October 23, 2026

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5 modern masterpieces that flew under the radar

Hi, friend! Welcome back to Worth the Watch. One of the great tragedies of the entertainment industry is that not every incredible movie or show receives the attention it deserves. Everyone has heard about (and likely watched) classics like Breaking Bad, Hacks, and Spirited Away. But do you know about gems like I Know This Much Is True, American Honey, and Short Term 12? Maybe your answer is yes (in which case, we should be friends), but odds are, you haven’t been put on to these underappreciated modern masterpieces.

It's funny how that works, isn't it? Some movies and shows become cultural phenomena—like the crazy new Nathan Fielder documentary You Can See Everything—while others that are every bit as brilliant never get the recognition they deserve. And while I can't single-handedly change that, I can certainly do my part to spread the word. After all, few things bring me more joy than introducing a friend to an incredible movie or show and hearing how much they loved it afterward. So today, I'm sharing five overlooked modern masterpieces that deserve a whole lot more attention. Let’s get into it!

Still from American Honey

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What constitutes a masterpiece, anyway?

A trend that has become a pet peeve of mine is the norm of labeling all new movies and shows as either cinematic masterpieces or disastrous abominations, with nothing in between. It’s totally fine for a movie to be, well, fine. So to be clear, I’m not being hyperbolic when I call these movies and shows masterpieces. They are, in my opinion, truly outstanding pieces of cinema and television that are a noteworthy achievement for one reason or another. They’re more than just good–they’re essential viewing for anyone who appreciates the art of filmmaking. And don’t worry, these aren’t pretentious, snobby films that only critics love. They're five incredible movies and shows that I genuinely believe have something to offer everyone.

One of the funniest horror movies of all time

Tucker and Dale vs. Evil

Streaming on Peacock

Affable hillbillies Tucker and Dale are on vacation at their dilapidated mountain cabin when they are mistaken for murderers by a group of preppy college students.

Watch trailer

Sure, Tucker and Dale vs. Evil isn’t the deepest cut on this list, but a surprising number of people have never even heard of it, which is a shame! It’s a hilarious parody of backwoods slasher movies that flips the genre’s tropes on their head by making the stereotypical murderous hillbillies the innocent victims and the terrified college students the real threat.

Of course, none of this would work nearly as well without Alan Tudyk and Tyler Labine, perfectly cast as the lovable, innocent idiots. Watching these two well-meaning goofballs stumble through increasingly absurd situations while the college kids take everything deadly seriously is comedy gold. If you’re looking for a silly horror comedy to watch leading up to Halloween, I cannot recommend this movie highly enough.

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One that was ahead of its time

After Yang

Streaming free on Tubi

In a near future, a family reckons with questions of love, connection, and loss after their AI helper unexpectedly breaks down.

Watch trailer

You may remember me singing the praises of Columbus, a bittersweet “sad boy” movie, in a recent edition of Worth the Watch. A few years later, director Kogonada followed up that perfect fall film with After Yang, an equally tranquil sci-fi drama that feels more relevant today than ever. Don’t get me wrong, the film was well-received back in 2021, but I think its exploration of identity, human connection, and our increasingly complicated relationship with artificial intelligence hits even harder in 2026, as AI becomes an inescapable part of our everyday lives.

Colin Farrell gives a wonderfully understated performance, the cinematography is gorgeous, and the beautiful score ties everything together (and makes me cry). It's a moving meditation on love, loss, and what it means to be human.

One that will melt your brain

Devs

Streaming on Hulu and Disney+

Young computer engineer Lily Chan investigates the secretive development division of her employer, a cutting-edge tech company based in San Francisco, which she believes is behind the murder of her boyfriend.

Watch on Hulu or Disney+

Devs is what you’d get if Black Mirror, Dark, and The Matrix had a baby. It’s a deeply philosophical show that explores determinism vs. free will, different interpretations of quantum mechanics, and the idea that we may be living in a simulation—and if we are, we would have no way of knowing. The series critiques big tech and how tech leaders try to play God, which resonates now even more than it did when it premiered in 2020. Buckle up, it’s a wild ride!

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One mind-blowing docuseries

Chimp Empire

Streaming on Netflix

A vast community of chimpanzees thrives in a forest in Uganda, navigating complex social politics, family dynamics and dangerous territory disputes.

Watch trailer

What if I told you that one of the most gripping political dramas of the past decade wasn't about humans at all? Narrated by Mahershala Ali, Chimp Empire follows two rival factions of chimpanzees and gives the viewer unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to their lives. But what's perhaps even more fascinating is how this extraordinary documentary was made. Thanks to nearly 30 years of scientific research, the chimpanzees had become so accustomed to humans that the camera crew could essentially live among them without disrupting their behavior. The chimps knew the filmmakers were there, but as long as the humans kept their distance, they simply ignored them.

At the risk of sounding pretentious, moments in this series genuinely made me reflect on how deeply connected we are to chimpanzees. From the eerily familiar social dynamics to the uncanny resemblance between baby chimps and human infants, it's impossible not to recognize a little of ourselves in these animals. Admittedly, I may have gotten a bit too philosophical while watching, but I'm going to chalk that up to the fact that it was April 20th, if you know what I mean. Regardless, Chimp Empire is an extraordinary achievement in documentary filmmaking that deserves a much bigger audience.

One with top-tier screenwriting

Michael Clayton

Available to rent on Prime Video

A law firm brings in its "fixer" to remedy the situation after a lawyer has a breakdown while representing a chemical company that he knows is guilty in a multi-billion-dollar class action suit.

Watch on Prime Video

In cinephile circles, this underappreciated George Clooney flick is often praised for having one of the best screenplays ever written. That level of praise made me skeptical, so I had to check it out to see for myself. To my surprise, it really is that strong. Michael Clayton is a legal thriller that drops you straight into the action, with very little explanation of what's going on. Yet somehow, it never feels confusing. The film is a masterclass in exposition, using natural, believable dialogue to gradually reveal everything we need to know without ever stopping to spell it all out.

In addition to the razor-sharp screenplay, the acting is also phenomenal. Tilda Swinton won her first Oscar for her portrayal of a ruthless corporate attorney, and George Clooney is at the top of his game all the way through. It’s one of the best films about the banality of evil in corporate America, so if you enjoy explorations of institutional corruption, Michael Clayton is worth the watch.

John Farrar, the guy who watches everything @ Pix Media

John Farrar went to film school, spent a few years as an editor, then accidentally built an audience online by sharing his passion for cinema. He covers film and TV for Pix Media, interviews the people behind some of your favorite shows and movies, and has never once successfully talked himself out of buying a movie ticket.