Netflix has confirmed its slate of original content for this week. And I've found a handful of new arrivals that subscribers will want to consider adding to their watchlist. The highlight of the next few days is definitely the return of romantic drama “Virgin River.” I haven't watched the show myself, but any Netflix series that manages to get seven seasons is very clearly doing something right.
Other top picks include a new Louis Theroux documentary exploring the controversial “Manosphere” and a new coming-of-age movie. So, let’s dive into the list. Here are some of the biggest new Netflix exclusives you can watch this week.
'Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere'
Award-winning documentarian Louis Theroux’s latest project sees him explore the so-called “Manosphere,” described as “a group of almost exclusively male influencers who provide content about fitness, business, and self-improvement.” While that might seem relatively harmless on the surface, there is a sinister side to this movement, as figures on the fringe of the community often present and promote extreme views to their followers.
For this documentary, Theroux spends time with popular, highly controversial social media influencers and podcasters within the Mansphere to gain insight into this growing 21st-century trend and to examine the ripple effect of such a concerning worldview. In classic Theroux style, the documentary has an element of fun, but covers a serious topic without pulling punches. This looks like a must-watch for teenagers and parents alike.
Watch "Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere" on Netflix from March 11
'Made in Korea'
Netflix is lacking any major English-language original movies this week, but this is where the service’s steady stream of international efforts can be relied upon to fill the void. “Made in Korea” is one such movie. Yes, you’ll need to watch with subtitles (though a dub track may be available, should subtitles be a dealbreaker), but don’t let that dissuade you from giving this cross-cultural coming-of-age story a chance, as it looks like a movie worth watching.
Shenba (Priyanka Mohan), a woman from a small town in Tamil Nadu, moves to Seoul, South Korea, a longstanding dream of hers. But shortly after arriving in the city, Shenba is left all alone in this unfamiliar setting. But through new connections, personal strength and self-discovery, she starts to find a second home in this vibrant country thousands of miles away.
Watch "Made in Korea" on Netflix from March 12
‘Virgin River’ season 7
I won’t pretend to be an expert when it comes to Netflix’s “Virgin River,” but seeing as the soap opera-style show is about to debut its seventh season, it’s very clear that a whole lot of Netflix subscribers can’t get enough of its oddly comforting melodrama. Netflix has also confirmed that this new season “starts with a shocking death,” which is almost certainly enough to have longtime fans counting down the minutes until they can hit the play button.
Naturally, “Virgin River” season 7 picks up where the previous season concluded, with nurse practitioner Mel (Alexandra Breckenridge) and bar owner Jack (Martin Henderson) tying the knot after a romantic entanglement that has spanned the show’s entire run to date. But their first steps into married life won’t be blissful, as there’s an unresolved cliffhanger to address.
Watch "Virgin River" season 7 on Netflix from March 12
