5 Absolutely Must Watch Netflix Documentaries Of 2019

Angelique Thakur
Nov 7 · 6 min read
Netflix, netflix documentary, documentary, netflix original, tell me who i am, travis scott, unnatural selection, great hack
Netflix, netflix documentary, documentary, netflix original, tell me who i am, travis scott, unnatural selection, great hack
5 Must Watch Netflix Documentaries of 2019

One really cool feature of Pay TV is it has made documentaries more accessible than ever before. Netflix in particular boasts of a large collection of documentaries- some of them very engaging and thought provoking. Below are five of my personal favorites released in 2019 across a wide variety of genres. Check out — five ABSOLUTELY must watch Netflix documentaries of 2019.

Netflix 2019 Documentary No#1Tell me Who I am

Tell Me Who I Am, Netflix 2019, Documentary, Alex Lewis, Sexual Abuse, Netflix documentary
Tell Me Who I Am, Netflix 2019, Documentary, Alex Lewis, Sexual Abuse, Netflix documentary
Tell Me Who I Am — Poster (Netflix)

Straight up- this is not an easy documentary to watch. A part of you would wish it was pure fiction (which it isn’t). It is the story of Alex Lewis, who was in a bike accident-induced-coma at the age of 18 that left him with no memory whatsoever of his past except for one face- that of Marcus, his twin brother. It was on Marcus that Alex relied to find out his life story. Marcus narrated the story of a very well-to-do family with loving and understanding parents. Except the story was just that- a story. The reality was completely different- that theirs was a dysfunctional family with the twins sexually abused for years at the hands of their own mother. Coupled with the fact that it deals with one of the most difficult topics- child sexual abuse, what makes Tell Me Who I am exceptionally horrendous and heartbreaking is that the abuse was perpetrated by their own mother. What happens when Alex finds out the truth? What was Marcus’s motivation in fabricating a completely false life for his brother? How did they cope with something they had no control over? It is the climax which leaves you horrified- when you realize just what these men had to endure as little boys. It also leaves you in wonder on the human will to survive and be able hope for a better tomorrow. Check Tell Me Who I am Trailer now.

Netflix 2019 Documentary No#2Travis Scott: Look Mom I Can Fly

Look Mom I can Fly — Astroworld (Source- Netflix)

Even if you do not know who Travis is or don’t care for “his kind of music”, you should watch this one for the sheer passion it portrays. This Netflix Original shows the journey of Travis Scott aka Jacques Berman Webster II- one of the most popular rap artists of our times with a surprisingly low-key public profile. In a generation obsessed with self-obsession, Travis has maintained an almost recluse-like image and this gives this documentary an edge for the insights it provides into his life. We follow Travis on a journey that takes us to his childhood home as he recalls his early years living with his grandma. We also get a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse of the cut-throat industry he is in. You feel a myriad of emotions- your heart goes out to him when he does not win at the Grammys but you also feel annoyed for the way he treated his then girlfriend. At the same time, you find yourself appreciating him for relentlessly pursuing his passion and acknowledge that while he may not have won the Grammys, his real win is gathering a massive cult-like following. You have to see to believe the hysteria-inducing power he exhibits over his fans. Check the Travis Scott: Look Mom I Can Fly Trailer now.

Netflix 2019 Documentary No#3 Unnatural Selection

Unnatural Selection — Poster (Netflix)

Years back, the Jurassic Park introduced us to a fascinating if unreal concept of recreating the biggest creatures to have ever walked the Earth. From this documentary dealing with genetic modification, it seems the unreal concept is no longer so unreal. It depicts how we are well on our way to refute Charles Darwin’s theory of Natural Selection (and hence the fascinating title). What if we did not need to wait for many generations to rectify a bad trait? If you had the option of not passing along a certain strain of diabetes running in the family over to your kids, would you do it? Would it be fair if only some have access to such privileges while the others do not? What could be the repercussions of making such super babies? These are some of the questions this superb documentary deals with. While Genetic Engineering has come a long way, it has also raised a plethora of ethical questions. It also shows the impact of this technology on subjects related to diseases, vegetation and even weaponization of this technology. Unnatural Selection is an attempt to show how advancement in this field can genuinely make a difference — the inability to conceive for example, while also highlighting questions on the morality of it all. This fascinating series gives you food for thought and you would surely be mulling over it well after it is over. Check the Unnatural Selection Trailer now.

Netflix 2019 Documentary No#4 The Great Hack

The great hack, netflix the great hack review, netflix documentary, Cambridge analytica, Social media Trump elections, Putin
The great hack, netflix the great hack review, netflix documentary, Cambridge analytica, Social media Trump elections, Putin
The Great Hack — Poster (Netflix)

This is an eye-opening, jaw dropping piece which highlights the infamous Cambridge Analytica scandal and makes us painfully aware of just how vulnerable we are to being socially monitored. It reminded me of George Orwell’s 1984- the ubiquitous monitoring except it is not limited to the government anymore and uses methods far more subtle and dangerous than we could ever imagine. The Great Hack brings to surface the ugly truth behind social networking. It touches upon a variety of topics- from the US Presidential elections to questioning the validity of the Brexit decision. It recounts how a firm managed to manipulate people through something as harmless and innocuous as a simple questionnaire that people like you and me fill up all the time without even thinking. It raises a lot of questions- like whether we can have fair elections at all after this, and highlights the possibility of manipulating the fence sitters by bombarding them with content that reinforces their prejudices and plays on their weak points. On the positive side, it makes you more aware and question the veracity of things without blindly believing everything. This is a must watch for everybody. I now think twice before ‘allowing access’ to my account by any app I download. Check the Great Hack Trailer now.

Netflix 2019 Documentary No#5 The Devil Next Door

The devil next door, netflix 2019, netflix documentary, Nazi camp, john demjanjuk, Ivan the terrible, Netflix original
The devil next door, netflix 2019, netflix documentary, Nazi camp, john demjanjuk, Ivan the terrible, Netflix original

The word Holocaust still evokes strong reactions from all and for a good reason. This documentary narrates the story of John Demjanjuk who was accused of being a Nazi concentration camp guard named Ivan Marchenko in Poland. A Ukranian by birth and subsequently a US citizen, Demjanjuk was given the death sentence by an Israeli court in 1988. This was later overturned due to lack of evidence confirming his identity. The docu-series takes the viewers through the subsequent events and makes for a riveting tale. The series mostly focuses on whether Demjanjuk or ‘Ivan the Terrible’ as he was called by prisoners was who they thought he was. It gives an honest and unbiased account of the details surrounding the issue. Check The Devil Next Door Trailer now.

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