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I’m a sucker for a good documentary.

These days, the biggest budget Hollywood movies tend to be franchise films or reboots of old classics, neither of which really tickles my fancy.

If I come across a headline with the words ‘best documentaries’, I’ll almost certainly bite. Some lists are best left alone but CNET’s list, focusing exclusively on documentaries that are currently available on Netflix, is worth a mention.

Rather than dabble in ones you’ve likely seen (The Tinder Swindler, The Most Hated Man on the Internet, The Last Dance, and so on), I’ll select four that may have flown under your radar.

The Great Hack (2019)

In the wake of the Capitol siege, the Facebook/Cambridge Analytica controversy almost feels like ancient history, but that doesn’t make this documentary any less important. If you haven’t seen it, then watch it.

At the very least, it will make you reconsider your privacy settings on Facebook.

The River Runner (2021)

The River Runner is sorta like Free Solo for kayaking. Consider that a compliment.

Focusing on Scott Lindgren, a kayaking legend who was a pioneer of the sport, this is a traditional story of an extreme sports star overcoming odds, but it runs a little deeper than that. Fighting against a brain tumor and his own personal demons, Lindgren is a compelling case study. Must watch stuff.

Tick off 14 Peaks, tick off Free Solo (which isn’t on Netflix), and then you’re good to go:

Jimmy Savile: A British Horror Story (2022)

It’s almost impossible to overstate how famous Jimmy Savile was in the UK — particularly in the 1980s. He was beyond a household name, in many ways he felt like an eccentric uncle to the nation.

Which made revelations that he had sexually assaulted hundreds of underage girls and boys all the more horrific. This was a person the whole of Britain had invited into their homes.

Looking back now, it’s staggering to think of how the scale of his abuse went unchecked for so long.

Rather than finishing on that depressing note, let’s end with something likely to bring a smile to your face.

The Speed Cubers (2020)

[It offers] a look at the world of competitive… Rubik’s Cubers? It’s short, but packs an incredible emotional punch. Prepare yourself, this one might break you.

Discover the special bond — and uncommon competitive spirit — shared by the world’s Rubik’s Cube-solving record breakers in this documentary.

It’s only 40 minutes long, which is roughly the amount of time you were going to spend scrawling through Netflix to find something to watch.

I found out this week that there are websites which help you solve Rubik’s Cubes.

You might say that takes away the fun. I disagree because we all know the real reward comes in showing your child (or partner) that you have finally vanquished your Rubik’s demons.

This list of the greatest documentaries ever made is also worth a look.

[source:cnet]