Being in Netflix’s top 10 doesn’t guarantee a movie is worth your time. With Ryan Reynolds leading and a chilling premise on paper, it’s easy to buy into the hype. “The Captive” randomly dropped onto the platform this past week and quickly climbed the charts. But this mystery thriller leans into garish melodrama, anchored by a weak story that spirals into something borderline ridiculous.
Welcome to Watch This, Not That, a column where we dig into the latest streaming top 10 picks, call out the one lackluster title you should skip, and highlight the better alternative you absolutely should watch instead.
“The Captive” follows a father whose young daughter vanishes, shattering his family. Years later, clues suggest she’s alive, as police uncover a disturbing abduction network while he obsessively searches for the truth behind her disappearance. Back in 2014, the movie was a total box office bomb, earning just $2 million worldwide and a 28% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
But let me save you the trouble. I sift through the charts, call out the duds, and point you toward what’s actually worth watching. Right now, a far more gripping Ryan Reynolds thriller is on Prime Video, and that’s “Buried.”
‘Buried’ is one of the most intense thrillers I’ve watched
“Buried” is the movie I’d recommend watching instead. This 2010 thriller sees Reynolds trying to survive in a very claustrophobic space. Everything unfolds in one location for greater effect: a coffin. The movie opens with his character Paul waking inside, skipping the capture entirely, which instantly ratchets up tension. Viewers, like Paul, can’t help but yearn for sunlight and a glimpse of freedom.
Director Rodrigo Cortés masterfully uses the coffin’s cramped confines, making “Buried” a relentless study in the terror of being trapped in a tiny space. The premise may seem limiting for general audiences, but there are plenty of clever twists to keep that suspense high. This movie ends up being a brilliant thriller, using space and perspective to trap you alongside the protagonist.
Reynolds is the sole on-screen presence in “Buried,” with the rest of the cast appearing only as voices through Paul’s phone. This immense responsibility falls squarely on Reynolds’ shoulders, and the usually comedy-focused actor rises to the challenge. His commitment makes Paul’s harrowing ordeal fully compelling, keeping you invested in his desperate fight for survival from the very first moment. However, that does mean you have no choice but to experience the same level of stress.
“Buried” follows American truck driver Paul Conroy (Reynolds), who wakes to find himself buried alive in a wooden coffin in Iraq with only a lighter, a cell phone, and a few small items to aid him. As he attempts to contact the outside world and piece together what happened, he faces a desperate race against time for rescue while his limited air supply and dwindling cell phone battery become ever more critical.
While “The Captive” might still be holding strong in Netflix’s top 10, its frustrating plot (often implausible, overly convoluted, and self-indulgent) makes it a miss. It’s even more disappointing when a movie is beautifully shot but let down by everything else. “Buried” on Prime Video, however, is a must-watch. One of Ryan Reynolds’ best performances, it wrings gripping drama and tension from a single-location setup, making it the thriller to stream instead.
Stream "Buried" on Prime Video now
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Being in Prime Video’s top 10 doesn’t automatically make a movie worth watching. With a star like Liam Neeson fronting the story and an explosive poster to match, it’s easy to get caught up in the hype. “Blacklight” landed on the streaming service at the start of the year and has only now appeared in the charts. But this action-thriller never manages to be interesting or entertaining, a fact already evident from its lackluster theatrical run back in 2022.
Welcome to Watch This, Not That, a column where we dig into the latest streaming top 10 picks, call out the one lackluster title you should skip, and highlight the better alternative you absolutely should watch instead.
“Blacklight” stars Liam Neeson as Travis Block, a shadowy government fixer who uncovers a secret FBI program targeting innocent citizens. Teaming with journalist Mira Jones, he must expose the deadly conspiracy while protecting his family from those who want the truth buried, forcing him to confront corruption and fight to survive. The movie was widely derided, earning a dismal 12% on the Rotten Tomatoes, with the site’s critics consensus even reading “turn it off.”
But let me spare you the headache. I dig through the top charts, flag the disappointments, and steer you toward the picks that are actually worth your time. Right now, a sharper, more entertaining action-thriller is streaming on Netflix: “Cold Pursuit.”
‘Cold Pursuit’ is an unexpected twist on a classic revenge story
A smarter pick to stream instead is “Cold Pursuit.” This 2019 action-thriller follows Liam Neeson in another round of revenge, this time in snowy Colorado, and it’s every bit as entertaining as that premise promises. Neeson’s status as an action star is firmly established. Ever since 2008’s “Taken,” he’s appeared in more thrillers than can easily be counted. Yet when he’s paired with a tight, well-executed project, the outcome is usually highly compelling.
“Cold Pursuit” is actually a remake of the Norwegian film “In Order of Disappearance,” and in a rare move, original director Hans Petter Moland returned to helm the English-language version. That continuity gives the movie a level of authenticity missing from many Hollywood remakes. The story doesn’t exactly stretch Neeson since he’s played vengeful parents before, and the good-guy-turned-avenger trope fits neatly within his wheelhouse. But Neeson’s commanding on-screen presence makes it satisfying to watch him systematically take down very bad men.
“Cold Pursuit” follows Nels Coxman (Neeson), a quiet snowplow driver in a Colorado ski town who loses his son under suspicious circumstances and sets out to find those responsible. Believing a ruthless drug lord and his crew are to blame, he methodically hunts them down one by one. As his vendetta grows, so does the violence, plunging him deeper into a treacherous criminal world.
While “Blacklight” might be climbing Prime Video’s top 10, its poorly written plot and lack of meaningful thrills make it a frustrating watch for action-thriller fans. Not to mention it’s one of Neeson’s weakest outings. “Cold Pursuit” on Netflix, however, delivers a tight, darkly comic revenge story with brutal action and a clever twist on the classic underworld showdown. If you want a smarter, more entertaining thriller featuring the seasoned actor, this is the one to stream instead on Netflix.
Stream "Cold Pursuit" on Netflix now
