The beauty of OTT platforms is that it provides you with a wealth of genre options. Be it action, comedy, thriller or horror, they have it all under one platform. But sometimes, a slow-burn drama is your best option because they always have something new to talk about. To help you choose, we have curated a list of the best drama movies on Netflix and Amazon Prime. These movies are slightly off-beat but definitely worth watching.
The Mustang
IMDb Rating: 6.9/10
Available on: Netflix
The Mustang (2019) is a heart-warming drama movie about second chances. Roman Coleman is convicted for domestic violence that permanently leaves his partner brain damaged. At the behest of his prison therapist, Roman joins a rehabilitation program run by rancher Myles. As part of the program, Roman is required to tame and train wild horses, which are later sold at auctions. At first, he struggles to connect with the horse but with the help of his fellow inmates, especially Henry, Roman is able to make progress, forging friendships as well as mending his relationship with his daughter Martha.
As he spends more time in the rehabilitation program, Roman learns to confront his violent past. The best part about the movie is Matthias’ powerful performance as a prisoner trying to rehabilitate himself. His character is a man of few words and with his facial expression throughout the movie, it is clear that he is not good with people, often trying very hard to keep his temper in check. There is very little substantial dialogue, but that does not make the movie unworthy of watching. It is the silence and the connection between man and animal that makes The Mustang a must-watch. It’s a simple, soulful movie that is beautifully shot.
Private Life
IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
Available on: Netflix
Paul Giamatti is one of our favourite actors who often plays likeable characters. Private Life (2018) is a story about a couple, Rachel and Richard, who are desperate to become parents. They struggle to have a baby because they are in their 40s, and Richard has only one testicle, which happens to be blocked. The story is about the couple’s obsession to have a baby which directly affects their relationship and day-to-day life. The movie touches upon a difficult subject but is hilariously made, thanks to writer/director Tamara Jenkins, and the flawless performance by Giamatti and Hahn. Their work makes the movie appear more relatable because it’s a story about recognisable, present-day adults. The makers don’t use infertility as a fun plot but rather highlight the technicalities and the long, hard process involved with IVF, egg donation and adoption. The film is filled with dark humour and emotion – a must watch!
Uncle Frank
IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
Available on: Amazon Prime
Uncle Frank (2020), one of the most beautiful movies from last year, is a comedy-drama film starring Paul Bettany and Sophia Lillis. Set in the 1970s, the movie is about Frank and Beth, who first appear in a small town named Creekville, celebrating the birthday of Frank’s father. Fast forward four years – Beth visits her favourite family member, uncle Frank in New York and realises he is gay and has been secretly living with his partner Wally. What follows is a road trip back home due to a family tragedy. The road trip allows Frank to come to terms with a traumatic event from his past. Alan Ball, who won Oscars for Best Original Screenplay for American Beauty, brings us a really heartwarming movie. Both Bettany and Lillis gave great performances, but for us, Macdissi stole the show with his portrayal of Wally, who only wishes to be part of a family and is willing to risk everything for his partner Frank.
Captain Fantastic
IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
Available on: Amazon Prime
Captain Fantastic (2016) is a drama movie that centres around a family who live in the wild, away from society. The parents, Ben and Leslie, are against the idea of capitalism and choose to raise their kids by instilling survival skills and encouraging them to read philosophy, to be physically fit, think critically and co-exist with nature. Soon, the family is forced to move out of the wilderness and reintegrate into society, leading to unexpected twists.
Captain Fantastic is original and thought-provoking. However, the real highlight was in the performances, especially that of Viggo Mortensen. He is tailor-made to play the character of Ben, who is stubborn, single-minded, but at the same time kind and loving. The film questions the parenting methods and looks at the cost of idealism. At times the movie oversimplifies the core parenting arguments that are at the centre of the plot. But eventually, director Matt Ross does a good job of coming up with a unique family drama/comedy.
A Prayer Before Dawn
IMDb Rating: 6.9/10
Available on: Netflix
A Prayer Before Dawn is a biographical drama film that focuses on Billy Moore, a British boxer who gets arrested in Thailand for possession of drugs. It is based on the book A Prayer Before Dawn: My Nightmare in Thailand’s Prisons written by Billy Moore. The plot revolves around Billy’s time in one of the most notorious prisons in the world where, to survive, he again indulges in drug use but soon realises that the only way to survive in prison is by taking up boxing and participating in Muay Thai tournaments.
The camera work in the movie never shies away from showing the brutality and filth in the Thai prisons where heavily tattooed inmates go to extreme lengths to survive the ordeal. Joe Cole (who also portrays as John Shelby in Peaky Blinders) gives an incredible performance as one can feel the rage, the pain and the restlessness created by the use of drugs. In all, A Prayer Before Dawn is an immersive audio-visual experience that is neither a boxing movie nor a typical prison drama but has its own unique style.