My Summer Netflix Watching

Since June it has been very hot outside, so my husband and I decided to invest in the cheapest Netflix subscription. We have been using it every weekend, sometimes together and sometimes on my own. Here are the TV series and movies I watched, along with my impressions, ratings, and notes about who they are suitable for.

1. Better Call Saul / Breaking Bad / El Camino (Movie)

Summary: These three are connected stories about crime, drugs, and complicated characters in the U.S. Southwest. Breaking Bad tells the story of a teacher turned drug dealer, Better Call Saul is about a lawyer who bends the rules, and El Camino continues the story after Breaking Bad.
My Feelings: I had mixed feelings about the content—there was a lot of violence and drug use—but also some funny moments. Watching with my husband was interesting because sometimes the Japanese subtitles didn’t fully capture the English humor or meaning, which made me reflect on translation.
My Rating: ★★★★☆½ (4.5/5)
Viewer Suitability: Age 16+ (language, violence, drugs).

2. One Piece (Live Action, Season 1)

Summary: A live-action version of the famous manga and anime about pirates searching for treasure.
My Feelings: I loved this adaptation! The actors and story stayed true to the anime and manga, and it felt accurate and alive.
My Rating: ★★★★☆½ (4.5/5)
Viewer Suitability: PG-13.

3. The Residence (Limited Series, 8 episodes)

Summary: A comedy-mystery set in the White House where investigators try to solve a crime with many quirky suspects.
My Feelings: I love when comedy and mystery are mixed together, and this show gave me exactly that. Light but fun.
My Rating: ★★★★☆½ (4.5/5)
Viewer Suitability: Age 13+.

4. Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency (Seasons 1–2)

Summary: A strange but funny science-fiction detective series with supernatural twists, time travel, and lots of chaos.
My Feelings: A fun, wild ride—sometimes violent, but always entertaining. I enjoyed the mix of comedy, sci-fi, and mystery.
My Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Viewer Suitability: PG-14.

5. There Are Murders (Limited Series, 5 episodes)

Summary: A foreign-language murder mystery based on novels, with lots of atmosphere and suspense.
My Feelings: I love foreign-made mysteries, especially when they are connected to books. This one kept me guessing.
My Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Viewer Suitability: Age 16+.

6. The Perfect Couple (Limited Series)

Summary: Based on a novel, this series explores a wedding weekend that turns into a murder investigation.
My Feelings: I love TV shows based on books, and the actors here really brought the story to life.
My Rating: ★★★★☆½ (4.5/5)
Viewer Suitability: PG-13.

7. 3 Body Problem (Season 1)

Summary: A science-fiction story based on the famous novel by Liu Cixin, involving mysterious signals from space, advanced technology, and humanity’s future.
My Feelings: Amazing! The adaptation captured the big ideas of the book really well. Exciting and thought-provoking.
My Rating: ★★★★☆½ (4.5/5)
Viewer Suitability: PG-14.

8. The Fall of the House of Usher (Limited Series)

Summary: A modern horror inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s stories, about a powerful but cursed family.
My Feelings: Scary but in a good way—if you like horror, this one delivers with atmosphere and shocking moments.
My Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Viewer Suitability: Adults only (18+).

✅ Tip for Students: Try watching shows or movies in English with subtitles in your own language first. The second time, switch to English subtitles. You will notice how much more you understand and how translation sometimes changes the meaning!