Episodes: 8
Total Duration: ~4 hours
Stars: Bartlomiej Topa, Katarzyna Herman, and Martyna Byczkowska
12. The Night Agent
Finally, the first American show on my list is here, and I am quite sure you have already watched it.
The Night Agent is based on a novel and follows an FBI Agent who has the useless job of monitoring an emergency phone line at the White House.
One night, he receives a call that suggests a fishy plot against the country. Then, obviously, begins the quest to save America.
Its brisk screenplay will hook you to the screen while the suspenseful plot will unfold in the best possible manner.
Number of Episodes: 10
Total Duration: ~8 Hours
Stars: Gabriel Basso, Lucianne Buchanan, and Fola Evans-Akingbola
11. Maestro in Blue
Here is another underdog that not many would have heard of. With its origins in Greece, the series brings a dark narration enveloped in a sumptuous storyline.
Orestis lands on a small island for a music festival and his handsome mien attracts several eyeballs, including that of Klelia, who is thirty years younger than him.
Maestro in Blue is a musical thriller that takes turns at almost every stage.
It is quiet when needed, fierce when desired, and consciously fascinating as a whole.
The remorse that it leaves you with is something rarely seen on the screen. Here is a trivia: Maestro in Blue is the first Greek show on Netflix.
I mean why is there just one. Bring them on, man!
Number of Episodes: 9
Total Duration: ~9 hours
Stars: Christoforos Papakaliatis, Haris Alexiou, and Maria Kavoyianni
10. Kohrra
In several ways, 2023 belonged to Indian shows on Netflix. Not just in quantity, but also in quality, Hindi series had a year to remember.
Coming back to the subject, I was so moved by some scenes in Kohrra that I almost forgot it was fiction.
Varun Sobti’s poignant acting and Suvinder Vicky’s fiercely realistic portrayal combined to create magic.
The murder of an NRI creates ripples among the public and the media alike. Two cops, Balbir and Garundi, get the responsibility to find the culprits.
However, as the investigation unfolds, they find themselves in a dark hole. You have to watch it for so many things.
Please forgive me for keeping it at 10, but I had so many dilemmas to deal with.
Number of Episodes: 6
Total Duration: ~5 hours
Stars: Barun Sobti and Suvinder Vicky
9. Scoop
You cannot have a Top 15 list without a Hansal Mehta masterpiece. Scoop is one of those experiences that define the times we live in.
It is loosely based on the real-life story of Jigna Vora, a journalist who was arrested for the murder of another journalist.
Sounds intriguing? It does to me, for sure.
So, the plot takes us back to the time when news about the underworld kingpins like Dawood Ibrahim used to be a regular discussion in households.
For journalists, it was about who would break the latest information first.
Scoop puts the ethos of journalism against its opposite ends while unraveling the trauma Jigna Vora had to face.
Able performances from Karishma Tanna and Zeeshan Ayyub will surely win you over.
And don’t blame me for shedding a tear or two while watching the end credits of Scoop.
Number of Episodes: 6
Total Duration: ~6 Hours
Stars: Karishma Tanna, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub
8. The Fall of the House of Usher
Woah! I know you were wondering when this show will appear here.
Keep calm, I am not going to keep a good production out.
Those who haven’t watched it: what are you waiting for, guys?
The American series is based on a short story by Edgar Allan Poe with obvious enhancements for cinematic resonance.
After all the members of his family die in the most gruesome manner one by one, Roderick Usher decides to make a confession that goes all the way into his dark past.
The show is more suspenseful than you can imagine. Its traits of horror are subtle whereas the underlying mysteries make up for an enthralling watch.
The quiet, the calm, the buildups! Everything is fantastic. And who can forget the ‘Lemon Analogy?’
Don’t miss it at any cost.
Number of Episodes: 8
Total Duration: ~8 hours.
Stars: Carla Gugino, Bruce Greenwood
7. Class Act
The number seven on my list is a fictionalized account of Bernard Tapie’s life.
I rarely remember names of historical figures and the fact that I know his is why I have put Class Act ahead of The Fall of the House of Usher.
Tapie was a prominent figure in French public life. At his peak, he owned a football club, became a minister in the government, and even bought Adidas.
People loved him while scandals never left his side. Class Act depicts his unbelievable journey from being a dreamer to suffering because of his over-the-top ambitions.
The best part is that the French show never becomes dull even though it is based on real life.
I mean, it is not a murder mystery or a thriller or a comedy show. Still, keeps you glued to the screen.
Number of Episodes: 7
Total Duration: ~6 hours
Stars: Laurent Lafitte, Josephine Japy
6. Song of the Bandits
There were two Korean shows in 2023 that depicted Japanese intrusions back in the day.
Song of the Bandits is the first of them and, interestingly, both are on this list. Like its name, the series actually is like a song that you fall in love with.
Every bit of the story is woven beautifully. The makers have crafted it like pure magic and not watching it would be a huge mistake.
Song of the Bandits shares the journey of Lee Yoon who forms a bandit group to fight for the freedom of the Joseon community.
And no, it isn’t a heroic presentation but a wholly natural one. You have to watch it to believe it.
Number of Episodes: 9
Total Duration: ~9 hours
Stars: Kim Nam-gil, Seohyun
5. Kaala Paani
There is yet to be an original show, not based on any book or real-life incidents, that made me doubt my conscience, apart from Kaala Paani.
The series is a reminder of how quickly times can change.
A deadly, contagious water-borne disease grips an island in the Andaman & Nicobar region.
To save lives, the administration induces a lockdown with several tourists stuck without any help.
Many families are separated and several lives are at stake in this survival drama that thrills without any strings.
The depth of the storyline plus the focus on the tribal traditions make up for a scintillating series.
Also, the emotional base is beautifully stitched together. It will compel you to feel for the characters.
Moreover, you will question the choices they make and the logic behind certain actions.
Judging them would be an unavoidable peril you will go through as a viewer.
At the time of writing, Kaala Paani is trending at number 6 on Netflix, even after over three months of its release.
Number of Episodes: 7
Total Duration: ~7 hours
Stars: Mona Singh, Sukant Goel, Amey Wagh.
4. All the Light We Cannot See
Number four is a show that made me feel proud. When the Nazis take control of France, a blind girl sets up a radio channel to send coded messages to those fighting for freedom.
However, forget about sending messages, even operating a radio is illegal by the order of Hitler.
When a German soldier hears her voice for the first time, he instantly feels a connection.
Can Hitler’s inhumane policies be trumped by someone who cannot see?
My respect for the show increased further when I learned that Aria Mia Loberti, who plays the blind girl, is actually visionless in real life.
The intricate storyline is the best aspect of the series, which is based on the novel by Anthony Doerr.
Number of Episodes: 4
Total Duration: ~4 hours
Stars: Aria Mia Loberti, Louis Hofmann, Mark Ruffalo
3. Dear Child
Goosebumps guaranteed, trust me! Germany’s love for thrillers is well known and Dear Child continues the legacy quite brilliantly.
The show is built with finesse and has a growing sense of suspense throughout the narration.
It starts with a hit-and-run incident that leads the cops to a missing person’s case from thirteen years ago.
One after another, the pages of mystery reveal themselves, eventually giving us enough to stand in awe of Dear Child’s execution.
The storytelling peaks on more than many occasions. And the bewildering background score enhances the series to higher levels.
Once again, it is based on a novel.
Number of Episodes: 6
Total Duration: ~5 hours
Stars: Kim Riedle, Naila Schuberth, Sammy Schrein
2. The Railway Men
When human lives fall prey to the greed of corporations and politicians, a tragedy is bound to occur.
That’s what happened in Bhopal in 1984 after the leakage of methyl isocyanate.
Infamously known as the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, the terrifying event took thousands of innocent lives with itself.
The Railway Men brings the real-life story of the staff of a railway station in Bhopal that became a symbol of hope and resilience back then.
It narrates how the station master made it his life’s goal to save as many people as he could till he was alive.
The ominous screenplay breaks your heart and leaves you gasping for breath.
It plays in your head for days and even today (at the time of writing), the Indian show is trending at number 2 on Netflix. Astonishing!
Number of Episodes: 4
Total Duration: ~4 hours
Stars: Kay Kay Menon, Divyendu, Babil Khan
1. Bodies
The riveting and electrifying Sci-fi creation from the UK finds the top spot in my list of Netflix’s 15 best shows of 2023.
Why, you may ask, and I would say, watch it to believe it. Four protagonists find four dead bodies in four different timelines.
However, the man they find dead is the same. Henceforth, four murder investigations are launched in the years 1890, 1941, 2023, and 2053.
Puzzling? Well, the enrapturing series will test your acuity and leave you in awe right from the word go.
It will take over your mind, body, and soul like a spell that never goes away.
You will be left stunned by the exemplary storytelling, especially in the first half. Just don’t miss this one at all.
Number of Episodes: 8
Total Duration: ~7.5 hours
Stars: Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, Shira Haas, Amaka Okafor
So, that was it from my end. It took a while to craft this list of the best Netflix shows of 2023. I only hope you like it.
However, feel free to add on or put out suggestions for me in the comments section. Please don’t take this as a verdict or judgment.
These are simply my recommendations from a very personal point of view.
Happy New Year, everyone! Stay blessed.
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